Use these colon usage sample questions to review colons before lists, explanations, quotations, subtitles, business letter salutations, and time expressions. Answer each question before opening the explanation.
Topics Covered
- Colons before lists
- Using a complete sentence before a colon
- When not to use a colon after such as
- Colons before explanations
- Colons before formally introduced quotations
- Business letter salutations
- Titles and subtitles
- Colons in time expressions
- When not to use a colon before because
Sample Questions
- A. supplies to class, such as a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.
- B. supplies to class: such as, a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.
- C. supplies to class: such as: a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.
- D. No error
Show Answer
A colon should not appear immediately after such as.
The phrase such as already introduces the examples, so no additional punctuation is needed before the list.
- A. four Cs are these, color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
- B. four Cs: are these color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
- C. four Cs are these; color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
- D. No error
Show Answer
The sentence is already correct.
The words before the colon form a complete sentence, and the colon introduces the list that follows.
- A. will be able to:
- B. The ideal candidate: will
- C. to (1): do research, (2): write articles, and (3): edit and proofread.
- D. No error
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The sentence is already correct.
A colon should not separate a verb or preposition from the words that complete its meaning. The phrase will be able to needs the listed actions to complete the thought.
- Disposable diapers
- Warm blankets
- Infant formula
- A. The following donations are especially needed.
- B. The following donations are especially needed:
- C. The following donations are especially needed,
- D. No punctuation is needed.
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The introductory words form a complete sentence and are followed by a list.
A colon is the appropriate punctuation mark before the vertical list.
- A. conclusion: the need for more research.
- B. conclusion; the need for more research.
- C. conclusion because: the need for more research.
- D. No error
Show Answer
The words before the punctuation form a complete sentence.
The phrase after the colon identifies and explains the conclusion, so a colon is appropriate.
A semicolon cannot introduce a phrase that is not an independent clause.
- A. reminder: “Preparation matters most when pressure is high.”
- B. reminder; “Preparation matters most when pressure is high.”
- C. reminder “Preparation matters most when pressure is high.”
- D. No error
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The words before the quotation form a complete sentence and formally introduce the quoted reminder.
A colon is appropriate before a quotation that is presented as an explanation or formal statement rather than integrated into the sentence’s grammar.
- A. Dear Mr. President:
- B. Dear Mr. President;
- C. Dear Mr. President—
- D. No error
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A colon is conventionally used after the salutation in a formal business letter.
A comma is more common in informal or personal correspondence.
- A. The article was titled “Urban Gardens: Growing Food in Small Spaces.”
- B. The article was titled “Urban Gardens; Growing Food in Small Spaces.”
- C. The article was titled “Urban Gardens. Growing Food in Small Spaces.”
- D. No error
Show Answer
A colon can separate a title from its subtitle.
Here, Urban Gardens is the main title and Growing Food in Small Spaces is the subtitle.
- A. ten years ago; because
- B. ten years ago, because
- C. ten years ago because
- D. No error
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A colon is not needed before because.
The subordinating conjunction because already connects the reason to the main clause.
- A. 9:30 a.m.
- B. 9,30 a.m.
- C. 9.30 a.m.
- D. No error
Show Answer
A colon separates the hour from the minutes in standard time notation.
The correct form is 9:30 a.m.
How to Use These Questions
Before choosing a colon, check whether the words before it form a complete sentence. A colon can introduce a list, explanation, or formally presented quotation, but it should not normally separate a verb or preposition from the words that complete it.
Also watch for introductory expressions that already perform the colon’s job. Words and phrases such as including, such as, and because usually do not need a colon immediately after or before them.