Learn English – use two colons in a sentence

colonpunctuationwriting-style

Can I use two colons in a sentence? A typical example would be something like the following:

Note: I have substantial experience with the following languages: Python, Java, C++, and Perl.

I have often wanted to write something similar but have been forcing rewrites in order to get around using two colons in the same sentence. The general pattern is:

Note: [sentence with a colon].

Is this use of two colons acceptable?


(This question is similar but distinct from Can I use a colon twice in one sentence? due to that question's focus on colons and lists.)

Best Answer

Note: I have only minimal experience with most of the languages below: I find the ideas behind them fascinating, but claim no expertise in them, so please point out any corrections and errors.

In the original example (pre-edit), the second colon is used wrongly, and should be replaced by either a full-stop/period or a semi-colon.

Note: I have only minimal experience with most of the languages below. I find the ideas behind them fascinating, but claim no expertise in them, so please point out any corrections and errors.

Using colons is explained well here. The example above uses "Note:" which is perfectly acceptable, but the second usage does not fit with any of the rules. You would expect the sentence "I have only minimal experience with most of the languages below" to be followed by a colon if you then went on to list the languages, but your example does not follow this structure.

EDIT: In response to Peter's comment, a sentence such as

Note: I have substantial experience with the following languages: Python, Java, C++, and Perl.

Seems perfectly acceptable using two colons.

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