COMPOUND SENTENCE WITH EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (clauses separated by a colon)
General statement (idea) : specific statement (example).
----- (independent clause : (independent clause)
Explanation
Many of you use this sentence construction naturally. Some of you work at it, but don't know the rules. Although this sentence construction is a compound, it is very different in content, as the colon implies. The colon performs a special function: It signals the reader that something important or explanatory will follow (as this very sentence illustrates). In this pattern, the colon signals that the second clause will specifically explain or expand some idea expressed only vaguely in the first clause.
The first statement sill contain a word or an idea that needs explaining; the second statement will give some specific information or example about the idea.
When to use this pattern
Use it when you want the second part of the sentence to explain the first part, give an example, or provide an answer to an implied question.
Examples
Darwin's The Origin of Species forcibly states a harsh truth: Only the fittest survive.
Remember Yogi Berra's advice: It ain't over till it's over.
"The murmuring water, the morning fresh garden unheated yet by the lemon sun, the flight of a white-browed blackbird: all helped to make unreal the tableau of the man kneeling by the sundial." -- Reginald Hill, Ruling Passion
Old cars and young children have several things in common: Both are a responsibility and have to be fed often or they break down," Claudia Glenn Downing, Lear's, November 1992
- - Examples from The Art of Styling Sentences by Ann Longknife and K.D. Sullivan
Exercise
Write a short 4-5 sentence paragraph concerning your reading about Frankenstein. Include a colon.
Shelley's Frankestein was definitely more enjoyable to read than Conrad's Heart of Dearkness due to its complex, yet simpler writing. I was a tleast able to understand what the letters were talking about. I realized one theme that I thought was going to re-appear frequently throughout the book: Knowledge is painful. Robert Walton explains to his sister that he feels very isolated during his sail to the North Pole and the sailors on his boat feels very anticipated to learn more about the sick guy who was found on the sledge. Walton also wanted to know but he held onto his questions because he knew that the guy was sick. All of those people were experiencing some kind of anticipation or grief on their journey to discover something new or to learn. I like this book! : )
- General statement (idea) : specific statement (example).
----- (independent clause : (independent clause)Explanation
Many of you use this sentence construction naturally. Some of you work at it, but don't know the rules. Although this sentence construction is a compound, it is very different in content, as the colon implies. The colon performs a special function: It signals the reader that something important or explanatory will follow (as this very sentence illustrates). In this pattern, the colon signals that the second clause will specifically explain or expand some idea expressed only vaguely in the first clause.
The first statement sill contain a word or an idea that needs explaining; the second statement will give some specific information or example about the idea.
When to use this pattern
Use it when you want the second part of the sentence to explain the first part, give an example, or provide an answer to an implied question.
Examples
- Darwin's The Origin of Species forcibly states a harsh truth: Only the fittest survive.
- Remember Yogi Berra's advice: It ain't over till it's over.
- "The murmuring water, the morning fresh garden unheated yet by the lemon sun, the flight of a white-browed blackbird: all helped to make unreal the tableau of the man kneeling by the sundial." -- Reginald Hill, Ruling Passion
- Old cars and young children have several things in common: Both are a responsibility and have to be fed often or they break down," Claudia Glenn Downing, Lear's, November 1992
- - Examples from The Art of Styling Sentences by Ann Longknife and K.D. SullivanAdditional Sources on Colons
Leo on Colons
eHow on Colons(with a punctuation and capitalization tip)
Exercise
Write a short 4-5 sentence paragraph concerning your reading about Frankenstein. Include a colon.
Shelley's Frankestein was definitely more enjoyable to read than Conrad's Heart of Dearkness due to its complex, yet simpler writing. I was a tleast able to understand what the letters were talking about. I realized one theme that I thought was going to re-appear frequently throughout the book: Knowledge is painful. Robert Walton explains to his sister that he feels very isolated during his sail to the North Pole and the sailors on his boat feels very anticipated to learn more about the sick guy who was found on the sledge. Walton also wanted to know but he held onto his questions because he knew that the guy was sick. All of those people were experiencing some kind of anticipation or grief on their journey to discover something new or to learn. I like this book! : )