General rules:

  • Colons are most commonly used at the end of a sentence to introduce texts, tabulations and lists.
  • Only capitalize what follows a colon when it’s a proper noun or the start of an independent sentence.
  • Colons go outside of quotations marks unless the colon is part of a direct quotation.
  • Never combine a dash and a colon.


Connecting two independent sentences


Rule: Use a colon when one independent sentence introduces a second independent sentence.

  • Example: He gave this promise to employees: No one is losing his job.
  • Example: The CEO announced plans for growth within the company: The new office build-out begins on Monday.


Introducing a list


Rule: Use a colon to introduce a list at the end of a complete sentence.

  • Example: There are three main employee costs: compensation, overhead and insurance.


Showing emphasis


Rule: Use a colon to create emphasis.

  • Example: Rick does only one thing after work: sleeps.


Introducing quotations


Rule: Use a colon to introduce quotations of more than one sentence within a paragraph and at the end of paragraphs that introduce a paragraph of quoted material.