In writing, we use a colon to signal the coming of a list and after the greeting of a business letter, but there are three other uses for the colon.
Writing Time: We use a colon between the hour and the minutes when writing time.
3:00
4:30
7:15
Writing a Ratio: A ratio shows a relation between two numbers.
2:1 is a ratio meaning there are two of the first thing for every one of the second thing.
5:8 is a ration meaning there are five of the first thing for every eight of the second thing.
Writing Bible verses: When we refer to words written in the Bible, we cite chapter and verse.
John 3:16 – The book of John, the third chapter, the 16th verse.
Genesis 1:1 – The book of Genesis, the first chapter, the first verse.
The colon is used when writing time, ratios, and Bible verses.
▶It’s your turn. Find two places in this sentence where a colon should be inserted. At 215 today, we will read John 3 16 to the class. Did you put in two colons? Good for you!