This is an abbreviated version of what is in my book on these eight parentheticals. PARENTHETICAL TO INTRODUCE AN APPOSITIVE Sometimes, when a person wants to explain, reiterate, rename, or restate something — that is, he wants to use an appositive — he uses a parenthetical before the appositive. These are the expressions most commonly used as parentheticals before an …
The Colon or the Dash
There is a place where the rule for the colon and the rule for the dash overlap, in other words, a place where each one is correct. …There are several things to consider: money outlay, time spent, manpower involved. …There are several things to consider — money outlay, time spent, manpower involved. In this instance, it is really best to opt for the colon …
“i.e.” and Its Friends
These eight expressions are often used when something is being renamed or reiterated: i.e., that is, e.g., for example, to wit, namely, for instance, in other words The punctuation depends upon where they are in the sentence and/or what follows them. There are six rules; so we will do a few at a time. WHEN THESE WORDS AND WHAT FOLLOWS …
Capitalization after a Dash and a Colon
Capitalize the first word after a colon only when it begins a complete sentence. …This is what I want to know: What day did he arrive? …This is what I want to know: the day he arrived. …He provided the following data: The date was the 4th at a little after 5:00. …He provided the following data: the 4th of …