College Composition / Unit 9 CMP 0204 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Capitals After a Colon
Captions available
The idea
After a colon, use a capital letter if a complete sentence follows; otherwise use lowercase.
In practice
"The sign said one word: closed" stays lowercase; "The sign gave the reason: The theater had been sold" takes a capital in the Handbook's style.
Where people slip
Styles differ on this point; whichever you use, use it throughout.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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