Colon

Test yourself

Using Colons for Lists

We already know we need to use commas in lists. But we can also introduce a list with a colon!

List of beach items

At the beach, we will need: a bucket, spade, rubber dinghy and some armbands.

List of pencil case items

In my pencil case, there is: a ruler, a sharpener, a pencil, a pen and a rubber.

List of clothes

In my wardrobe, I have: 2 shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 3 hats and 6 pairs of socks.

List of office items

In my office, there is: a desk, a lamp, a folder, a filing cabinet and a computer.

Using Colons to Separate Clauses

We don’t always need to use a full stop to separate main clauses. Sometimes, we can use a colon (:). Let's look at some examples...

Illustrative background for The clock was ticking<b>:</b> midnight was approaching

Illustrative background for The clock was ticking<b>:</b> midnight was approaching ?? "content

The clock was ticking: midnight was approaching

Illustrative background for The dog was sad<b>:</b> he lost his bone

Illustrative background for The dog was sad<b>:</b> he lost his bone ?? "content

The dog was sad: he lost his bone

Illustrative background for The boy was hungry<b>:</b> he skipped breakfast

Illustrative background for The boy was hungry<b>:</b> he skipped breakfast ?? "content

The boy was hungry: he skipped breakfast

Illustrative background for Our teacher was angry<b>:</b> the classroom was messy

Illustrative background for Our teacher was angry<b>:</b> the classroom was messy ?? "content

Our teacher was angry: the classroom was messy

Illustrative background for He drove too fast<b>:</b> he crashed his car

Illustrative background for He drove too fast<b>:</b> he crashed his car ?? "content

He drove too fast: he crashed his car

1Spelling

1.1Spelling

1.1.1Hard 'U' & 'I' Sounds

1.1.2Words Ending in '-sure', & '-mure'

1.1.3Words Ending in '-sion'

1.1.4'Ei', 'Eigh' & 'Ey' Spellings

1.1.5Spelling Words with 'Ch'

1.1.6Spelling Words with 'Sc'

1.1.7Silent Letters

1.1.8i Before e Rule

1.1.9Hard & Soft 'c' Sounds

1.1.10End of Topic Test - Spelling

1.2Prefixes

1.2.1'Anti-' & 'Auto-'

1.2.2Not & 'Inter-'

1.2.3'Mis-', 'Dis-' & 'Re-'

1.2.4'Sub-' & 'Super-'

1.3Suffixes

1.3.1Vowel Suffixes

1.3.2Short Vowel Suffixes

1.3.3Suffixes: '-ous'

1.3.4Rules for Suffixes: '-ous'

1.3.5Rules for Suffixes: '-ous' 2

1.3.6Suffixes: '-ly'

1.3.7Suffixes: '-ation'

1.3.8Suffixes: '-ation' 2

1.3.9Spelling: '-tion' Endings

1.3.10Spelling: '-sion' Endings

1.3.11Spelling: '-ssion' Endings

1.3.12Spelling: '-cian' Endings

1.3.13End of Topic Test - Prefixes & Suffixes

1.4Making Words Plural

1.4.1Plurals

1.5Homophones

1.6Word Meanings

1.6.1Homonyms

2Punctuation

3Grammar

3.1Word Classes

3.1.1Nouns

3.1.2Pronouns

3.1.3Verbs

3.1.4Adjectives & Adverbs

3.1.5Qualifiers & Quantifiers

3.1.6Determiners

3.1.7Prepositions

3.1.8Synonyms & Antonyms

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Word Classes

3.2Conjunctions

3.2.1Coordinating Conjunctions

3.2.2Subordinating Conjunctions

3.3Writing Coherently

3.3.1Building Cohesion in Writing

3.3.2Avoiding Ambiguity in Writing

3.4Verbs

3.4.1Subject-verb Agreement

3.5Modal Verbs

3.5.1Modal Verbs

3.5.2Can & Could

3.5.3May & Might

3.5.4Should & Shall

3.5.5Will & Would

3.5.6Must & Have To

3.6Phrasal Verbs

3.6.1Phrasal Verbs

3.7Subjunctive Verbs

3.7.1Subjunctive Verbs

3.7.2End of Topic Test - Verbs

3.8Sentences

3.8.1Subject of a Sentence

3.8.2Object of a Sentence

3.8.3Main & Subordinate Clauses

3.8.4Simple Sentences & Compound Sentences

3.8.5Complex Sentences

3.8.6Relative Clauses

3.8.7Relative Clauses Without Relative Pronouns

3.8.8Participle Clauses

3.8.9Run-on Sentences

3.8.10Sentence Functions

3.8.11End of Topic Test - Sentences

3.9Tenses

3.9.1Present Tense

3.9.2Past Tense

3.9.3Past Tense Using Have

3.9.4Future Tense

3.9.5Present vs Past vs Future

3.9.6Continuity of Tenses

3.9.7End of Topic Test - Tenses

3.10Adverbials

3.10.1Adverbial

3.10.2Saying Where & When

3.10.3Saying How Often

3.10.4Saying How & Why

3.10.5Using Commas for Fronted Adverbials

3.11Language Techniques

3.11.1Figurative & Emotive Language

3.11.2Active & Passive Voice

3.11.3Idiomatic Expressions

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