Be careful with colons in the following situations.
- Instead of a comma
Do not use a colon to substitute a comma. Therefore, not
To complete your admission application: send the required documents by the end of the month.
but
To complete your admission application, send the required documents by the end of the month. - After a preposition
Do not use colons between a preposition and its complement. Therefore, notThe Council announced cutbacks in: research funding, international cooperation and staff development.
butThe Council announced cutbacks in research funding, international cooperation and staff development. - Two or more colons in a sentence
Never use more than one colon in a sentence. Therefore, notThe Council’s priorities are controversial: they have been praised and criticized by all groups: PDI, PTGAS and students.
butThe Council’s priorities are controversial. They have been praised and criticized by all groups: PDI, PTGAS and students.
Note, however, that you can use a semicolon and a colon in the same sentence.The Government cutbacks have been devastating; protests are planned by many people working in the most affected areas: education, healthcare and social services.
Recommended citation:
«Common mistakes» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2289> [consulta: 23 gener 2026].