Question

Which of the following sentences illustrate the correct use of a colon? Select all that apply.

1. My cat insists that I wake up at 6:00 every morning: She walks on me, cries, and bites my hands if I stay in bed.
2. Three of David Bowie's 1970s albums are commonly referred to as his Berlin Trilogy: Low, Heroes, and Lodger.
3. I'm waiting for an opportunity to use my favorite Shakespearean insult: the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril.
4. In the immortal words of Vizzini: Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
5. Heather plays several instruments, including: guitar, bass, and drums.

Answer 1

Sentences 2 and 3 correctly use a colon to introduce lists and quotations. Sentence 5 is incorrect because it follows the word 'including', which already suggests a list will follow. Sentences 1 and 4 improperly use colons between independent clauses that do not amplify or explain the first clause.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct use of a colon is illustrated in the following sentences where the colon properly introduces a list, a quotation, or amplifies an idea directly related to the preceding independent clause. Sentence 2, "Three of David Bowie's 1970s albums are commonly referred to as his Berlin Trilogy: Low, Heroes, and Lodger," correctly uses a colon to introduce a list that specifies the albums referred to as David Bowie's Berlin Trilogy. Sentence 3, "I'm waiting for an opportunity to use my favorite Shakespearean insult: the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril," correctly uses the colon to introduce a quotation that is an insult from Shakespeare. Sentence 5 is incorrect because colons should not be used after expressions such as 'including' that indicate that a list will follow; therefore, the colon should be omitted. Sentences 1 and 4 are also incorrect because they use a colon to connect two independent clauses without the second clause being an elaboration or explanation of the first, which is not in compliance with the guidelines on using colons to join independent clauses.