A colon has three main uses:
- To introduce a quotation or direct speech.
- e.g. The teacher was furious: ‘do your homework or you’re in trouble’, she says.
- To introduce a list.
- e.g. I must remember to do the following: finish my homework, watch ‘Neighbours’ and walk the dog.
- To create emphasis.
- e.g. There’s only one way I can describe that: rubbish.