when to use colons
Use a colon. between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. If the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter. 1  Freud (1930/1961) wrote of two urges: an urge toward union with others and an egoistic urge toward happiness. 2  They have agreed on the outcome: Informed participants perform better than do uninformed participants.