Punctuation
Q.Hi, CMOS people. You answered a question for me a few days ago, about using a comma or a colon to introduce dialogue in a book project we are doing. We took your advice and are using commas. My friend, though, would still like to use a colon to introduce internal dialogue. (Michael thought: if I go home now, Mother will know I forgot something). Would that be OK, or should we stick to commas for everything? Thanks!!
A.Why is your friend so stuck on colons? Commas have been doing this work forever; they are quiet and unobtrusive and effective. Colons have other jobs. They are noisier and distracting. I would save the colons for when you really need them.
