This book should be made available to everyone who writes executive documents. A comma is used after the salutation in more informal correspondence. 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. To my eye, a capital letter after a colon looks better and i believe it helps in. A dash doesnt require any extra thought regarding capitalization. We capitalize the beginnings of things punctuated as sentences. You treat the first word after a dash the same way youd treat it if it followed a comma.
Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation years 1 to 6 year 1. Bullet points are not a natural product of language, such as pronounantecedent agreement. Capital letters after colons are a classic example. When to capitalize after a colon grammar underground with.
The canadian style contains detailed guidance on many aspects of grammar and style for government writing. A colon can be used immediately after the greeting in a formal letter lessformal letters tend to use a comma in this location. The nook book ebook of the grammar girls punctuation 911. Normally you should capitalise only the first letter. We capitalize the first word of an independent clause that follows a colon. Its because the colon signals that what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence. A quotation that is run in to your text and introduced with a colon may begin with a lowercase or capital letter use whatever you find in the source. In old books, why is the first letter of the word after. That works fine if the colon is followed by a series of statements separated by semicolons, but a lowercase letter looks odd after a question mark, and it would also look odd to put a lowercase letter after the colon but capitals after.
Im sorry, but punctuations main purpose is to increase readability and understanding of the written word. Questions two and threeif you use the question mark as you have, its a terminal punctuation point. To my eye, a capital letter after a colon looks better and i believe it helps in understanding, too. Read socks, hats, mittens, caps talk about different things that happen in each. 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. Mar 08, 2018 i would strongly suggest picking up a book on english grammar.
We would place a colon rather than a comma preceding the list of costume items in the third sentence. Does the word after a question mark start with a capital. Many of the prominent families of this new england state were slaveholders prior to 1850. 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. But if the words that follow the colon are a complete sentence, you can choose to capitalize the first letter of the first word like you would in a stand alone. Use a lowercase letter when the word that follows the colon is normally lowercased. Teach your child to read escape room comma challenge myp 2 give. May 22, 2018 but this book lies motionless, to be caressed all the morning by the sun and to raise its covers slightly, as though acknowledging the caress. Instead, they are a feature of the documents formatting, akin to chapter titles, running headers, and.
Thats because the colon signals that what comes next is directly related to the previous sentence. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure youre on a. Learn how to capitalize the major words in titles of books, articles, songs, and more. Peter economy is a bestselling author, coauthor, and ghostwriter of more than 55 books, including several for dummies titles. The ap says use a capital letter for the first word after a colon if it is either a proper name or the first word of a complete sentence. Dashes, colons, and commas can change the way your sentences feel. Using colons grammar and punctuation grammar monster. Use a colon rather than a comma to follow the salutation in a business letter, even when addressing someone by his or her first name. When should i capitalize the first letter of the first word. In general, its a style issue that depends on what is following the colon. Sep 10, 2007 im sorry, but punctuations main purpose is to increase readability and understanding of the written word.
Alice remains capitalized, and the mysteries of punctuation are myriad, and they often come out when you are writing an essay. To put it slightly differently, you arent starting a new sentence when you use a colon or semicolon, so you would only use capitals in the places you ordinarily would. Chicago, though, says to capitalize the first letter after a colon only if. A semicolon or colon joining two independent clauses signals a connection between them. How to figure out which genre you love or how to describe the book youre writing so. Sanghoon finished typing the report and saved multiple copies of it two hours after his supervisor gave the information to him he types 85 words per minute. The writer is trying to demonstrate the rule of capitalization after a semicolon the. Colons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. Do not capitalize a coordinating conjunction and, or, nor, but, for, yet, so unless it is first or last in the title.
The two styles agree that whenever the stuff that follows a colon is less than a complete sentence, start with a lowercase letter. Dashes, colons, and commas grammar girl quick and dirty tips. In british english, we do not normally use a capital letter after a colon. 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. Detail of content to be introduced statutory requirement word regular plural noun suffixes s or es for example, dog, dogs. Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Also, learn the rules for spacing and capitalization after a colon. Like a semicolon, a colon can connect two independent clauses, but it has several other uses as well. Jun 20, 2017 a clear, precise, and comprehensive book that will give children the tools to build confidence in reading, writing, and comprehension through visual explanation. In american english, to capitalize or not to capitalize is not a question of grammar. When you convert text to initial capitals, the first letter of each word is capitalized, except for articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and some pronouns. Should you capitalize the first word of a sentence after a. Lose the colon before a subtitle, or secondary title, when the title is displayed on a book cover or movie poster. Use title case for proper nouns for example, names of people.
Colon acts like a period many writers use the colon between two independent clauses, especially when the subject matter of the second clause expands on, or exemplifies, the subject matter of the first. There are two schools of thought regarding post colon capitalization sounds like an awful surgical procedure, doesnt it. The introductory clauses are not grammatically complete sentences. In english, we actually capitalize very few things more than the french, but fewer than the germans.
Rules for capitalization in titles daily writing tips. Apr 19, 2012 if the words that follow the colon arent a complete sentence, you lowercase the first word after a colon unless its something that would be capitalized anyway, such as a name. Lisa rojany buccieri has written and ghostwritten more than 100 childrens and grownups books, both fiction and nonfiction, including board books, picture books, and young adult series. We have assumed here that our readers are interested in knowing how to capitalize and punctuate vertical lists that appear in reports, business letters. Should you capitalize the first word of a sentence after a colon. A colon is nearly always preceded by a complete sentence. And in case youre not clear on when to use a colon instead of, say, a dash or a semicolon or to start a new sentence. 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. The overnight managers connie on weekdays, john on weekends will prepare bakery goods, coffee, and tea before the morning shift arrives. Aug 11, 2007 the comma after but in the second sentence is not necessary. Should the first word after a colon be capitalized. Do not capitalize an article a, an, the unless it is first or last in the title. Capitalization is an important part of english grammar. Grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students by mignon.
Capitalization after colons grammar and punctuation. Alice remains capitalized, and the mysteries of punctuation are myriad, and they often. So, with a noncomplete sentence like yours, the word should definitely not have an initial capital letter. Initial capitalization of foreign surnames when starting a.
This topic deserves its own post because there is no absolute answer. A colon is not normally followed by a capital letter in british usage, though american usage often prefers to use a capital. Also, if the she said part is not part of a conversation in a novel does the word after the colon have to be capitalized. Some style and grammar guides even permit you to write a complete sentence within the dashes. Dont capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless. The guide to grammar and writing is a monument to inconsistency on this issue. Grammar girl seems to favor, for simplicitys sake, always using a lowercase letter after a colon whether or not what appears after the colon is an independent clause. It should be lowercase, unless of course the word after the semicolon always needs an initial capital for example, because its a proper name.
The most important guiding principle in all such matters is consistency within a document and consistency within an office or institution. Note that a is capitalized because it is the first word of the subtitle. If the colon precedes a formal quote, you should begin the language of that quote with a capital letter. Capitalize the first letter if the quotation appears after a verb of saying, regardless of the case used in the sourcebut flag any alterations you make. You should decide if you want to use american or british english, as there are some significant differences we use american english here at writing forward. Some writers start the second clause with a capital letter. In chicago style, you capitalize the first letter after the colon only when the colon introduces two or more sentences. 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 capitalize after. Grammar girl quick and dirty tips for better writing podbay. We also recommend a comma the oxford comma after lens and no comma following. 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. Dashes colons and commas grammar girl punctuation and capital letters all about the rules usage. In british english, the word following a colon is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun or an acronym.
A capital letter generally does not introduce a word, phrase, or incomplete sentence following a colon. Theres a very witty answer here from fionnula macliam, which ive upvoted. If the quote is embedded in the middle of a sentence, where it begins after the sentence has begin and the sentence continues after it, the last word before the quote is followed immediately by a comma, then a space, then the quotation mark, then the capital letter to begin the quote. When emphasizing an exact or precise time, the abbreviations a. Capitalizing words after a colon in a sentence grammar. When to capitalize after a colon grammar underground.
In american english, colons are more often followed by capital letters. The chicago manual of style online is the venerable, timetested guide to style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. If the explanation that follows the colon contains more than one sentence, you should use a capital letter. Do not use a colon after for example, that is, and namely. When should i capitalize the first letter of the first. These two abbreviations stand for the latin terms ante meridiem and post meridiem, which literally mean before noon and after. Often, its almost a definition of what came before. The first word after a colon unless it begins an independent clause. And the writers used a capital letter to start the sentence following the colon. Capitalization in titles and headings hyphenated words. Dont add anything else to a sentence after youve finished introducing the elements. And in case youre not clear on when to use a colon. Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon. When including these, put a colon after the works title and follow the same rules of composition capitalization for the subtitle.
So, what we dont know is that how to use colon usefully. Should i capitalize the first word that comes after a colon. In this sequel to the last tip, well zero in on some specific guidelines for capitalizing hyphenated words in titles and. The nook book ebook of the grammar girl s punctuation 911. What i am curious about is the capitalization of when if a colon is used in whatever context. In other cases, some guides simply advise consistency, others advise that a capital. Finally, lets talk about whether you capitalize the first word after a colon or a dash. Title case and sentence case capitalization in apa style. Instead, the decision to use a capital or lowercase letter will depend on your style guide.
Initial capitalization of foreign surnames when starting a sentence. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. When a colon introduces a list of of things, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless it is a proper noun. Writers and editors searching for consistent, standardized advice about how to capitalize and punctuate bullet points will be sorely disappointed. Capital letter after a colon if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. I dont believe you stipulate the answers to these questions in your book. Please accept my application for the position advertised in the news and observer. Todays post tackles the question of whether you should capitalize the first word of a sentence after a colon. Do not capitalize the word to, with or without an infinitive, unless it is first or last in the title. I distrust anything that starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop antjie krog. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has.
In september 1995, we released an issues paper, sustainable development and minerals and metals, to serve as a basis for dialogue with canadians who have. Grammar girl breaks down when and how to use colons, including when formatting lists. Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably. Capitalize the first word after a colon if the information following the colon. Dec 14, 2018 one of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a wonderful name for the colon. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon unless its a proper noun. Bonnie had to admit what was already obvious to her roommates. If the word that comes after a colon or semicolon is a proper name, you definitely would capitalize it. Should vertical lists always be introduced with a colon. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. In the second sentence, we would change but he to but holmes for clarity. Heres something you probably never have to worry about.
In british english, the first letter after a colon is capitalized only if its a proper noun or an acronym. Also, we look at why its tricky to to figure out why a letter is silent in certain words. The editors blog is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to. 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.
Jan 11, 2012 ive seen writers use a colon after tobe verbs like this. Grammar and style center for writing excellence montclair. Jan 19, 2016 writers and editors searching for consistent, standardized advice about how to capitalize and punctuate bullet points will be sorely disappointed. One of my favorite resources is grammar girl, which has a book, a podcast, and a website packed with good information. According to some of the grammar experts and experienced book authors, the colon is the mark of expectation or addition. From when to use a preposition or pronoun to how to use a comma or colon, visual guide to grammar and punctuation covers all the most important grammar topics in dks signature style. What comes after it begins a new sentence, so that new sentence begins with a capital letter. 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. Regarding the first semicolon rule, the first example for capitalization after semicolons is a terrible example. I wonder if the titlecase method is older than the sentencecase method, since thats the way we were taught about 100 years ago, right along with two spaces after. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real.
Prohibited punctuation in fiction the editors blog. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing grammar girl a weekly. The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning. Semicolons, colons, and parentheses purdue writing lab. Should you capitalize the first letter after a colon. Dont capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized. Does the word after a question mark star t with a capit al letter. For that, i prescribe a pair of em dashes to set off the elements instead. In a title or heading, a colon is often used to introduce a subdivision of a subject. Jun 24, 2016 in addition, if youre quoting someone after a colon, they open their speech or text with a capital letter. Do you capitalize the word after a colon and a semicolon. Because your second example uses a capital h after the. The sentence i need the following items from the store. Different citation styles such as mla, apa, chicago, and ama have slightly different rules regarding whether to capitalize the first letter after a colon.