Is it okay to use 'to name a few' with a colon

Question

Is the following sentence correct?

The list had a variety of foodstuffs: oranges, apples, bananas and sardines to name a few.

Is it okay to use the phrase 'to name a few' with a colon, and also do I need to put a comma before 'to name a few'?

Anton · Answer

One of the functions of the colon is to introduce a following list

Lexico

Hence, your colon usage is correct. Your list is separated properly by commas with and as the last conjunction. But the list’s qualifying phrase to name a few needs to be separated from it by a comma. Otherwise we have the momentary image of talking sardines!

Is it okay to use 'to name a few' with a colon

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