When does a colon put in a sentence? It is usually used in complex sentences or where there are homogeneous terms expressed by any part of speech. In this article, we will talk about when the colon is put. So, below is a list of rules that govern the setting of this punctuation mark and specific examples. When is a colon placed?
Russian language rules
1. In the event that after the words of the author in the sentence there is direct speech. Examples:
Going to the counter, Alex said: "Please give me a bag of milk."
I thought: “Is it worth it to trust?”
If the sentence does not use direct speech and there is indirect speech (for example, “I thought it would be nice to arrive on time” ), then the colon is not used. Instead, unions and commas are used.
2. A colon is placed if two sentences are combined into one without the help of unions, and the second part reveals the meaning of the words of the first. Example:
We finally came down from the mountain and looked around: before us was a clear lake.
Two guards saw: the thieves still escaped.
3. The colon is also placed if the sentence consists of several parts (compound). There are two possible situations:
• The second part of the sentence reveals the meaning of the first. Example:
Elena turned out to be right: the only person who could stop him was his father.
Ivan did not trust him: he was afraid that Semyon would deceive him again.
• The second part describes the reason. Example:
I didn’t just trust you for no reason: you were always silent and extremely cold.
4. When is a colon placed? In a sentence after a generalizing word and before listing something with which it ends. Example:
All his relatives lived in this house: mother, father, aunt, grandmother and mother-in-law. Her apartment was so clean that everything seemed to shine: dishes, mirrors, and even the floor. In this forest there are predators: wolves, foxes and bears.
5. The colon is put in the sentence if there is an enumeration of something, but there is no generalizing word. Example:
Sticking out of the bag: wallet, documents, comb and passport.
Out of the apartment: a woman, a man and a child.
6. A colon is put in the case of listing something, the presence of a generalizing word or the following words: “like that”, “for example”, “namely”. Examples:
He had many plans for the near future, for example: buy a computer, go on a vacation and get married.
Eugene was interested in information about the city of Astrakhan, namely: when it was founded, how many inhabitants live in it and what sights there are.
Other cases
In what cases is the colon still put?
• In mathematics, as a division sign. Example: 6: 3 = 2.
• In information technology when designating computer disks. Example: D: R: and so on.
Now you know when the colon is placed, and you can safely use it. Often due to illiteracy or due to carelessness, a dash may be used instead of this punctuation mark. This is an unacceptable violation of the norms of the Russian language. And in mathematics, the division sign can be indicated by several options: 6/3 = 2 or 6: 3 = 2.