ACT GRAMMAR
COLON RULES:
The ACT tests the use of colons after an independent clause to introduce a list, a quotation, an appositive, or other idea directly related to the independent clause.
RULE: Colons are used to introduce a list after an independent clause.
EXAMPLE:
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RULE: Colons are used to signal further clarification or detail.
EXAMPLE:
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RULE: Colons are used to introduce a quotation when the quotation isn’t introduced as dialogue or is very long.
EXAMPLES:
point of intersection e. Bisect eb and mark the point of intersection f. With f as a center, and cf as a radius, describe an arc cutting ae. Mark the point of intersection g. With gc as a radius and c as a center, describe two arcs cutting the circumference at h and j. With h and j as centers and the same radius, describe arcs cutting the circumference at k and l. Form a star by connecting c and l, c and k, h and k, l and j, and h and j. |
RULE: A colon can be used to separate two independent clauses when 1) the second clause is directly (not vaguely) related to the first clause and 2) when the emphasis is on the second clause. While you can also use a semicolon or a period between two independent-yet-related clauses, the colon is a little softer than the period, but a little harder than the semicolon.
EXAMPLES:
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RULE: It is best to capitalize the first word after a colon if what follows forms two or more complete sentences.
EXAMPLE:
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RULE: A colon should not separate a noun from its verb, a verb from its object or subject complement, a preposition from its object, or a subject from its predicate.
INCORRECT EXAMPLES:
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