Capitalization after a colon

Capitalization after a colon

The two points they are a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause greater than the comma and less than the period. Usually draws attention to what will be said next. For example: You need three ingredients for the preparation: water, flour and yeast.

As the colon does not indicate the end of a sentence, after this sign it is usually continued in lowercase. However, there are some rare cases in which they may announce a unit regardless of meaning, in which case the text that follows must begin with a capital letter.

When is a capital letter after a colon?

As a general rule, after the colon, the sentence continues with a capital letter. However, there are some exceptions:

Examples of sentences with a capital letter after a colon

1. DANGER: High voltage.
2. My grandmother always says: "Every cloud has a silver lining".
3. CONSIDERING: That the accused was not at his home on the day of the incident.
4. Dear Mary: / I haven't written to you for a long time.
5. The young man looked at his beloved and said: "I have never felt anything like it in my life."
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6. Note: Please put the papers in the basket.
7. Dear Mr. Judge: / The reason for this letter is to update you on the situation.
8. The girl looked at her mother and asked: "Can you buy me a candy?"
9. WARNING: Whoever violates the rules will be sanctioned.
10. The prophet looked at the crowd and announced: "Dark days are coming for mankind."
11. Hello Gabriel: / Hope you're well.
12. IMPORTANT: What doesn't kill you makes you strong.
13. The official stated: "I am completely innocent."
14. Teacher: / I have mailed the job to you, but it has not arrived.
15. Mental note: Don't let problems overwhelm me.
16. The woman looked him in the eye and blurted out: "I want the divorce".
17. The list of materials is as follows: / - Scissor. / - Pencils…
18. To whom it may concern: / I am writing to you to present my case.
19. The old man came in screaming: “Everyone run away! The enemy is already here! ”.
20. ATTENTION: Bathing is prohibited in this area.

Examples of sentences with a lower case after a colon

1. I don't know what is happening: he does not call me or answer my messages.
2. I want to visit two cities: Paris and Madrid.
3. Happy and radiant: this is how it looks.
4. I ask no more than that: that you pay attention to me when I speak to you.
5. Gabriela has three children: Amanda, Gaspar and Agustín.
6. We still have something important to decide: Who will be the next director of the institute?
7. I warn you: If you continue with that attitude, we will end up fighting.
8. He asked for three wishes: health money and love.
9. You must not forget: Jack of all trades, master of none.
10. A magnet has two poles, namely: North and south.

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