Semicolon-versus-colon is one of the most fearsome face-offs in the grammar game. Here’s how to come out on top.

But they don’t agree on when to capitalize. According to the Associated Press Stylebook, you capitalize the first letter after a colon when it begins a complete sentence. Otherwise, use lowercase.

It has become part of one sentence with the semicolon, so drop that capital letter. Remember: use the semicolon to only connect two related ideas.

Sometimes, writers will use a colon where they don’t need to. Take the sentence “His wish list included: Transformers, Hot Wheels, Minecraft figures and Legos.” The colon isn’t needed there, because ...