Subject: Capitalization after Colons

Having trouble viewing this message? Click here to view it online.

Right-click here to download pictures. Jane Straus

Hi, Friend.
Welcome to your GrammarBook.com E-Newsletter.

New Quizzes

"GrammarBook.com is an awesome website that is helping me become more fluent in English."
- Mehedi H.

 

"I think the tips are wonderful."
- Mary

 

"Thank you for all the info on GrammarBook.com. I refer to it regularly when writing for my church newsletter."
- Kathleen S.

 

"I enjoy the exercises very much."
- Sandra S.

Capitalization after Colons

English Tip Have you run across the situation where one sentence ending with a colon is followed by another sentence? Do you capitalize the first word of that second sentence? Why would you use a colon between the two sentences rather than a period or a semicolon?

Rule for colons between sentences: Use a colon instead of a semicolon or a period between two sentences when the second sentence explains or illustrates something in the first sentence.

Capitalization rule with sentences after colons: If only one sentence follows the colon, do not capitalize the first word of the new sentence. If two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence following.

Example: One of my favorite novels is by Kurt Vonnegut: his novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, is often funny, yet packs an emotional punch.

Example: Garlic is used generously in Italian dishes: It greatly enhances the flavor of pasta. Garlic also enhances the flavor of lasagna, one of my favorite dishes.

Now, should you capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins a list rather than a new sentence?

Rule for capitalizing with lists after colons: Do not capitalize the first word of a list after a colon.

Example: I like the following Italian dishes: pasta primavera, eggplant Parmesan, and lasagna. (Parmesan is capitalized because it comes from the Italian city of Parma.)

Due to the E-Newsletter's large readership, we are unable to respond to individual English usage questions.


Pop Quiz

Scroll down to view answers.

1. Please visit me at my newly remodeled store: Skylights and large glass windows have been added.

2. Please visit me at my newly remodeled store: skylights and large glass windows have been added. You will also find more inventory and friendly sales help.

3. I need the following items from the store: Bread, salt, and sugar.


Free BONUS Quiz For You!

Friend, because you are a subscriber to the newsletter, you get access to one of the Subscription Members-Only Quizzes. Click here to take a Capitalization Quiz and get your scores and explanations instantly!


Hundreds of Additional Quizzes at Your Fingertips

Hundreds of Quizzes

"So convenient...hundreds of quizzes in one click."


Friend, Subscribe to receive hundreds of English usage quizzes not found anywhere else!

  • Take the quizzes online or download and copy them.
  • Get scored instantly.
  • Find explanations for every quiz answer.
  • Reproduce the quizzes to your heart's content.
  • EASY to use.
  • No software to download.
  • No setup time.
  • A real person to help you if you have any questions!

"Fun to test my skills!" "The explanations really help...thanks!"

Your choice: Subscribe at the $29.95 or $99.95 level ($30 off - regularly $129.95).

"I download the quizzes for my students who don't have computer access."

Subscribe today to receive hundreds of English usage quizzes not found anywhere else!

"Makes learning English FUN!"


Quizzes

Don't need all the quizzes at once?
You can now purchase the same quizzes individually for ONLY 99¢ each. Purchase yours here.


The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Get Yours Today!

Get Amazon’s #1 Bestseller in Four Categories!
#1 in Grammar
#1 in Reading
#1 in Lesson Planning
#1 in Vocabulary

The Blue Book of Grammar
and Punctuation
by Jane Straus

The Authority on English Grammar!

Do You Have Your Copy Yet?

An indispensable tool for busy professionals, teachers, students, homeschool families, editors, writers, and proofreaders.

Now available in print AND as an e-Book! Over 2000 copies are purchased every month!

Order Your Copy Today!

  • Hundreds of Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, and Usage Rules 
  • Real-World Examples
  • Spelling / Vocabulary / Confusing Words
  • Quizzes with Answers

 

View the entire contents online

Discounts available for schools, bookstores, and multiple copies. Order Today!


Pop Quiz Answers

1. Please visit me at my newly remodeled store: skylights and large glass windows have been added.

2. Please visit me at my newly remodeled store: Skylights and large glass windows have been added. You will also find more inventory and friendly sales help.

3. I need the following items from the store: bread, salt, and sugar.


Wordplay

What a difference one letter makes!
The words below were created by selecting a word from the dictionary and altering it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter. The authors have supplied creative definitions for each "new" word.

Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.


68 One-Minute English Usage Videos

English In A Snap: 68 One-Minute English Usage Videos FREE 

Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and boss), children, teachers, and friends. Click here to watch.

 

Forward this E-Newsletter to your friends and colleagues.

Newsletter

If you received this FREE weekly E-Newsletter from a friend, click here to have it sent to you each week.

Look for more Hot Tips by Jane Straus next week.

Miss a recent newsletter? Click here to view past editions.

Subscriber Log In Subscriber Benefits