Colon Usage: When to Avoid Colons

Avoid colons in these situations:

• After the salutation of a business letter (use a comma).
• Between a title and subtitle (use a colon only if the style guide requires; often a dash or new line).
• Within a compound adjective preceding a noun (use hyphens, not a colon).
• After a phrase that is already complete (redundant).
• To join two independent clauses when a comma suffices (use a semicolon or period).

Colons introduce lists, explanations, or amplifications that follow a complete independent clause.