The less conservative free spirits tell you to never capitalize after a colon. Like a semicolon, a colon can connect two independent clauses, but it has several other uses as well. The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning. Click on the movie icon to the left to watch a poormans animated exercise on uses of the colon. The exception is when the colon introduces multiple sentences or. Do not capitalize course titles unless it is a very specific class. When a colon introduces a phrase or an incomplete sentence that is meant to add information to the sentence before it, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. Capitalization after colons grammar and punctuation. Its an honor that must be warranted, and in writing, capitalization is reserved only for special words. Should you capitalize the first word of a sentence after a colon. Dont capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized. Associated press stylebook, you capitalize the first letter after a colon. The exception is when the colon introduces multiple sentences or when it introduces speech.
Its not the kind of thing that, if you get wrong, people will roll their eyes or giggle behind your back or pass you over for a job or even notice. Learning techniques learning tips spanish language. You treat the first word after a dash the same way youd treat it if it followed a comma. Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably.
Lowercase the first word unless it is a proper noun or the. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Rules of using capital letters wellington house idiomas. Finally, lets talk about whether you capitalize the first word after a colon or a. When to capitalize after a colon grammar underground. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a. In your second question, the first example is correct for the same reason. Where blog posts and internal work communications are concerned you can usually get away with such.
The strategy i happen to use is pretty brainfree, which is to say that it follows ap style. More capitalization rules you probably dont know post navigation. Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. We also recommend a comma the oxford comma after lens and no comma following.
American psychological association, chicago, and associated press. In bibtex plain style, wed get what i want, which is title capitalization like this note capital after colon. Now, should you capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins a list rather than a new sentence. In general, its a style issue that depends on what is following the colon. For more on capitalization after a colon, go to colons, rules 1, 3, and 4. We would place a colon rather than a comma preceding the list of costume items in the third sentence. In cases like that, do we capitalize the word after the colon. Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and. The new york times manual of style and usage is similar. If you have microsoft powerpoint pc or mac version installed on your computer, you can download the powerpoint presentation on the semicolon to the right and the colon to the.
Also, learn the rules for spacing and capitalization after a colon. The chicago manual of style chicago style and mla style from the modern language association recommend lowercasing the first word of a sentence after a colon unless the colon precedes multiple closely related sentences, in which case the first word should be capitalized. Ask the editor frequently asked style questions ap stylebook. Cliffsnotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what youre studying, cliffsnotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Unlike the use of commas to combine very short sentences, semicolons are used for combining relatively longer sentences. When a colon introduces a list of of things, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. Dashes, colons, and commas grammar girl quick and dirty tips. Capitalization after colons the blue book of grammar and. A colon is also used between hours and minutes, titles and subtitles of books, city and publisher in bibliographies, in biblical citations between chapter and verse, and for salutations in business letters and other formal letter writing. A dash doesnt require any extra thought regarding capitalization. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. With the exception of proper nouns, it is amazing to see capitals in the middle of a sentence, and very unusual to be polite in fact, highly irregular to see experts accepting it, even if apparently sanctioned by certain style guides and.
The words before the colon entice the reader to expect what comes after the colon. Dec 14, 2018 so in apa style, you can use a colon only after a complete sentence, and you capitalize the first word after a colon when its the start of a complete sentence. Some grammarians recommend capitalizing the first word after a colon if it introduces something akin to a complete sentence. Mar 19, 2017 do not capitalize course titles unless it is a very specific class. Very few people know which words should be capitalized in a title. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook. It should be lowercase, unless of course the word after the semicolon always needs an initial capital for example, because its a proper name. Colons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. If the introductory phrase preceding the colon is very brief and the clause following the colon represents the real business of the sentence, begin the clause after the colon with a capital letter. If you have a specific question that isnt addressed in the usagov platform style guide, consult the united states government publishing office style manual pdf, download adobe reader. Should you capitalize the first word of a sentence after a. Previously published as part of grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing online sensation grammar girl makes punctuation fun and easy in grammar girls punctuation 911 mignon fogarty, a.
So in apa style, you can use a colon only after a complete sentence, and you capitalize the first word after a colon when its the start of a complete sentence. A colon may be used to introduce a concept that is a signal for the reader or audience to continue. We also use a colon after a salutation in a business letter. The first appropriate use of the semicolon is to connect two related sentences. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon unless its a proper noun. In biber, we get the exact title capitalization we typed. Some grammarians recommend capitalizing the first word after a colon if it introduces something akin to a complete sentence the less conservative free spirits tell you to never. Most of the grammar books i own only partially address vertical lists. Because your second example uses a capital h after the semicolon, it suggests that youre talking about god. The colon often can be effective in giving emphasis. According to the chicago manual of style, the word after a colon is lowercase, even if it starts a complete sentence, unless its a proper noun. There are two schools of thought regarding postcolon capitalization sounds like an awful surgical procedure, doesnt it. When to capitalize after a colon grammar underground with.
After that, it looked like the author was trying to make a book out of an essay. Semicolon, when to capitalize after a colon posted in blog. May, 20 very few people know which words should be capitalized in a title. Jul 02, 2017 if the first word after the colon is i, or a proper noun, then it is of course capitalised as usual. Current common practice is to capitalize if what follows the colon is a multiple sentences or b a maxim and to lowercase if what follows the colon is not a complete sentence. Source for comma rules writers write offers the best writing courses in south africa. Do not capitalize the first word of a list after a colon. In english grammar, is it acceptable to capitalize the. In the second sentence, we would change but he to but holmes for clarity. Semicolon, when to capitalize after a colon posted in blog no comments.
If only one sentence follows the colon, it is often not necessary to capitalize the first word of the new sentence. Grammar girl, is determined to wipe out bad punctuationbut shes also determined to make the process as painless as possible. In british english, the word following a colon is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun or an acronym. Dec 23, 2018 grammar girl explains how to use colons. This question has been sent in by jake, and posted by the grammar exchange. Capitalization in titles and headings hyphenated words. Should the first word of the clause or phrase following a colon be capitalized. Do not capitalize the first item in a list that follows a colon. Finally, lets talk about whether you capitalize the first word after a colon or a dash. Otherwise the convention depends on what country youre in.
One book discusses capitalization, another partially discusses punctuation, and so on. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. In english grammar, is it acceptable to capitalize the first. The most frequent use of a colon is at the end of a sentence to introduce lists, tabulations, texts, etc. If the first word after a colon in a sentence is a proper name, the pronoun i, or the. Do you capitalize the word after a colon and a semicolon. In american english, styles differ, but it is best to capitalize the first word after a colon if what follows forms two or more complete sentences. In the us, the convention is to start what follows the colon with a capital letter if. Use a colon instead of a semicolon or a period between two sentences when the second sentence explains or illustrates something in the first sentence.
If the first word after the colon is i, or a proper noun, then it is of course capitalised as usual. Lots of opinions here, but lets look to a higher authority. In american english, styles differ, but it is best to capitalize. For those looking for a quick and dirty answer, a word is not capitalized after a colon. I anticipated this book for weeks while i waited on the library reserve list. Capitalize first word after a colon if the expression after the colon is a complete sentence. Grammar girl discusses how to properly use a colon and format what comes after it, according to three different styles.
She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and the show is a fivetime winner of best education podcast in the podcast awards. In this sequel to the last tip, well zero in on some specific guidelines for capitalizing hyphenated words in titles and headings. If the word that comes after a colon or semicolon is a proper name, you definitely would capitalize it. Here are some quick tips for using colons properly. Capitalization after colons chicago style and mla style. Punctuation, capitalization, and writing numbers mastery test.
We may be confused on this topic because we remember someone saying we should capitalize the first word after a colon, but we also remember someone saying we shouldnt. Only the chicago manual of style gives the topic the respect it deserves. The only exceptions to this are classes that have the name of a language within their title. When a colon introduces a complete sentence, you may capitalize the first word after the colon according to some style guides. In fact, the majority of people adopt rules from others who dont know either. When to capitalize after a colon heres something you probably never have to worry about. Capitalize the first word of a document and the first word after a period. Water can exist in three forms solid, liquid or gas. This pretty much echoes the guidance given by sites such as grammar girl, cccf, grammarbook, unc writing center. Dashes, colons, and commas can change the way your sentences feel. The colon is being used as part of a heading or title. Is it proper to use a colon if there is only one clause or phrase. The first three chapters give a history of the semi colon and a summary of how grammar rules evolved in the us. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used in answers.
If only one sentence follows the colon, do not capitalize the first word of the new sentence. For consistency, capitalize what follows a colon if it is a complete sentence. Capitalize proper nounsand adjectives derived from proper. Understandably, many editors are confused about when to capitalize the element directly following a colon. You have a word document where one or more authors have variously used upper and lower case for the first letter of the first word after a colon e. Capitalizing words after a colon in a sentence grammar. A word is not capitalized after a semicolon as well. If the first word after a colon in a sentence is a proper name, the pronoun i, or the start of another sentence, capitalize it. Writing principles usagov platform style guide usagov. Also, in your example, a colon might be a better choice than a semicolon. Previously published as part of grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. A semicolon or colon joining two independent clauses signals a connection between them. Where blog posts and internal work communications are concerned you can usually get away with such sins, largely because those. Capitalizing words after a colon in a sentence susan rooks july 18, 2016.
Since no one really knows how to handle this issue, youll at least have something to fall back on. In other words, use a colon to introduce a vertical list only if you could logically use a period at that place in a regular sentence. Find spelling and punctuation rules, naming conventions, and other traits that characterize the usagov writing style. Semicolons, colons, and parentheses purdue writing lab. Or maybe thats just my own association, since i kept my own book in the bathroom. Sep 10, 2007 now, should you capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins a list rather than a new sentence. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing book. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. Aug 11, 2007 the comma after but in the second sentence is not necessary. Online sensation grammar girl makes punctuation fun and easy in grammar girls punctuation 911. Should i capitalize the first word that comes after a colon. Sep 01, 2011 current common practice is to capitalize if what follows the colon is a multiple sentences or b a maxim and to lowercase if what follows the colon is not a complete sentence. Feb 6, 2012 explore realgrammargirls board grammar girl. Grammar girl breaks down when and how to use colons, including when formatting lists.
Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not apply or are not appropriate. Whether youre thinking about pursuing a career in dentistry or you just have a curiosity as the patient in the chair, getting a grasp on the lingo can come in handy. There may indeed be a sentence after the colon, but the original sentence has not ended yet. The advice given above is consistent with the gregg reference manual. Capitalization with bullet lists is a matter of style.
Experts have raised valid concerns that people overuse lists in powerpoint presentations 1 and for presenting. Proper capitalization is one of the cornerstones of good grammar, yet many people fling capital letters around carelessly. The first three chapters give a history of the semicolon and a summary of how grammar rules evolved in the us. If two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence following. Apr 19, 2012 capitalization after a colon or a dash. Im more prone to use uppercase depending if i want a sharper demarcation between what precedes and follows the colon, and a lower case if i want a smoother flow.
A number of other punctuation marks are used less frequently, but still play important roles in english writing. Because what follows the colon is a complete sentence, the second example is correct, with the next letter capitalized. Macro to change first letter after a colon to upper. Many of the prominent families of this new england state were slaveholders prior to 1850. Lucky for us, ap and chicago agree on one thing before they part ways. We decided another form of recognition might be more agreeable to wilson. Jun 24, 2016 for those looking for a quick and dirty answer, a word is not capitalized after a colon. Christmas just came early for those passionate about punctuation. The words after a colon define or clarify what came before the colon. Capitalization is the writing of a word with its first letter in uppercase and the remaining letters in lowercase.
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