Capitalizing after a colon

Capitalizing the first word of an independent clause after a colon is optional.

Example sentence: The researchers came to a surprising conclusion: There appeared to be no consistent relation between the quality of information available and the quality of decisions made.

Example sentence: The researchers came to a surprising conclusion: there appeared to be no consistent relation between the quality of information available and the quality of decisions made.

MLA style and CMS style use a lowercase letter to begin an independent clause following a colon; APA style uses a capital letter. Check with your instructor or with the style guide of your discipline, and be consistent throughout your paper.

Use lowercase after a colon to introduce a list or an appositive.

Example sentence: The students were divided into two groups: residents and commuters.

Exercise: Capitalization

Related topic:

Using a colon to introduce a list

independent clause A word group containing a subject and a verb that can or does stand alone as a sentence.

appositive A noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun or pronoun: Bailey, the representative from Alabama, voted for the bill.