Why use a colon?
Like other punctuation marks, the colon's purpose is to send some kind of signal to the reader. In most cases, the colon tells the reader to expect some additional information about an idea that has been introduced while also making the reader pause a little bit before that information is given.
Listing
This usage is an easy one! Instead of using a connecting word or phrase (such as because or for example), we just use a colon followed by our list.
Please remember to bring these three things every week: a notebook, a pencil, and your textbook.
Ayako has been to four countries in Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines.
If you're planning to travel abroad, you need to get the following: a passport, a good travel guide, and travel insurance.
Explanation & Clarification
The colon is often used to give examples, reasons, or some other extra information.
The shinkansen is definitely the best way to go to Tokyo from Osaka: it takes you into the center of the city, and it is often cheaper and faster than flying.
The best feature of our company's new laptop computer is this: the battery lasts over ten hours but takes only one hour to recharge.
We couldn't finish the project on time: we just didn't have enough people to work on it.
When Not to Use a Colon
(Note that the following sentences are examples of unnatural usage!)
1. The colon shouldn't be used when the part following it is the direct object of the verb.
Keiko loves: sushi, okonomiyaki, and yakitori.
2. The colon shouldn't be used when the part following it is the object of the preposition.
On weekends, I like to: study, watch movies, and get a little extra sleep.
Exercises
1) Click the "Original" button and make any necessary changes to the sentence. (Type or remove the punctuation marks in the box.)
[Original]のボタンをクリックすると下のスペースに文章がでてきます。 まちがっていると思う箇所を訂正しましょう。（コンマなどの句読点マークを入れたり、削ったりして下さい。）
2) Click "Check!" to check your answer.
[Check]のボタンをクリックし答をチェックしてみましょう。
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