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After semi-colon, do I capitalize the first word of the 2nd sen.?
That's my interpretation too.
Terry "Suzanne S. Barnhill" wrote in message ... This is the first time I've seen Hart's Rules cited here by anyone but me. FWIW, current usage prefers lowercase after a colon in most instances (except in titles of books and articles). The rule of thumb I use is that if the clause that follows the colon is merely an explanation of what leads up to the colon (that is, it is an expansion or provides a reason), I use lowercase. If the colon introduces a sort of rule or pronouncement, it may deserve caps. If the colon introduces a series of sentences (rather than a single clause), I begin the first with a capital. -- Suzanne S. Barnhill Microsoft MVP (Word) Words into Type Fairhope, Alabama USA Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all may benefit. "Bill Ridgeway" wrote in message ... I've only just spotted this thread so apologies in advance if this is irrelevant or duplicated. Hart's Rules (for compositors and readers at the University Press Oxford) is a reference for such issues. It states "The semicolon separates two or more clauses which are of more or less equal importance and are linked as a pair or series" and goes on to give examples. In all examples the semicolon is followed by a lower case letter. It also states "Whereas the semicolon links equal or balanced clauses, the colon generally marks a step forward, from introduction to main theme, from cause to effect, premiss sic to conclusion, etc." and goes on to give examples. In all examples the colon is followed by an upper case letter. I hope that clarifies the issue. Regards. Bill Ridgeway |
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