Exploring the Linking Function of the Colon

This video tutorial explains the various functions of the colon in English punctuation. It covers how colons can link independent and dependent clauses, introduce lists, items, and quotes, and even connect two independent clauses in rare cases. The tutorial provides examples to illustrate these uses, emphasizing the colon's role in linking and introducing information.

What is a colon?

• A punctuation mark with three dots

• A punctuation mark with a single dot

• A punctuation mark with a dot and a comma

• A punctuation mark with two dots stacked vertically

What can a colon link?

• Only phrases

• Independent or dependent clauses, phrases, or words

• Only dependent clauses

• Only independent clauses

In the sentence 'Both movies are great but Sky pal has one thing that makes it better: dogs that play sports,' what does the colon do?

• Separates two unrelated ideas

• Ends the sentence

• Introduces a list

• Connects the first part of the sentence to the explanation

What is the purpose of the colon in the sentence 'Going skydiving made me face one of my greatest fears: parachutes'?

• To separate two unrelated ideas

• To end the sentence

• To link the independent clause to the word 'parachutes'

• To introduce a list

Which of the following can a colon introduce?

• A list, an item, or a quote

• Only a list

• Only an item

• Only a quote

In the sentence 'We needed to find three more items on the scavenger hunt: a four-leaf clover, a cauldron, and an abandoned ship,' what is the colon introducing?

• A dependent clause

• A list

• An item

• A quote

What is the rare usage of a colon mentioned in the video?

• Introducing a list

• Linking two independent clauses

• Introducing a quote

• Linking a dependent clause to a phrase

In the sentence 'Remember to take off your sunglasses when you drive through a tunnel: you can't see when it's that dark,' what does the colon do?

• Explains why you need to take off your sunglasses

• Ends the sentence

• Introduces a list

• Separates two unrelated ideas

When is it appropriate to use a colon between two independent clauses?

• When introducing a list

• When the two parts are unrelated

• When ending a sentence

• When the second part explains or emphasizes the first part

What is the main takeaway about the colon's function?

• It is the same as a semicolon

• It is rarely used

• It can link and introduce various elements

• It can only introduce lists