515. The colon is more often used instead of the semi-colon after such expressions as, thus: as follows: the following: for example: etc.
The colon is also used to separate a series of sentences which are explanatory of the main clause. For example:
- The People's College has two great aims: the first is to bring education within the reach of every worker; the second is to teach from the viewpoint of the working class.
- We were advised to proceed thus: first, to be systematic in our work; second, to concentrate; third, to go slowly and surely; and last of all, to think for ourselves.
RULES FOR THE USE OF THE PERIOD
516. The period is a mark of punctuation that denotes the completion of a sentence.
517. The period is used at the close of all assertive and imperative sentences. For example:
- There is talk of peace but preparation for war.
- Claim your own at any hazard.
518. The period is used after all initials and all abbreviations, as for example: E. V. Debs; T. P. O'Connor; Mr., Dr., Co., Mass., N. Y., C. O. D., F. O. B., U. S. A., etc.
519. The period is used to separate whole numbers and decimal numbers. For example: 3.1416 9.342.
A period is used for the decimal point between dollars and cents; as: $4.50, $2.25, $16.54, $35926.72.