Grammar Tips & Articles »

Introducing a List

This Grammar.com article is about Introducing a List — enjoy your reading!


1:16 min read
20,872 Views
  Ed Good  —  Grammar Tips
Font size:

A List

Use the colon to introduce a list or a series:

The committee's study focused on the most critical areas: development of software, needed changes in computer systems, and recruitment of new engineers.

Use of namely, that is, etc.

If the list or series is introduced by such expressions as namely, for instance, for example, or that is, do not use a colon unless the series consists of one or more grammatically complete clauses:

The committee's study focused on the most critical areas, namely, development of software, needed changes in computer systems, and recruitment of new engineers.

We face several obstacles, that is: The employee must complain to the committee; the committee must review the complaint; and the commissioner must then decide the outcome of the dispute.

List Completes the Sentence

Do not use a colon to introduce a list that is a complement or object of an element in the introductory statement:

The agency must (1) publish the notice in the Federal Register, (2) wait the prescribed period of time, and (3) consider any comments received.

The committee rejected (1) the employee's evidence, (2) the supervisor's report, and (3) both parties' requests for relief.

The Expression as follows

The term as follows or the following requires a colon if followed directly by the illustrating or enumerated items or if the introducing clause is incomplete without the items:

The factors are as follows: (1) reasonable expectations, (2) intent, and (3) sufficient evidence.

 

Previous: Colon and Independent Clauses

Next: Introducing Statements or Quotations

Rate this article:

Have a discussion about this article with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this article to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Introducing a List." Grammar.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.grammar.com/introducing-a-list>.

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Browse Grammar.com

    Free Writing Tool:

    Instant
    Grammar Checker

    Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing -- and it's FREE!


    Quiz

    Are you a grammar master?

    »
    Choose the sentence with correct use of the possessive pronoun:
    A The book is hers, not yours.
    B They are going on vacation with them.
    C He gave the gift to her.
    D Our house is bigger than theirs.

    Improve your writing now:

    Download Grammar eBooks

    It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages.