Capital After a Colon: Correct Usage in English Grammar
Quick answer
A colon does not automatically require a capital letter. In the British house style used in this lesson, the next word usually starts with lowercase unless it would normally have a capital, such as Paris, Friday or I. Capitalisation before a complete sentence can vary between style guides.
Lowercase After a Colon
Use lowercase for an ordinary word introducing a list, phrase or explanation in this lesson’s British style.
- She packed three things: a book, a hat and water. The word a begins a list.
- He had one wish: to visit the sea. The word to begins a phrase.
- The reason was clear: we needed more time. The explanation is a complete clause, but it still starts with lowercase in this style.
A capital before a complete sentence is accepted in some other styles, including some American styles. If a course, employer or publisher specifies a guide, follow it. A difference between accepted styles is not automatically a grammar mistake.
Keep Capitals That the Word Already Needs
Names, days, months and the pronoun I keep their capitals after a colon.
- There is one city I want to visit: Paris.
- We chose a day for the meeting: Friday.
- There was a problem: I had lost my key.
Capitalisation depends on the first word, not simply on whether a list follows. A list beginning with a name can start with a capital: We visited three cities: Paris, Rome and Madrid.
A Complete Quotation Can Start With a Capital
When a colon introduces complete direct speech, keep the opening capital of the quoted sentence: Her advice was simple: “Check your work.” The capital belongs to the quotation.
Avoid These Mistakes
- ✗ She packed three things: Apples, milk and bread. → ✓ She packed three things: apples, milk and bread. The common noun apples does not need a capital here.
- ✗ We chose one city: paris. → ✓ We chose one city: Paris. A name keeps its capital.
- For this lesson’s British style: He had one rule: always be on time. A style that capitalises complete sentences may instead use Always.
Check the Colon as Well as the Capital
In an ordinary prose sentence like these examples, the words before the colon should form a complete clause, and the following words should explain or expand it. Write I need three things: a pen, paper and time. Avoid splitting a verb from its complement: I need: a pen, paper and time.
Do not put a space before the colon; put one after it in ordinary prose. Special uses, such as a time or ratio, follow their own conventions.
For the quiz: use the British house style described here. Questions about a name or a list test that specific feature; questions about a complete explanation state the style explicitly.
Test Yourself: Capital or Small Letter?
Choose an answer to see your feedback immediately. Your first answer counts towards your score.
1. Which sentence is correct?
2. Use this lesson’s British house style: He had one big rule: _______ on time.
3. Which sentence uses the correct capitalisation for the place name?
4. She had one wish: _______ travel the world.
5. Which version follows this lesson’s British house style?
Keep Going — You Are Building Something
You have practised capitals after colons in this lesson’s British style. Write an example with a common noun and another with a place name.
Next, compare the capitals in Friday and July with the lowercase names of seasons, such as summer and winter in ordinary prose.
Next lesson: Are Seasons Capitalized? The Surprising Answer
Source
Publication Manual (7th edition) – APA Style
A Guide to Using Semicolons – Merriam-Webster
Further reference: University of Sussex: the colon.
Further reference: University of Cambridge: style guide.
I’m Khamis Maiouf. I’m studying Health and Social Care and have completed Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Level 3 Hairdressing. I have taught ESOL in my community and helped students with GCSE English. I run English Teacher Site to help people learn and practise English.