Introduction to colons (:)

Author

Liz Sparg

Cover

Image by Daniel Schaffer from UnSplash

Publisher

FunDza Literacy Trust

Language

English

Licence

Length

Long

40

Introduction to colons (:)

The colon (:) tells us to expect something. It could be:

A list (You will need: a pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, glue, exercise book, scissors.)
An explanation: The meaning is clear: you are not allowed in this property.
A quotation (Our principal’s famous saying was: Do what is right, not what is easy.)
Dialogue after a speaker’s name in a script (Wendy: What is that coming through the window? It looks like a tiny light.)

40 Responses

Oh yeah

Phumza Kuku · 11 months ago

Trick

Precious Mpulo · a year ago

Trucky but easy.

Thandeka Lydia Mzolo · a year ago

Yeah

Kgothatso Maggie Makota · a year ago

Ohhh yes

Segomotso Benjamin Molekane · 2 years ago

Yah

Tiisetso Mohapi · 2 years ago

Lol

Agatha Mologadi Magagane · 2 years ago

Ohhh yah

Tshwenyana Jacob Magane · 2 years ago

Very appreciated

Kedibone Montsho · 2 years ago

Very helpful

Thandiwe Hlatshwayo · 2 years ago

Really appreciate it, it's very helpful

Sibonisile Thwala · 2 years ago

Wow... That was really helpfull. Some of them we weren't taught at school

Realeboha Thuthani · 2 years ago

Busy learning.❤️

Letlhogonolo Kotsedi · 2 years ago

Yoh hah I didn't realize those xem: I'm 100 now with that.Thanks ! It is worth it.

Zwivhuya Musida · 2 years ago

Thank you Liz.

Mohato · 2 years ago

You are helpful, Liz Sparg

Samkelo Sikhakhane · 2 years ago

😄😄😁😁😁😁😁😒😴😆😁😁😁😁

Charmaine Matekwe · 2 years ago

Information overdrive

Charmaine Matekwe · 2 years ago

Thanks

Cherilee Meyer · 2 years ago

Thanks alot

Precious Cambula · 2 years ago

Very helpful

Mc drahcir · 2 years ago

Thanks a lot

emabasa22 · 3 years ago

Thank you alot

aga…@gmail.com · 3 years ago

Thanks alot

zan…@gmail.com · 3 years ago

Thanks

Tiny84 · 4 years ago

Thank you so much Fundza it's really good to be taught colons again.

Millicent001 · 4 years ago

Ngiyabonga

Farid · 4 years ago

Good ❤️

HopeHlngw.Sea.10 · 4 years ago

Learnable 😊

Ndoni ya manzi · 4 years ago

I have learnt

Mr Fact · 4 years ago

Hi Scrupulous and Ousman: In the example above, the quotation is part of written text - not spoken text, hence the use of the colon. With direct speech you can use either a comma or a colon before the direct speech starts, but a comma is generally more elegant. Hope that helps!

Mignon · 6 years ago

What is the difference between using colon before quotation and comma before direct speech, are you not quoting someone in both cases? If there is difference how do you determine that the sentence needs colon or comma?

Scrupulous · 6 years ago

What is the differences between using colon before quotation and comma before direct speech,are not quoting the someone in both cases?

Ousman A sheriff · 6 years ago

it seemed better to me,i never had a problem in using the colon sign

raphahle · 6 years ago

didn't have trouble with this part of the course. certainly better than the commas

savanna · 6 years ago

This has helped me alot

Given Tapiwa Banda · 6 years ago

Thank you

Themba Emanuel Mashobane · 6 years ago

It's cool doing this course, i really injoy it.

Gift Kambuye · 6 years ago

One thing I learned is separating one's name from the rest of the sentence.

Katlego Manaka · 6 years ago

I learned more about the exclamation mark and that it is used when someone feels strong about something, not to shout. Also the colon that one should expect something after it like a grocery list.

Nthabiseng Ngema · 6 years ago

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