Grammar: ✨ Grammar Essentials: ✏️ Writing Mechanics - Advanced (B2) - Lesson 3: Effective Use of Colons (introducing quotes, summaries, further explanations)

Grammar: Punctuation C2 Lesson 3: Effective Use of Colons What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly use a colon (:) to introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation. Why It Matters: The Golden Rule A colon (:) is a "gateway" punctuation mark. It signals to the reader: "Pay attention, here comes an explanation or a list." The most important rule is that the part of the sentence before the colon must be an independent clause (a complete sentence). ❌ Incorrect "The key ingredients are : kroeung paste, coconut milk, and meat. " (This is wrong because "The key ingredients are" is not a complete sentence.) ✅ Correct "To make Khmer curry, you need three key ingredients : kroeung paste, coconut milk, and meat. " (This is correct because the part before the colon is a complete sentence.) The Three Main Uses of a Colon 📖 1. To Introduce a List Use a colon to introduce a list of items, but only after a complete sentenc…