Lesson 391

Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

Use a colon before listed items that are introduced by such words as the following, as follows, thus, and these; by a number; or by any other expression that "points-out."

Example:
In high school he played the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, and tennis.

Use no colon before a list of predicate nominativesA predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals.  Source: Lesson 102, direct objectsA direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb used with a direct object is always an action verb. Another way of saying it is that the subject does the verb to the direct object.
Source: Lesson 109, or objects of the prepositionA preposition is a word that begins a prepositional phrase and shows the relationship between its object and another word in the sentence. A preposition must always have an object.  Source: Lesson 180.  A colon should not hinder the natural flow of the sentence.

Example:
We will need flour, milk, and sugar. (direct objects)

 
 
 

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. You need these guys Will, Boyd, Jeff, and Jim.

2. She had three personality flaws pride, selfishness, and a temper.

3. The singers will be you, Pam, and Becky.

4. For the camp-out we will need the following things a tent, three sleeping bags, and a gas lantern.

5. Next semester I will be taking four courses Algebra II, English Literature, American History, and Biology III.