Q&A for How to Use a Colon in a Sentence

Yes.

It would be an extremely unusual--even awkward--sentence if it required two colons.

No colon needed.

It can be.

It's OK that way, or you could write, "He wasn't free yet, however. He still had to get out of the room."

The colon is correct. Use "lie" instead of "lied."

No. Although a colon may appear to be ending a sentence, it's really just introducing a continuation of a thought with a list of items or an added clause.

Generally, you wouldn't; mostly you use a colon to introduce a list, for example, 'the girl had two hobbies: reading mystery novels and playing the piano'. This works because the first part (the girl had two hobbies) could stand on its own.

This is a correct use. A few pointers, however: 1. This would be an unusual and unnecessary way to write such a sentence in most contexts, since you can equally well just write the same sentence without the colon. 2. You should generally have 'and' before the last item in the series (and no comma in this case, since there are only two items). 3. 'Include' is a better word choice here than 'are'. 4. The most likely scenario for a construction exactly like the one you wrote would be a form that has been filled out. For example, a form or questionnaire can sometimes have an item ending with a colon, where the person filling it out needs to list whatever applies.

Yes, the colon is used in place of a period but acts like a period to end a sentence and to capitalize the following word. For example -- Carrots are a good source of vitamins: They promote healthy vision.

It would be better to say, "...relationship between CV measurements (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and drug..." (or "...of CV...to drug...").

You could say, "The reason may be that eating..."

Yes, "and" is appropriate. The colon is optional.

That colon is appropriate. The semicolon should be replaced by a comma.

"e.g." is used the way "for example" is used: inside parentheses or following a dash. Like "for example," it typically precedes a comma but not a colon.

It's correct but awkward. You could say, "Do you believe pineapple belongs on pizza or not?"

It's OK, but you really don't need any punctuation after "includes."

Yes, it would be helpful to use a colon before the first number.

No colon is needed: "...service date 26/07/2018 in the amount of..."

Yes, that's a common way to use the colon.

The fact that they have spotted their prey is essential to the sentence (it wouldn't make sense without it), so you would use "that." See Use "That" and "Which" Correctly .

It's not incorrect, but it might be better to write "on January 1, 1917 my son and I..."

Use a colon after "it." No comma is needed after "quote."

Though they look very much alike, they're used quite differently. A semicolon is a "strong comma." A colon introduces material that relates or adds to what has appeared immediately before.

That's awkward usage. How about this: Hajime hesitantly stands up, dusts himself off and says as he jumps off the white ____, "The one and only."

No. Colons and semicolons look similar but are used very differently.

That's really not an appropriate use of the colon. Just say, "I once lived in Hartford." Of course, if you're writing for effect in a novel, it's up to you how to develop your specific writing voice.