IXL | Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives

Insert a punctuation mark (if needed) to introduce the list in bold.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore used a variety of media forms to create an interactive exhibit about the Atlantic coast ecosystem 3-D replicas of beaches; realistic murals of the seashore; and touch pools with skates, crabs, and moon jellies.

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Learn with an example

question

Insert a punctuation mark (if needed) to introduce the list in bold.

According to Mrs. Meyer, if you want to eat more healthily, you should avoid these foods sugar, refined grains, salt, and unhealthy fats.

key idea

A colon is typically used to introduce an element that explains, defines, or illustrates what came before. Colons almost always follow a stand-alone sentence.

Use a colon to introduce a list that follows a stand-alone sentence. Do not use punctuation to introduce a list if it does not follow a stand-alone sentence.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

Use a colon to introduce a quotation that follows a stand-alone sentence. (Some style guides consider it acceptable to introduce any quotation with a colon, but if the quotation does not follow a stand-alone sentence, a comma is usually a better choice.)

In his introduction, Jeong claims that most prior research in this area is unreliable: "These oft-cited studies had small sample sizes and lacked control groups."

In his introduction, Jeong claims, "Most of these oft-cited studies had small sample sizes and lacked control groups."

Use a comma or a colon to introduce a nonrestrictive appositive that comes at the end of a sentence. These appositives always follow a stand-alone sentence. A comma is typically used, but a colon may sometimes be a better choice in order to create emphasis or a dramatic effect.

Last Halloween I dressed up as my favorite superhero, Superman.

As he flew closer, we recognized the man soaring through the air: Superman.

Use a colon after a phrase like this, the following, or as follows if the phrase refers to what comes after the colon.

Senator Thompson had this to say about the controversy: "I maintain that the bill is unjust and must not pass into law."

You must use only the following materials: newspaper, popsicle sticks, and masking tape.

solution

Use a colon. A colon is normally used after a phrase containing this, the following, or as follows if the phrase refers to what comes after the colon.

$Confetti$

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

FF.5Is it a complete sentence or a fragment?

FF.2Commas with nonrestrictive elements

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