As usual, the colon serves as a punctuation powerhouse, which separates, emphasizes, introduces a list, and more. It juggles words like a master chef spins plates.
But when it comes to the little fella after the colon, things get a bit confusing. Should you crown it with a capital letter, or leave it humbly lowercase? This article will let you know whether or not you should do so.
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Contents
Let’s ditch the dry grammar rules and talk human.
Imagine the colon as a dramatic pause in a sentence. On one side, you have the main act, the independent clause, complete with its subject and verb.
On the other side, you have the supporting cast, the dependent clause or phrase, adding flavor and detail. Now, the big question: Does the supporting cast deserve a standing ovation (capitalization) or a simple bow (lowercase)?
Here’s where things get fun
We have two camps:
Camp Capital: These folks believe that if the supporting cast delivers a complete sentence, a full-blown sentence mind you, they deserve the spotlight. So, if the words after the colon can stand on their own as a sentence, bam! Capital letter.
For example:
“I woke up craving waffles: Fluffy, golden, and dripping with syrup.”
Did you notice? The part after the colon is a complete sentence, so “fluffy” gets the capital crown.
Camp Lowercase: This laid-back crew chills with the idea that unless the supporting cast is a proper noun or the beginning of a direct quote, they stay grounded in lowercase. They see the colon as a bridge, not a cliffhanger, and the following words simply extend the existing sentence.
Like so:
“My to-do list is long today: Groceries, laundry, conquer world domination (optional).”
Here, “groceries” doesn’t stand alone, so it stays lowercase.
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Formal writing or academic work? Team Capital reigns supreme. Play it safe and follow the style guide (APA, MLA, etc.).
Informal writing or casual conversation? Camp Lowercase welcomes you with open arms. Let your hair down and embrace the chill vibes.
Feeling unsure? The golden rule: If the words after the colon can be a standalone sentence with a subject and verb, capitalize.
Remember: If you’re using a colon to introduce a list, keep it lowercase unless it starts with a proper noun or a complete sentence (like I just did!). Above all, it’s your call!
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what feels right for your writing voice. Just remember, consistency is key. Don’t flip-flop between camps like a politician in election season.
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Final Thoughts
I’m sure you got it. But here’s the key takeaway to help you more. Understand the function of the words after the colon. Are they independent or just a supporting cast?
Once you know that, the capitalization decision becomes clear. After all, a well-placed colon can add drama, clarity, and even a touch of wit to your writing.