Generally, it is not required to capitalize the word after a colon(:). But, There are certain exceptions to this rule.
Exception No.1: We capitalize the first letter of the word that comes after the colon when the word following the colon is a proper noun.
Exception No.2: We capitalize the first letter of the word that comes after the colon when the words following the colon make one or more complete sentences.
Incorrect
- One of my favorite hobbies: Playing football.
- He is always my best teacher: ram sir.
- There is only one place I can call home: rayagada
Correct.
- One of my favorite hobbies: playing football.
- He is always my best teacher: Ram sir.
- There is only one place I can call home: Rayagada
Choose the correct option
He denied having dinner for two reasons: _________ (He/he) had had something in the evening. And the other, because he is not feeling well.
Which of the following option is correct?
Ans: He (When the words following the colon form one or more complete sentences, we capitalize the first word after the colon.
Answer: Yes or No.
She always wants to visit the place of her birth: Russia.
Is the right word capitalized in the above sentence?
Ans: Yes (\’Russia\’ is a proper noun and hence we capitalize it even when it occurs after a colon.)