What can I use instead of a colon?

What can I use instead of a colon?

(3) The special conditions requiring a colon are absent. Here is a famous example: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. A semicolon can always, in principle, be replaced either by a full stop (yielding two separate sentences) or by the word and (possibly preceded by a joining comma).

Is there a space before and after a colon?

The colon is used to separate hours from minutes, with no space before or after the colon.

Is APA two spaces after period?

Use one space after a period (or other punctuation mark at the end of a sentence) when writing in APA Style. However, if your instructor or non-APA publisher has other requirements (e.g., to use two spaces), follow their specifications.

Do you double space after a question mark?

Unless you are typing on an actual typewriter, you no longer have to put two spaces after a period. Or a question mark. Or an exclamation point. The rule applies to all end punctuation.

Should there be 2 spaces after a period?

Nearly all style guides agree that one space is correct. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) was the only style guide that overtly recommended two spaces after a period, and even that long-time holdout for two spaces changed its guideline to one space in its 2019 update.

When should a semicolon be used?

Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.

Do you put a space after a comma?

Put a space after a comma. Do not put a space before a comma. In a sentence, the last two items usually do not need a comma between them as they are separated by “and”.

What is the proper way to use a colon?

You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing.

Can a colon follow a question mark?

There is nothing wrong with using a question mark followed by a colon. You might have just been looking at it for too long.

How many spaces go after a period in MLA?

Punctuation Spacing – Leave one space after a period or other concluding punctuation mark, unless your instructor prefers two spaces.

Is there a space before a question mark?

Question marks go at the end of sentences that are questions. As with full stops you do not put a space before a question mark, but you do need at least one space after one (two spaces for purists).