The Mechanics

Good morning to you all! It's Wednesday, so it must be mechanics day.

Let's talk about the colon today. I like using colons, though I use them sparingly.

The colon acts as a pointing finger, telling the reader that there's more to come if they would just read on.

The colon is quite versatile. It can introduce a list of words, present a conclusion, present an explanation or example, introduce a quote or indirect speech, be a substitute for a conjunction, introduce a question, introduce subtitles and even link contrasting statements. Phew! That's a multi-tasker if I ever saw one!

I like using them when I want to emphasize something. Aside from using the colon for the introduction of a list all the other uses of colons draws attention to whatever is to come.

For me however I generally use them only for lists and in place of a conjunction or before the introduction of a new and exciting idea. I am not sure why I don't use them more. I guess they have a certain snobby quality to them that eliminates their use from a lot of regular genres.

I rarely if ever see them in novels. The newspaper doesn't use them much. I use them occasionally in my high tech writing, but other than that they would more likely be used in literary works of a certain level and sophistication.

The colon is certainly not used in main-stream writing very often.

I wonder why?

Is it because people just aren't sure how to use it or are they just lazy or do they just not care?

Well, I can't assume that everyone is as interested in the minutia of grammar and punctuation as I am.

Even I wouldn't be considered a die-hard grammarian like some people I've met.

Nonetheless, compared to the comma the colon is relatively simple and easy to use.

Thank the Goddess Above some punctuation is straightforward!