Year 6 English: The colon to introduce a list or an explanation

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   She packed three things for the trip
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   She packed three things for the trip: a torch, a map and a flask.
3. Write the answer.
   She packed three things for the trip: a torch, a map and a flask.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   The recipe needs four ingredients
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   The recipe needs four ingredients: flour, eggs, milk and sugar.
3. Write the answer.
   The recipe needs four ingredients: flour, eggs, milk and sugar.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   The club meets on three days
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   The club meets on three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
3. Write the answer.
   The club meets on three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   The garden has many plants
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   The garden has many plants: roses, tulips and daisies.
3. Write the answer.
   The garden has many plants: roses, tulips and daisies.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Test each choice against the sentence or the text.

1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
2. Test the choice. The list follows a verb with no colon in this sentence.
   The team needs a ball and a net. fits
3. Reject the other choices. A colon comes after a complete sentence, not straight after a verb.
   The team needs: a ball and a net. do not fit
4. Write the answer.
   The team needs a ball and a net.

Check. The choice fits the sentence or the text. ✓

Method. Write a complete sentence, then the list.

1. Write the sentence. The farm has three animals is complete.
   The farm has three animals
2. Add the colon and list. A colon introduces the list of animals.
   a cow, a goat and a pig
3. Write the answer.
   The farm has three animals: a cow, a goat and a pig.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Method. Find the complete sentence, then add a colon before the explanation.

1. Find the introduction. Mia had one problem she could not solve is a complete sentence.
   Mia had one problem
2. Add the colon. The explanation she had lost her key follows the colon.
   she had lost her key
3. Write the answer.
   Mia had one problem she could not solve: she had lost her key.

Check. The colon introduces the explanation. ✓

Method. Check where the colon follows a complete sentence.

1. Check A. A puts the colon after the verb is.
   A
2. Check B. B puts the colon after a complete sentence.
   B
3. Write the answer.
   B

Check. B is correct. ✓

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   The school day has three parts
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   The school day has three parts: registration, lessons and lunch.
3. Write the answer.
   The school day has three parts: registration, lessons and lunch.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Find the words after the colon.

1. Find the colon. The colon is after the rule is clear.
   clear:
2. Copy the words after it. The words after the colon explain the rule.
   every pupil must wear a name badge
3. Write the answer.
   every pupil must wear a name badge

Check. The words after the colon explain the rule. ✓

Method. Think about what the colon introduces.

1. Think about the sentence. A complete sentence can stand alone.
   stand alone
2. Think about the list. The list or explanation follows the colon.
   follows the colon
3. Write the answer.
   The sentence must stand alone before the colon, so that the list or explanation follows it clearly.

Check. The colon follows a complete sentence. ✓

Method. Use a colon after the introduction, then write the list.

1. Find the introduction. The introduction is a complete sentence before the list.
   The garden has many plants
2. Add the colon and the list. A colon introduces the list; items are separated by commas, with and before the last one.
   The garden has many plants: roses, tulips and daisies.
3. Write the answer.
   The garden has many plants: roses, tulips and daisies.

Check. The colon introduces the list. ✓

Watch out. Do not put a colon straight after a verb, such as is or are.

Method. Write a complete sentence, then a colon, then the list.

1. Write the sentence. The flag has three colours is complete.
   The flag has three colours
2. Add the colon and list. Red, white and blue are the three colours.
   red, white and blue
3. Write the answer.
   The flag has three colours: red, white and blue.

Check. The colon introduces the three colours. ✓