Colon
A colon ( : ) is used:
1. To introduce a formal list
Dewey believed that every aspect of the child must be accepted: class, gender, language and culture.
2. To introduce an example, illustration or quotation
It tells us that the writer is going to explain what has just been said.
Discourse is not just the use of words: it is the use of loaded words to establish who is on which rung of the ladder.
Education in North America is founded on John Dewey’s principle: ‘accept the child as the child is’.
Punctuating 'however'
The word 'however' has several meanings and it is important to punctuate it correctly to avoid confusing your reader. It is used:
1. To interrupt a sentence
'However' is often used as an aside in the middle of a sentence (and thus it is not essential to the meaning). In this case it has a comma on either side.
The excursion was ruined, however, by the terrible weather.
2. To join two sentences
'However' is often used to connect two sentences, and in this context it means 'on the other hand' as it is introducing a contrasting idea. Used in this way it needs either a semi-colon or full stop before it, and a comma after it.
Effective study techniques will help you pass exams; however, you must also have a confident attitude.
Effective study techniques will help you pass exams. However, you must also have a confident attitude.
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(Note: in the first example, although 'however' is placed in the middle of a sentence, it is not used to interrupt the sentence; it actually begins a new one.) |
3. To begin a sentence (meaning no 'matter', 'whatever')
In this case it is not followed by a comma.
However much you practise driving, you cannot pass the test unless you know the road rules.
However you approach it, the problem cannot be solved.
