Question

Choose the correct sentence of the given, in terms of the usage ‘colon’.
A) On a rainy night, his eyes could focus on only one thing the lighthouse.
B) On a rainy night, his eyes could focus on only one thing: the lighthouse.
C) On a rainy night, his eyes: could focus on only one thing the lighthouse.
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint:The colon (:) is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first clause.

Complete answer:
Option A) In the rainy night, his eyes could focus on only one thing the lighthouse – is an incorrect answer because this option does not include a colon which is necessary for a pause between the clauses. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) In the rainy night, his eyes could focus on only one thing: the lighthouse – is the correct answer because colon is used in this option and it gives the detailed information and connects two independent clauses that is ‘his eyes could focus on one thing and lighthouse. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option C) In the rainy night, his eyes: could focus only one thing the lighthouse – is an incorrect answer because his eyes and could only focus one thing the lighthouse are not independent clauses, thus, colon is not used here. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.
Option D) None of these – this option is void because Option B is the right answer as explained above. Thus, this is a null option.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘ B’.

Note: According to general rule, a colon can be used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related or, when one illustrates or explains the other. Colon introduces an element or series of elements that illustrates or amplifies the information that preceded the colon. While a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses to signal a close connection between them, a colon does the job of directing you to the information following it. So, option B is the most appropriate answer as compared to any other option.