英文科技论文写作样式指南-标点符号之冒号（colon）
本文英文内容摘自
"Anne M. Coghill, Lorrin R. Garson. The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information, American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2006"
第二部分（Part 2. Style Guidelines）
第9章（9. Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling）
第120–121页
Colon
冒号
Ø Use a colon to introduce a word, a phrase, a complete sentence, or several complete sentences that illustrate, clarify, or expand the information that precedes it. Capitalize the first word after a colon only if the colon introduces more than one complete sentence, a quotation, or a formal statement.
Ø 使用冒号引入一个单词、短语、一个完整的句子或几个完整的句子，以说明、澄清或扩展其前面的信息。只有当冒号引入了多个完整的语句、引文或正式陈述时，才将冒号后面的第一个单词大写。
例1：The electron density was studied for the ground state of three groups of molecules: (1) methane–methanol–carbon dioxide, (2) water–hydrogen peroxide, and (3) ferrous oxide–ferric oxide.
例2：We now report a preliminary finding: no chemical shift changes were detected in the concentration range 0.1–10 M.
例3：The following are our conclusions: Large-angle X-ray scattering studies give us an accurate picture of structures up to 9 Å. They do not allow the specification of defects, such as random ruptures of the chains. The structural models defined are strongly supported by magnetic measurements.
Ø In figure captions, use a colon to introduce explanations of symbols or other aspects of the figure.
Ø 在图形标题中，使用冒号介绍符号或图形其它方面的说明。
例1：Figure 1. Variable-temperature 1H NMR spectra of compound 12: top, 403 K; middle, 353 K; bottom, 298 K.
例2：Figure 3. Brønsted-type plots for aminolysis in 1 M KCl at 25 °C: , 2-nitrophenyl acetate; , 3-chlorobenzoic acid; , 2,6-dinitrobenzoic acid.
Ø Do not use a colon (or any punctuation) between a verb and its object or complement or between a preposition and its object.
Ø 不要在动词和宾语、补语或介词和宾语之间使用冒号（或任何标点符号）。
错误示例1：The rate constants for the reaction in increasing concentrations of sodium hydroxide are: 3.9, 4.1, 4.4, 4.6, and 4.9.
正确示例1： The rate constants for the reaction in increasing concentrations of sodium hydroxide are 3.9, 4.1, 4.4, 4.6, and 4.9.
错误示例2： The thermal decomposition was investigated with: gas chromatography, BET surface areas, and X-ray powder diffraction.
正确示例2：The thermal decomposition was investigated with gas chromatography, BET surface areas, and X-ray powder diffraction.
错误示例3： Transition-metal nitrides have many properties that make them suitable for industrial applications, including: high wear resistance, high decomposition temperature, and high microhardness.
正确示例3： Transition-metal nitrides have many properties that make them suitable for industrial applications, including high wear resistance, high decomposition temperature, and high microhardness.
Ø Use either a colon or a slash to represent a ratio, but not an en dash. Use either a slash or an en dash between components of a mixture, but not a colon.
Ø 使用冒号或斜杠来表示比率，但不能使用短划线。在混合物的成分之间使用斜杠或连字符，但不要使用冒号。
例1：
dissolved in 5:1 glycerin/water
dissolved in 5:1 glycerin–water
例2：
the metal/ligand (1:1) reaction mixture
the metal–ligand (1:1) reaction mixture
the metal–ligand (1/1) reaction mixture
例3：
the methane/oxygen/argon (1/50/450) matrix
the methane/oxygen/argon (1:50:450) matrix