Colon Before a List Introduced by 'As Follows,' 'Thus,' or 'The Following'
The Colon
Rulebase Summary
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.'
Examples
THE COURT: The charges are as follows, count one, robbery, count two, assault, count three, possession of a firearm.
THE COURT: The charges are as follows: count one, robbery; count two, assault; count three, possession of a firearm.
Colon after 'as follows' to introduce the list.
A. The items missing from the safe were the following, cash, a passport, and two gold rings.
A. The items missing from the safe were the following: cash, a passport, and two gold rings.
Colon after 'the following' introduces the enumeration.
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's