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Colons misused with lists
Introduction
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Not all lists should be introduced by colons. Here's how to determine whether or not to use a colon with a list.
Analyze the material that introduces the list. Is it is a main clause? Only a main clause should be followed by a colon.
Example: The university's hiring policy forbids discrimination based on: age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
The material that introduces the list, The university's hiring policy forbids discrimination based on, is not a main clause. Therefore, it should not be followed by a colon.
- If the material introducing the list is not a main clause, revise either the punctuation or the sentence structure.
Revision A: The university's hiring policy forbids discrimination based on: age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
In revision A, the punctuation has been revised (the colon has been deleted).
Revision B: The university's hiring policy forbids discrimination based on any of the following: age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
In revision B, the sentence structure has been revised. A main clause now introduces the list, so a colon can be used.
Remember: Do not use a colon to introduce a list unless a main clause introduces the list.
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