Colons: When to Use a Colon in a Sentence | English Writing and Punctuation Essentials

An in-depth guide on how to use colons and colon rules for writing in English. I will teach you how to use colons, explain each of these rules in detail, and show you many different examples. We will go over using colons to introduce lists, how to use a colon before quotation marks, using colons for emphasis, to separate independent clauses and more.
At the end of the lesson, we will have a detailed practice session so you can test what you've learned! Come learn all about colon usage with Sparkle English!
Video Chapters:
0:47 - Introduction to Colons
1:32 - Use a colon to introduce an item or list
3:26 - Use colons to provide further clarification in a sentence
4:37 - Use colons to show emphasis
5:34 - Use colons to separate independent clauses
7:14 - Use a colon before a quote when the quote is introduced by a complete sentence
8:47 - In a presentation, we use colons to introduce a bulleted or numbered list
9:19 - Practice using colons!
Check out my other videos on punctuation and capitalization below:
► Quotation Marks Rules - • Quotation Mark Rules |...
► Apostrophe Rules - • Apostrophe Rules | How...
► Capitalization Rules - • Capitalization Rules -...
► 8 Comma Rules - • 8 Comma Rules | How to...
#esl #learnenglish #colonrules #punctuation #sparkleenglish

[@SparkleEnglish]

Quick Reference Links:
0:47 - Introduction to Colons
1:32 - Use a colon to introduce an item or list
3:26 - Use colons to provide further clarification in a sentence
4:37 - Use colons to show emphasis
5:34 - Use colons to separate independent clauses
7:14 - Use a colon before a quote when the quote is introduced by a complete sentence
8:47 - In a presentation, we use colons to introduce a bulleted or numbered list
9:19 - Practice using colons!

[@brinarollins7322]

Still failed my quiz. Man grammar should be easy it my native language but I never was able to a good sentence; they ran on and like this one

[@nithyaakash3953]

hi I am Akash
from Dubai
from The Indian International School
5
order of adjectives
PLS
thank you

[@Neushoorn63]

Great video! Your English is superb. Now, you only need to work on your geography. There are 22 countries in North America.

[@Zero-0_0-]

You're not just a good teacher;you're also thoughtful:you had a cute test for us 😊
Did I get it right mam with ; and :?
🤔💭🤔💭🤔💭🤔💭

[@yannicburke6723]

​@@Zero-0_0-them essay I got 82% for English A exams

[@Coolblueocean2001]

I like your style: direct, clear, and accurate.

[@timn.5029]

10/10. I'm not daft by any sense of the word. However, I've got ADHD, and concepts that are quickly brushed over can get lost in translation to me. In those cases I have to do my own due diligence: seek "in depth" explanation study material. Punctuation has always been one of those things for me. This video was exactly what I needed. Thanks for your content.

[@SparkleEnglish]

You are so very welcome! I really appreciate your kind words. 🥰

[@pentameteriamb6196]

I have taught English in 6 countries: China, Thailand, South Korea, Kuwait, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Your awesome lessons always teach me more....
:-)))))))))))))

[@naco5563]

All your lessons are easy-to-understand! You helped me a lot! Thank you!

[@MichelleDanes-fb1ie]

i am right now practicing for my SATS, this has helped me so much, thank you

[@Stephanie-jo2tm]

I am practicing for my SAT. You have helped me comprehend so much!! Thank you

[@SparkleEnglish]

You are very welcome!!! Good luck with your SAT!

[@stanyma578]

How did you do?

[@anthonymason5916]

Thank you so much! I feel a lot better now with my punctuations in English.

[@carolynmaches1390]

Thank you very much 🥰. Very useful indeed 👍. ~ Love from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@rickgordon2658]

So clear so concise. Thank you!!

[@sherlychristianty1616]

Nice video.
Your explanation is easy to understand.

[@melkam-englishgrammar5849]

The way you teach us:informative,understandable,and clear.

[@simplenv4740]

Great refresher! Thank you!🙏

[@evansasante8113]

I always struggled with getting the right punctuation in situations where I had to connect two independent clauses. This video just clarified it for me!

[@myfamilystudycenter]

Maybe it is because you explained the colon in an easy way, i found all the sentences correctly. 🎉
Thanks a lot.❤

[@SparkleEnglish]

Well done!! ❤️

[@englishforre.1458]

Thank you Madam your lesson on colon is very very useful for me and must be for those who are watching.

[@TruthMerc]

You have the best videos on punctuation. Thumbs up!

[@MiddleEasternInAmerica]

Your videos are informative, comprehensive, and well-organized. I hope you have enough time to make more videos and online courses. Thank you for such great content.

[@SparkleEnglish]

Thank you for your kind words and appreciation! 😍

[@worldclassjerk-epicgamer]

It would be "well organized" instead of "well-organized". ;)
Only hyphenate with compound adjectives when they occur before the noun in the sentence. (I'm not trying to be a world-class jerk or anything. Just felt like an appropriate fun fact on a video of this nature.)

[@Natureshoot312]

Your videos: informative, comprehensive, and well organised.

[@ryankbr]

This was really helpful. Thank you!

[@spaceman111]

Clear, concise and to the point. I love your videos. Thank you

[@fredchege9208]

Agree.

[@noelalim6176]

So clear,,, love the way you demonstrate.

[@diamondrepairs1307]

Thank you Sparkler; the videos are great.

[@ranashehroze8247]

Thank you for such a wonderful lesson ✌️

[@juliomatimbe5078]

You always make it looks easy. Much love and appreciation

[@richardtitus-glover8951]

You’re an amazing teacher. I had 7 out of 7

[@vluvbug]

Subscribed! I luv the way you explained information: it was understandable..

[@mehulpatel7533]

Your explanation is really clear it helped a lot

[@aigulsuh]

Thank you for the lesson! It was helpful 👍👍👍

[@melkam-englishgrammar5849]

You have taught me:clearly,shortly,and precisely.

[@user-jb7ud4uh6d]

I got them all. Thanks to the Great Teacher!

[@mudasirabbasi7300]

U r the best teacher 👩‍🏫: I have ever seen in my whole life,thanks for making such a great,and easiest video 👍

[@nataleethomas2489]

I wish the teachers at my school were like that

[@panhandle99]

"You're the best teacher I have ever seen in my whole life. Thanks for making such a great video; it was the easiest to follow. "

[@laxmishoker9532]

Thanks. A very clear and informative Teaching.

[@labellelandy3707]

I am practicing for my ACT. You have help me understand so much stuff thank you .

[@ArtemHahauz-nm7bk]

As I understand now, colons are much more complex than I thought. I would definitely need to do some more research regarding this punctuation mark.
Thank you so much, Jeniffer!
Best regards from Ukraine!
Keep it up!

[@nazmuldipu]

This video is helpful to understand how to use colons. Because the video has many things:some examples, some rules, and a test.

[@sarkismasrian2151]

I like the way you explain; it's awesome. Thanks.

[@sicario91]

Great explanation!

[@devashikajayamanna2255]

Thank you for this crystal clear lesson. ❤❤❤

[@OfCourseICan]

So grateful for this wonderful channel.

[@vinodkumar-fk2tt]

your way of teaching is really powerful.

[@sherrymatkin635]

I love how you teach.

[@laurynjackson5482]

Thank you so much!!❤

[@cynthiainnes2532]

Thank you for this easy to understand English Writing Essentials Do you have any videos on proofreading?

[@amyfranklin38]

Excellent lesson.

[@amnakhanamnakhan8524]

JazakAllah Mam ❤❤

[@jamalhossain2827]

Precise lecture. Have learnt much.

[@amieweymouth992]

Thanks for this it’s very helpful.

[@noelalim6176]

Really make sense!

[@lavernpowell3842]

It was informative thank u ✨

[@tanoueatekanene7519]

thank you. wonderful!!

[@hudamohammedelzehery8216]

Thanks a lot.
Really I appreciate it much.

[@kasthurithilagamr7622]

many thanks for uploading such a clear video. It would be great if you could upload an video with em dash and en dash too.

[@brinarollins7322]

I am learning more with you

[@srinivasasangala5472]

your a very good teacher!

[@srinivasasangala5472]

thank you so much, this video helped me a lot because in school my teacher said i need to work on placing my colons in the right place

[@cuger60]

You are the best . Aweseom teacher.

[@noelalim6176]

She's accurate and simple!

[@sohailmirza2134]

I can say one thing about this video: excellent presentation.

[@p.ravindranathshetty1164]

Wonderful teaching

[@michaelmuro4475]

thank you for the video very helpful

[@AG-mo2hg]

You make this stuff easy to understand!

[@SparkleEnglish]

Thank you! 🥹

[@user-ff5pn6ts4b]

Great video ❤

[@hadialtayeb254]

You are the best
Thank you for your help

[@emzewalletcrypto3055]

Thanks for this

[@mitanshgupta1398]

Your teaching is so beautiful, please make a video on tenses also.😀

[@hanooismail9064]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@Smart_gadgets228]

Fabulous!!

[@gigglesgiggles2734]

Thank you.

[@Tushinho]

Thank you so much.
Quick question tho, if I said: "what I needed was: 20 pounds of ground round for that party we are having next week. Would that sentence be correct? Or should I leave out the colon all together?

[@SparkleEnglish]

Hello! You should leave out the colon in that sentence since the verb to be (was) connects both parts. :)

[@Tushinho]

@@SparkleEnglish thanks

[@user-zd5yl2ck5t]

Its awesome ❤

[@shahowmedia35]

Best teacher ever

[@edidiongoffong4398]

Dear Teacher, many thanks to you for this amazing video. My question is: when should we not use a colon?

[@Proforever69]

Thanks so much

[@kubramir1251]

Thanks very clear

[@Shigri1010]

Amazing 🤩

[@Brucee_97]

Wonderful 🙂

[@heronescala1005]

I thought this is the best teacher ,I have known

[@Quran-sx6qj]

Perfect 👍👌

[@adamabdelaziz2581]

best ever teacher i love you

[@AbdulLatif-im2vv]

Colons are really difficult but after watching this video it has become easier ❤

[@irumnawaz4359]

Appreciated❤

[@yamundowsanneh4557]

Very comprehended 🥰

[@NadanModernChirikkoott]

Thank you so much 🤩🤩🤩👍

[@taekookiesmoonlight2292]

THANK YOUUUUU💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@mannysuarez2656]

Thanks Sensei

[@italloandrade22]

amazing video

[@user-wl6vg8mb5z]

When I watched her video I it helped me a lot.

[@MahnoorYaseen-iv8cm]

I much obliged through 😊this vedio

[@mannmalviya2410]

Mam, your way of teaching is really, very fascinating .

[@anthonymason5916]

I cuncur!

[@ghulamnabi7704]

Thanks mam,wonderful one

[@peggyherrmann7167]

7/7. Thank you.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Thanks. Greetings from Colombia,The Venezuelan Immigrant writer

[@saadsayes4662]

your explanation is really distinguished,,&informative since i followed many clips but didnot cover as much as you

[@Coolblueocean2001]

Please pay attention to your grammar when you type.

[@muneerahmed2793]

So amazing

[@christopherTYJ]

Thank you for the video! I achieved a great score: seven out of seven!

[@SparkleEnglish]

Awesome, Christopher! 😊

[@karlenewhite9457]

Thank you, I got three wright.

[@asmabdullah3232]

Good evening,
Thanks for the privilege. I want to know about the "comma" before "or" in the examples of using colons to provide further clarification in a sentence.

[@therealopinion.2781]

Thanks ma'am

[@marwa5897]

Thank you so much , that’s really help me
I got 7/7

[@Soloapostle]

thanks boss