colon
Quick Summary
A colon (:) is a punctuation mark used to introduce something that follows it, such as a list, explanation, quotation, or amplification. It signals that what comes after the colon has been pointed to or described by what precedes it.12
Colons can introduce clauses or phrases that explain, illustrate, amplify, or restate the preceding text. They are also used to introduce lists or series, and can precede quotations, especially if they are lengthy or formal.1
It is important to note that colons should not be used to separate a subject from its predicate, a verb from its object, or a preposition from its object.1
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