Is is grammatically correct to capitalize the word following an ampersand?

Question

I've always been a little apprehensive as to whether or not it's correct to capitalize the word following an ampersand. I've always left it uncapitalized, but should it be since the & isn't technically a word? For example:

a) & because I dislike it.

b) & Because I dislike it.

Grant it, I know it's generally incorrect to begin a sentence with "and" or "&", but in the event that such is correct, would capitalization be necessary?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Kali is wrong.



It's generally inadvisable to use an ampersand at all. If you do use one, use it in a list:



EXAMPLES:

Generally OK: I bought eggs, milk & bread.

Generally BAD: He walked away with sadness & she watched him go.



- Don't capitalize the word after "and" or "&".

- Do NOT put a comma after "and" or "but" at all in most cases.

- NEVER begin a sentence with a symbol such as an ampersand.

- Even IF you began a sentence with "&", how in the world do you capitalize it?! ;)

Answer 2

Why don't you just write "and"? It's never necessary to use an ampersand in a normal sentence. You can use it, for example, in a company name, such as Marks & Spencer. However, given that you want to use it in a normal sentence for some reason, there's no reason to capitalize the next word, and I don't understand your rationale for doing so. And I can't think of any possible way of starting a sentence with an & - use And, as i have just done. You are making life far too complicated for yourself.

Answer 3

Why would you capitalize it? It's not the beginning of the sentence. You would have a comma after the "And" or "&", though.