Capital letters after a colon?

[LimpyLionel]

Obviously, if someone's name, country, city, etc comes up, you capitalise it. I've seen some people use capital letters after a colon, and some with not.

So, when the use a capitalise a word after a colon, and when do you not?

Thanks.

[LimpyLionel]

*when do you capitalise a word...

[beckersjay]

I don't think you capitalise after a colon unless the word would be capitalised with or without the colon

[factor-fiction]

I have seen it done, even in some books, but I wouldn't use a capital letter after a colon unless, as you say, it's a proper noun.

[grasscarp]

not after a colon, only after a full stop.

[plautus]

The use of a capital letter after a colon is incorrect unless it is a proper noun, as you rightly say.

[B00]

I wouldn't no, as its not the end of the sentence.

[boxtops]

Definitely not, you only capitalise a letter after a full stop. The only time you would use a capital after a colon is if the next word is a proper noun, e.g.: Lionel (not e.g.: this is your name).

[DTCwordfan]

He has you all dancing on a string; Limpy has been on such a bizarre bender for a couple of weeks now.

You have been warned.

[LimpyLionel]

I'm not a dummy, DT. I just type too quick. And I just ask questions to reassure myself. I haven't asked you to comment, have I?

[Buenchico]

Where a colon forms the purpose of SEPARATING two clauses (where the latter either explains the first, or provides a contrast with it), it should be followed by a lower case letter.

Where a colon INTRODUCES something (e.g. a list or quotation) it's usually followed by a capital letter.

(Brits tend not to use a colon for 'separation' purposes; that use is more common in the USA. In the UK we tend to use a semicolon, as I have just done!)

[boxtops]

Yes I agree with that too, Chris, here is the list:

Colon
Semicolon
etc

[DTCwordfan]

I look forward, with the most enormous interest, to when you latch onto word pairs like abtruse and obtuse, or complement and compliment.

[boxtops]

It's good practice for us, DT, in brushing up our punctuation!

[LimpyLionel]

And another question: Why do some people quote people with a single quote, and some with double quotes?

[DTCwordfan]

I have no issue with you asking the question, but the convoluted, ( mentally contorted and verbally perverted?) dance that you seem to take pleasure in, as to putting ABers through in past similar threads does, indeed, necessitate a comment.

Some of us are not fooled.

[boxtops]

Limpy, we did the quotation mark thing a few days ago, please don't make us go back over that AGAIN.

[DTCwordfan]

My point exactly, the third time is it that you have raised the above question as to your last point?....^^^^

[jno]

I have no idea what "fooled" means in this context, DT. A question is asked and answered; that is what the site is for.

Single quotes or double quotes is a matter of taste; the usual British practice is to use double quotes as a default, and single quotes for quotes-within-quotes. The best advice is to do whatever you want, but be consistent.

[boxtops]

jno, we answered this same question at considerable length only a few days ago....

[LimpyLionel]

That was with the films. I don't think I asked that particular question, did I?

I'm sorry if I did.