In these cases, it’s best to either consult the style guide for the publication you’re writing for, or to create a consistent style guide for your own work. Remember what your mother taught you: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Some would say that you don’t need to capitalize if the clause after the colon bears a close relationship to the clause before the colon, but would capitalize a general or formal statement, such as: Others believe that you should generally avoid capitalizing in this way, instead preferring: Some editors believe that it’s always best to capitalize a complete sentence that comes after a colon, like this: Rule #4: Carefully Consider Capitalizing a Complete Sentence After a Colon
This example is consistent because each item ends with a punctuation mark: either a period or an exclamation point. In other cases, though, it’s up to you whether or not you want to capitalize and use periods – just be consistent. If each item on the list is a complete sentence, you should always capitalize the first letter and finish with a period (or question mark or exclamation point, if appropriate). When using a colon to introduce a list in this way, capitalization and ending punctuation aren’t always necessary. Rule #3: Be Consistent With Punctuation of Bullet Points It you’re listing items line by line, you should use a colon to introduce the list – even if that same colon wouldn’t be required for a list in sentence form.
(Not “You should bring: a torch, warm clothing, and waterproof boots.”) Rule #2: Use a Colon Before Listing Items with Bullet Points You should bring a torch, warm clothing, and waterproof boots. However, you should not use a colon if the sentence does not require punctuation.įor instance, the following sentences are correct without a colon: (Not “Bring the following equipment a torch, warm clothing, and waterproof boots.”) Here are some examples of colons being used correctly, preceding an item or multiple items when the sentence requires punctuation at that point.īring the following equipment: a torch, warm clothing, and waterproof boots. Rule #1: Use a Colon to Introduce One or More Items, When Punctuation is Required We’re going to go through some key rules that will hopefully clear things up. Perhaps you’re not sure whether to use a capital letter after a colon, or you’re unsure how to structure a list of items that follows a colon. To replace a semi-colon between two independent clauses: the second clause should explain or expand on the first in some way.Īs you can see, I’ve used both types of colon above.Ĭolons can trip writers up, though.
To introduce an item or a series of items.You’ve probably grasped periods, question marks, exclamation points, and commas – but the rules surrounding colons may seem a bit trickier. The colon can be a tricky punctuation mark. When to Use a Colon: Rules and Examples By Ali Hale
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