Capitalize After Colon? (APA Style)
As with so many things in the English language, capitalization with colons can be complex, and many times, it’s more of a style issue than one of correctness. According to APA Style, the first word after the colon is capitalized only if it begins a complete sentence.
Also know, should you capitalize the first word after a colon?
Here’s our suggestion: generally, the first word following the colon should be lower-cased if the words after the colon form a dependent clause (that is, if they could not stand on their own as a complete sentence). If the following phrase is a complete (independent) clause, you may choose to capitalize it or not.
Likewise, do you put a colon after by? Since it sounds like your magazine doesn’t have a documented style, how you do it is somewhat up to you. Purely grammatically, it is not necessary to put a colon, but it’s not wrong, either.
Hereof, do you capitalize after a colon AP style?
If the words that follow the colon form at least one sentence, AP style says to capitalize the first letter. “I know what you did last summer: You did nothing.” 3. In Chicago style, you capitalize the first letter after the colon only when the colon introduces two or more sentences.
Do you capitalize after a colon MLA?
According to MLA format, the first letter following a colon should be capitalized if the colon introduces: A rule or principle. Several related sentences. A proper noun.
14 Related Question Answers Found
Do you have to capitalize after a comma?
No. You don’t have to capitalize words after commas everytime. Only when there is a proper noun (a name of an individual person, place, organization, etc) after a comma, you have to capitalize it.
How do you put a colon after a list in a sentence?
Use a colon after a sentence that introduces a vertical list and includes the words the following, as follows, these, or thus. DO NOT use a colon before a numbered vertical list when a sentence that contains the words the following, as follows, these, or thus is followed by another sentence before the listed items.
Can you continue a sentence after a colon?
In other words, after only something that could stand on its own as a complete sentence. So in APA style, you can use a colon only after a complete sentence, and you capitalize the first word after a colon when it’s the start of a complete sentence.
Does a colon start a new sentence?
Rule for colons between sentences: 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 two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence following.
How do you use a colon and semicolon?
Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.
What words are capitalized?
In general, you should capitalize the first word, all nouns, all verbs (even short ones, like is), all adjectives, and all proper nouns. That means you should lowercase articles, conjunctions, and prepositions—however, some style guides say to capitalize conjunctions and prepositions that are longer than five letters.
How do you use a colon in Grammarly?
A colon introduces an element or series of elements that illustrates or amplifies the information that preceded the colon. While a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses to signal a close connection between them, a colon does the job of directing you to the information following it.
When should a semicolon be used examples?
A semicolon may be used between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and, but, or, nor, etc., when one or more commas appear in the first clause. Example: When I finish here, and I will soon, I’ll be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.
How many spaces should you have after a colon?
two spaces
Do you capitalize after three dots?
It depends on what follows the ellipsis. If the text that follows the ellipsis continues the same sentence, the word after the ellipsis is not capitalized. If the text that follows the ellipsis begins a new sentence, it would be capitalized as in the following examples.
Do you capitalize after in a title?
1) Never capitalize prepositions and conjunctions of four or fewer letters. However, remember the above rule: words with five or more letters, regardless of whether the word is a conjunction or preposition, must be capitalized.
Can you use more than one colon in a sentence?
Colons have a number of functions in a sentence. If you use colons in your writing, use them sparingly, and never use a colon more than once in any sentence. Rule 1: Colons can be used to introduce a list, BUT they must follow a complete sentence (independent clause).
What is a complete sentence?
A complete sentence has three characteristics: First, it begins with a capital letter. Most importantly, the complete sentence must contain at least one main clause. Each main clause contains an independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Where do you put a colon in a sentence?
A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence. Example: He got what he worked for: he really earned that promotion.