Colons Flashcards
When do you use a colon, generally speaking?
Use a colon before introducing a list, a formal quotation, or an enumeration that is preceded by an expression like “as follows, thus, the following.”
How many spaces do you use after a colon?
Type 2 spaces after the colon except when the colon occurs within a numerical expression.
Use a colon before an explanation or list when _____________ can be mentally added before the explanation or list and it makes sense. The word before the colon and the word(s) after the colon are nouns or pronouns in apposition (a renaming) to each other.
Namely.
Ex: My problem is this: Who pays me for my losses?
Ex: The Court ruled on two counts: first, negligence; second, cruelty.
Ex: And that makes her what: your sister-in-law?
Is the word “what” a pronoun?
Yes, it is used as a pronoun, noun, and adjective.
The colon is used if ______________________ does not appear in a sentence?
Namely.
Ex: Objection: no proper predicate, facts not in evidence.
How would a sentence that includes the word “namely” be punctuated?
With a semicolon that is used before it and a comma after it.
My problem is serious; namely, who will pay me for my losses?
A colon is used when a speaker uses an ___________________ expression or introductory clause as a preface to a summary, series of questions, or statements.
Incomplete.
Ex: Just so I’m clear: Did she make any phone calls?
Note: If the expressions are used as true introductory clauses, use commas as in Rule 63.
What punctuation can be used if a question follows the verb to be (am, are, is was, were, been, being) depending upon the length of the question, the formality of the Q, or whether it is direct or indirect?
A colon, comma, or nothing. Note: If the question is short, it may be treated as an indirect question and run smoothly into the rest of the sentence without any punctuation to introduce it and end with a Q mark.
Ex: My question is: why? My question is why not? The bottom line is who?
How can you punctuate a Q that follows a “to be” verb that is short but requires special emphasis?
It can be treated as a direct Q and the colon may introduce the Q and end the sentence with a Q mark. The colon has the effect of making the question more formal.
Ex: My question is: Why?
Ex: My question is: Why not?
Ex: The bottom line is: Is she reliable?
Ex: What I mean is: How come she did that?
Concerning Qs that follow a to be verb: If the Q is to be quoted bc it appears elsewhere in the tript and is being restated, a ____________ may introduce the Q and the sentence ends with a ______________.
Colon, question mark.
Note: Commas can also be used and the effect is to make the Qs less formal.
Ex: My question is: “Why?”
Ex: My question is: “Who did it?”
Re: Qs that follow a “to be” verb can also use a _______________ to make a question less formal.
Comma.
Ex: My question is, Who did it?
Ex: The question was, Will you bring the documents?
Ex: Then the next step is, Where do we hide the money belt?
If the Q to be quoted bc it appears elsewhere in the tript and is being restated, a _____________ may introduce the Q and the sentence ends with a Q mark.
Colon.
Ex: My question is: “Why?”
Ex: My question is: “Who did it?”
Ex: The question was: “Did you see the accident?”
Read page 23 again. Might need to look at Rule 49.
To introduce formal quotations from legal docs, speeches, historic documents, or other well-known writings, you use a ______________.
Colon.
Ex: My client makes the same plea as the well-known Revolutionary orator: “Give me liberty or give me death.”
Ex: Your client should have remembered the Bible says: “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Ex: The statute says: “A reporter appointed as provided in this article shall be assigned by the administrative director of the courts.”
