Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Colon"

A: The colon is used to separate a sentence from a list, in most cases. it is rare that we use a colon in our writing unless we are starting a list.

A:
Column: O sounds similar to ah, like in "all." U sounds like uh, like in "fun."

Colon: Both O sounds are similar to the oh in "oh my god."

So overall column is more ahhh sounds and colon is more ohhh sounds if that makes sense.

A: A colon is usually used preceeding a list, or for example. Like here, for example:

I need to buy: Carrots, potatoes, bread, cheese and milk.


A semicolon is not used regularly, and is mainly only used in literature or academic writing. It is similar to a period as it separates sentences, but in a way that the two sentences have to be related but could stand on their own. For example:

Slow down; he's just woken up.

Here 'Slow down' and 'he's just woken up' can both be separate sentences, but as a stylistic choice you can use a semicolon as they are still related.

Some examples where you wouldn't use a semicolon:

'He had just woken up. Clara was not in the bedroom.'
Here the sentences are not related enough, so you use a period.

'He woke up, got out of bed, and looked for Clara.'
Here 'got out of bed' and 'and looked for Clara' cannot be on their own as sentences, so you use a comma.

A: They are opposites.

The "colon" denotes that the following clause describes the preceding sentence.

"I have three pets: a dog, a cat, and a mouse."

The "semicolon" connects a clause that makes an independent statement

"I have three pets; but I'm allergic to all of them!"

A: Colon is used to introduce a quote, example or list.
He said: "This is dumb."
He was only here for one thing: revenge.
There are three kinds of chemicals: acids, alkalis and neutral.

Semicolon is to join two independent but related clauses.
My son is a doctor; my daughter is a teacher.

A: I have drunk too much of cola is not grammatically correct but I have drunk too much cola is.

A: Glue

A: glue

A: Line

A: Glue

A: @ddaannaa: "Line at the bank"

A: Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.

Genesis 1:1-3. Genesis chapter 1, verses 1 to 3.

sometimes for a single (famous) verse you might hear:

John 3:16. John 3 16

A: No, it's usually used to introduce a list.

The following countries are in Europe: Spain, France, etc.

Your example is correct if you say

"To paint the town red" means "to go out and enjoy flamboyantly."

A: Yes. To be absolutely precise though you would say "I prefer diluting cola syrup with milk rather than with sparking water".

You cannot use "than" by itself though! You must make it a comparison, e.g. "more than", "rather than".

A: "I noticed that you don't use them often"
"I noticed that you don't use them as much"
Il resto mi sembra vada bene!

A: I'd like to drink cola