TOPIC 3: Colons and Single Dashes

Colons :
*Note: The clause that comes before the colon must ALWAYS be independent.
The type of clause that comes after the colon does NOT matter.

1. Used to “present” information

o Ex: Her favorite food was unusual: snails.
o Ex: Many people like to work from home for one reason: no commute.

2. Used when the second clause explains or expands upon the first clause
(discussed briefly in “Clauses”)
o Ex: The sky was dark and cloudy: A hurricane was quickly approaching.
o Ex: Jackie has been doing well: Yesterday, she was found smiling ear-to-ear.

3. Used to create a list

o Ex: For Julie’s birthday party, I will need to pick up some items: candles, a cake,
and goodie bags.

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 *Note: We can NEVER pair a colon with the phrases “such as” or
“including” because either phrase will make the clause that comes before
the colon dependent.

o WRONG: I have many types of juice including: orange and apple.

o WRONG: I have many types of juice, such as: orange and apple.
o CORRECT: I have many types of juice: orange and apple.
o CORRECT: I have many types of juice, such as orange and apple.
§ A simple comma is correct here because it divides the sentence into a
dependent and independent clause.

Single Dashes -
1. Used to specify information or emphasize something
o Ex: The room was really hot – about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

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