The Colon
17 rules
Colon Before a List Introduced by 'As Follows,' 'Thus,' or 'The Following'
Use a colon to introduce a list, formal quotation, or enumeration when it is preceded by an introductory expression such as 'as follows,' 'thus,' or 'the following.' Capitalize the first word after the colon when it begins a complete sentence, is a proper noun, or is the pronoun 'I.'
Colon Before an Explanation or List (Where 'Namely' Is Implied)
Use a colon before an explanation or list when you could mentally insert the word 'namely' before it and it would make sense. The words before and after the colon are nouns or pronouns in apposition — the material after the colon renames or specifies what came before. If the word 'namely' actually appears in the sentence, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it instead of a colon. This pattern also applies to incomplete introductory expressions like 'Just so I'm clear:' or 'So I have a complete picture:' when they are spoken as a preface followed by a pause — use a colon to introduce the summary that follows.
Colon, Comma, or No Punctuation After 'To Be' Before a Question
When a question follows a form of the verb 'to be' (is, was, are, etc.), three options exist depending on length, formality, and whether the question is direct or indirect: (1) No punctuation if the question is short and runs smoothly into the sentence ('My question is why?'). (2) A colon for emphasis or formality ('My question is: Why?'). (3) A comma for a less formal feel ('My question is, Who did it?'). If the question is being restated from elsewhere in the transcript, a colon may introduce it with quotation marks. If a completing word appears between the verb and the question (e.g., 'My question is this:'), only a colon is correct.
Colon Before Formal Quotations from Documents or Speeches
Use a colon to introduce formal quotations from legal documents, statutes, speeches, historic documents, or other well-known writings. The colon signals that what follows is a direct, formal citation.
Colon in Citations (Volume:Page, Chapter:Verse, Title:Subtitle)
In citations to legal, biblical, and literary works, use a colon with no spaces to separate volume number from page number, chapter from verse, and title from subtitle.
No Colon After 'To Be' Before a Simple List
Do not use a colon to introduce a simple list or set of examples that follows a form of the verb 'to be' (am, are, is, was, were) in running text. The sentence should flow naturally without interruption. Exception: if the list is long enough to be tabulated (formatted as a vertical list), then a colon is appropriate. In tabulated lists, items do not need capital letters or end punctuation.
No Colon After a Preposition or After 'That'
Do not use a colon immediately after a preposition (of, in, at, on) or after the word 'that.' Let the sentence flow smoothly without punctuation interrupting after these words. The list or clause that follows is a natural grammatical continuation, not a formal introduction requiring a colon.
Colon After Speaker Name or Title in Transcripts
Use a colon after the name or title of a speaker to identify who is speaking in a transcript. The speaker's name or title appears in capitals, followed by a colon, then the spoken words.
Colon After QUESTION or ANSWER in Transcript Readback
When testimony from a transcript is read back on the record, use a colon after the words QUESTION and ANSWER (written in all capitals). The readback is enclosed in quotation marks.
Colon Always Goes Outside Quotation Marks
When a colon and a closing quotation mark appear at the same point in a sentence, the colon always goes outside (after) the closing quotation mark. Like the semicolon, the colon is never placed inside quotation marks.
Colon After Note, Caution, or Warning
Use a colon after the words 'Note,' 'Caution,' or 'Warning' when they introduce a guideline, instruction, or advisory statement. The colon signals that what follows is the content of the note, caution, or warning.
No Colon When Another Sentence Intervenes Before the List
Do not use a colon when a list is introduced but another sentence or idea comes between the introduction and the list itself. Instead, end the introduction with a period, then present the list. Exception: if the intervening material and the list can be restructured into a single flowing sentence, a colon may work — the reporter must judge what produces the clearest result without adding or removing words.
No Colon After a Noun of Direct Address (Salutations in Court)
Do not use a colon after a noun of direct address in courtroom transcripts. Salutations and greetings such as 'Members of the jury,' 'Ladies and gentlemen,' 'Counselors,' and 'Good morning, members of the jury' should be set off with commas, not colons. The speaker identification colon (Rule 36) has already appeared — the salutation that follows is part of the spoken text and uses standard comma rules for direct address.
Capitalization After a Colon
Capitalize the word after a colon if it begins a grammatically complete sentence. Do not capitalize the word after a colon if it begins a fragment. The colon introduces what follows; whether that material is a full sentence or a fragment determines the capitalization.
Use Dashes Around a List When the Sentence Continues After It
When a list is separated by commas and the sentence continues after the list, use a pair of dashes to surround the list rather than a colon in front of it. A colon would leave the reader stranded mid-sentence with no clear way to resume. Dashes cleanly set off the list and allow the sentence to continue.
Military Time Uses Four Digits With No Colon
When times are expressed in military format, use four digits with no colon or other punctuation. Military time uses a continuous four-digit number (e.g., 0400, 1445, 2310) rather than the civilian hour:minutes format.
Colon After a Formal Salutation
Use a colon after the salutation of a formal communication such as a letter, email, or official address. This applies when the salutation appears in testimony or is being read into the record.