4．The Colon冒号

A colon serves a specific function:it tells the reader“listen to this，”or“here is something important．”．Study the following uses of the colon．

冒号主要起说明作用，提示读者此处应当注意。

a．Colon before a list

A colon is used to introduce a list within a sentence or a list that is tabulated．Before the colon appears，the reader is often given a hint that a list will follow by such words as the following，as follows，this or these．

下列词the following，as follows，this or these等表示列举时其后常用冒号。

The total price of $ 1，568 includes the following:

①A 48K microcomputer;

②A disk drive;

③A monitor;

④A monitor stand;

⑤The disk operating system(DOS);

⑥Four comprehensive system manuals;

⑦Accounting and word processing software package．

You may pay for your purchase in any of these convenient ways:by check，by moneyorder，or by credit card．

b．Colon for emphasis

A colon may be used to give added emphasis to a word，a phrase，or a sentence．

有时为表示特别强调，也可用冒号。

You know as well as I when we must start this project:immediately．

She gave a very good reason for delaying this order:to save the $ 100 shipping charge．

Melinda repeated her well-known rule:Each credit application must be checked carefully．

When a colon precedes a complete sentence，as in the last example，the first word of the sentence is capitalized if the sentence states a formal rule or requires additional emphasis．However，if the sentence following the colon merely completes the main thought，use a lowercase letter．

冒号后的分句如果是对前句的补充，则该分句的首写字母无须大写；但如果是对前句意义的强调，则首写字母须大写。

Lowell explained why he cannot attend the conference:he will be on jury duty for that entire week．

Remember:No one will be admitted without a company identification card．