Capitalisation after colon

[marenparn]

When are the words after colon capitalised (except, of course, proper names, etc, and if colon on is used before a citation)? Is it something peculiar to AmE?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Barb_D]

If what follows the colon is a complete sentence, some style guides will tell you to capitalize that first letter. Others will say to never capitalize what follows a colon (except proper names). Certainly don't do it if what follows the colon is a list.

Do you want to give an example of one you wouldn't be sure of?

[a writer, not a teacher]

[marenparn]

If what follows the colon is a complete sentence, some style guides will tell you to capitalize that first letter. Others will say to never capitalize what follows a colon (except proper names). Certainly don't do it if what follows the colon is a list.

Do you want to give an example of one you wouldn't be sure of?

[a writer, not a teacher]

Thanks, Barb-D. Your reply was sufficient. I know about the list after colon. I wasn't really sure about the whole sentence - and neither seem the style guides. Which one would you prefer (capitalised or not)?

[Barb_D]

Oh, bullets are an ENTIRELY different thing.

But for something like this...
Items to bring: umbrella, boots, raincoat, bug spray
...then, NO, do not capitalize.

I almost always capitalize in a bulleted list. They look naked otherwise. :)

As to whether I prefer a capital after a colon when it's a full sentence -- I prefer whatever the company's style guide says.

[tdav]

If the colon (:) comes before a list, the word after the colon is not capitalised (otherwise this is necessary due to another overriding rule, e.g., the word is a proper name).

Please see this link on capitalisation:
Capitalization | Punctuation Rules