Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. You will need three things: a pencil, a ruler and an eraser.
- Step 1: A colon follows a complete clause and introduces a list or an explanation. Step 2. 'You will need three things' is complete on its own. Answer: You will need three things: a pencil, a ruler and an eraser. Why not the others: You will need: three things a pencil, a ruler and an eraser.: This puts the colon before the phrase that introduces the list. You will: need three things, a pencil, a ruler and an eraser.: This splits the verb from its object. You will need three things a pencil: a ruler and an eraser.: This puts the colon inside the list.
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