TYPICAL ERROR It was a different kind of sleep, we were completely at rest and yet we
seemed to be aware of what was going on around us.
CORRECTION It was a different kind of sleep: we were completely at rest and yet we seemed to be aware of what was going on around us.
EXPLANATION A colon indicates that what follows is in some way an explanation or elaboration of what precedes the colon. Here are some more examples:
- Natasha, Matt, Lauren and Sam put up the tent in 10 minutes: many hands make light work!
- The zoo is very well established: for example, it even has a panda enclosure.
- I can't remember exactly what Churchill said on that occasion but it went something like this: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.'
- We can learn a lot from our mistakes: they can help us become stronger people.
Move the colon to the correct place in the sentence.