Question

Here is my list oranges, potatoes, garbage bags and a tooth brush. After the word 'list' identify which one of the following is required.

• A. colon
• B. quotation marks
• C. semicolon
• D. none of these

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand the sentence
The sentence given is: “Here is my list oranges, potatoes, garbage bags and a tooth brush.” The focus is on what punctuation mark is required after the word "list" in order to make the sentence grammatically correct and properly formatted.

Step 2: Rule of punctuation with lists
In English grammar, when introducing a list, the correct punctuation mark to use after words like “list,” “as follows,” or “the following” is a colon (:). The colon signals that what comes next is an enumeration or explanation of the introductory phrase.

Step 3: Apply the rule to the given sentence
The correct version of the sentence would be: “Here is my list: oranges, potatoes, garbage bags, and a tooth brush.” The colon after “list” introduces the items clearly and separates the introductory statement from the enumerated elements.

Step 4: Why not other punctuation marks
- A comma would be incorrect because it does not indicate the start of a list.
- A semicolon is used to separate complex items within a list, not to introduce one.
- A period would prematurely end the sentence.

Final Answer: The correct option is (A) colon, because a colon properly introduces the items in the list.