The colon (:) is "les deux points" in French. It focuses the reader's attention on information that follows it. It is important to remember that you may only use a colon after an independent clause if it is used in a sentence, although titles have a different rule. You use a colon whenever more information can be expected. On this page, there are explanations for three main situations in which the colon is used: to introduce a list, to set off a quotation, and to define or clarify meaning.

One way you can use a colon is to introduce a list after a complete independent clause. Often times, readers will be expecting more information when the independent clause ends with “the following” or “as follows”:

He visited three cities during his stay in the Maritimes: Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton.

The courses I am taking this semester are as follows: English, sociology, economics, political science, and psychology.

In order to bake a cake, you need the following basic ingredients: flour, milk, eggs, and baking powder.

A second way a colon can be used is to set off a quotation:

The driving teacher left us with one last message: “Never fall asleep at the wheel!”

My best friend George left me a message on my answering machine: “Hey, it’s me. Call me back.”

My father always says the same thing when I leave: “Be careful!”

A colon can also be used to define or clarify meaning. In these examples, notice how the colon serves to throw the reader’s attention forward. An independent clause may follow the colon, although this is not necessary:

The reaction of the crowd signified only one thing: apathy.

Their lobbying efforts were ultimately useless: the bill was soundly defeated.

My mother gave me one good piece of advice: to avoid wasting time and energy worrying about things I cannot change.