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Ignorant88 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
The letter after ':"
I have a question concerning the letter coming after ":" I find that sometimes they capitalize the letter after ":" and sometimes they don't.
When do you capitalize the first letter coming after ":" and when do you not capitalize?
e.g. The truth, however, remains: The stronger have many more ways of coping... around. (This one capitalizes the 'T')
e.g. To say...the ideals of the French or American Revolution: while particular...upon. (This one does not capitalize the "w")
Why is that? Is there some rule?
Thanks for your help!
When do you capitalize the first letter coming after ":" and when do you not capitalize?
e.g. The truth, however, remains: The stronger have many more ways of coping... around. (This one capitalizes the 'T')
e.g. To say...the ideals of the French or American Revolution: while particular...upon. (This one does not capitalize the "w")
Why is that? Is there some rule?
Thanks for your help!
Top answer
When the colon introduces a complete sentence, some people capitalize the first letter -- not all, though. My English teachers never said we had to do that. So, I think it's a style issue.
- When the colon introduces a complete sentence, some people capitalize the first letter -- not all, though.
- My English teachers never said we had to do that.
- So, I think it's a style issue.
- Everyone agrees, though, that when the colon introduces a fragment (a phrase, dependent clause, a word, etc), you should never capitalize the first letter.
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8 Answers
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When the colon introduces a complete sentence, some people capitalize the first letter -- not all, though. My English teachers never said we had to do that. So, I think it's a style issue.
Everyone agrees, though, that when the colon introduces a fragment (a phrase, dependent clause, a word, etc), you should never capitalize the first letter.
Everyone agrees, though, that when the colon introduces a fragment (a phrase, dependent clause, a word, etc), you should never capitalize the first letter.
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Hi,
I'd go farther, and say that capitalizing after a colon is incorrect, except in special cases like a proper noun or a colon that introduces direct speech.
Best wishes, Clive
I'd go farther, and say that capitalizing after a colon is incorrect, except in special cases like a proper noun or a colon that introduces direct speech.
Best wishes, Clive
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I think it's falling out of usage -- maybe some people still do this in very formal settings, but probably not. I found a website with some guidelines, and it says this:
"There is some disagreement among writing reference manuals about when you should capitalize an independent clause follow
"There is some disagreement among writing reference manuals about when you should capitalize an independent clause follow
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Hi,
Most of the manuals advise that when you have more than one sentence in your explanation . . . . . a capital is a good idea.
Interesting. Did you happen to find an example of what they meant by this?
Best wishes again, Clive
Most of the manuals advise that when you have more than one sentence in your explanation . . . . . a capital is a good idea.
Interesting. Did you happen to find an example of what they meant by this?
Best wishes again, Clive
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Yes, they have an example on their page:
"There were two reasons for a drop in attendance at NBA games this season: First, there was no superstar to take the place of Michael Jordan. Second, fans were disillusioned about the misbehavior of several prominent players."
They also have a couple other interesting guidelines:
"If the introductory phrase preceding the colon is
"There were two reasons for a drop in attendance at NBA games this season: First, there was no superstar to take the place of Michael Jordan. Second, fans were disillusioned about the misbehavior of several prominent players."
They also have a couple other interesting guidelines:
"If the introductory phrase preceding the colon is
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Hi,
Well, style is style, I suppose, and people have different opinions, including me. I wouldn't write these in this way, and I have particular difficulty in seeing the first one, about the NBA, as acceptable.
Best wishes again, Clive
Well, style is style, I suppose, and people have different opinions, including me. I wouldn't write these in this way, and I have particular difficulty in seeing the first one, about the NBA, as acceptable.
Best wishes again, Clive
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CliveHi,You wrote "I'd go farther..." Shouldn't it be 'further'?
I'd go farther, and say that capitalizing after a colon is incorrect, except in special cases like a proper noun or a colon that introduces direct speech.
Best wishes, Clive
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