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.
Last edited by marenparn; 01-Aug-2007 at 16:33.
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]
Last edited by marenparn; 01-Aug-2007 at 17:38.
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.
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