This blog discusses 15 basic capitalization rules for English grammar. To give you an opportunity to practice your proofreading, we have left a few spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors in the text. See if you can spot them! If you spot the errors correctly, you will be entitled to a 10% discount.
Capitalizationmeans writing a word with its first letter in uppercase while the remaining letters in lowercase. As a general rule, in English, a capital letter is used for the first word of a sentence and for all proper nouns. Although the rules of English capitalization seem simple at first glance, it might still be complicated in academic writing. You probably know you should capitalize proper nouns and the first word of every sentence. However, in some cases, capitalization is required for the first word in a quotationand the first word after a colon. Here are the details:
1. Capitalize the First Word of A Sentence
This rule is the most basic one. Always capitalize the first word of your sentence, whether it is a proper or common name.
The baby is crawling.
Where to find my book?
I ordered a new laptop online.
2. Capitalize All Proper Names in A Sentence
Aproper nounis the specific name of a person, place, object, or organization to make it more specific such as Alice, Chicago, Tuesday. The first letter of a person’s first, middle, and last names should also be capitalized (John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Thomas Alva Edison). All proper nouns -even adjectives derived from a proper noun- should be written with capital letters regardless of where they appear in a sentence.
I ordered anApplecomputer fromBestBuy.
George Washingtonwas anAmericanpolitical leader who served as the first president of theUnited States.
The names of cities, towns, countries, counties, companies, religions, and political parties are also considered proper nouns and should be written with capital letters.
UniversalOrlandoResort, commonly known as UniversalOrlandoor simply ‘’Universal,’’ is a theme park based inOrlando,Florida.
Common nouns refer to a general, non-specific category or entity that name any person, place, object, or idea. They are not capitalized unless they come at the beginning of a sentence or a part of the title.
You should also capitalize words likemom,dad, grandma, and grandpawhen you use them as a form of address.
3. How to Capitalize Titles of People
As discussed above, you should capitalize the first letter of a person’s first, middle, and last names (Thomas Alva Edison, John Fitzgerald Kennedy). However, you alsoneed to capitalize suffixes(i.e., Sir Isac Newton., Alexander the Great, Alfred the Great) and titles.
When titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Dr. are considered a part of their name, they should be capitalized too. This rule is followed in a situation in which you address a person by his or her position as though it is a part of their name.
Capitalize | Do Not Capitalize |
I completed the report onPresidentGeorge Washington. | George Washington was an American political leader who served as the firstpresidentof the United States. |
When I started at Apple, I worked as an intern withSenior Vice PresidentLuca Maestri for one month. | Luca Maestri is one of thesenior vice presidentsof the company. |
a. Do not capitalize occupations and titles when they are not used as part of a name.
The journal’schief editor
He was a libertariansenator.
b. Do not capitalize titles when used descriptively.
Dr. Lawrence, who willchairthe meeting, will be here soon.
b. Titles immediately following the name do not ordinarily require capitalization.
Dr. Lawrence, thechairperson, will join us at the meeting.
c. Whenthe article‘‘the’’ appears in front of the job title, do not capitalize.
Lawrence,thechairperson, will be here soon.
Thechairperson, Dr. Lawrence, will join us at the meeting.
Goodman wasthemanaging editor of the journal.
d. Capitalize titles in signature lines.
Although there is no universal rule on writing titles in the complimentary closing of a letter, our editors recommend capitalizing a titles when they follow the name on the address or signature line. However, you can leave it in lowercase as titles are generally not capitalized when following a name in text. Both ways are acceptable. So, choose a method and be consistent.
Mike Lawrence, Chairperson
John Goodman, Managing Editor
4. Capitalize Common Nouns When They Are Used to Name A Specific Entity
Common nouns are considered proper nouns when they are used to name a specific entity.
Common noun | Proper noun |
The President will speak to thenationthis weekend. | The action has not been approved by theUnited Nations. |
He was alibertarian. | His nomination was forced upon theLibertarianParty. |
It is a Gothiccathedraldating from the 15th century. | Florence Cathedralis considered the most beautiful building in the city. |
5. Capitalization After Colons
In most cases, you do not have tocapitalize a word after a colon. In British English, the first letter after a colon is capitalized only if it’s a proper noun or an acronym. However, the first word after a colon is sometimes capitalized in American English if it begins a complete sentence.
a. List of things or a phrase
When a colonintroduces a list of things or a phrase that is not a complete sentence, do notcapitalizethe first wordafterthecolonunless it is a proper noun or a common noun that is used to name a specific entity.
b. Complete sentence (check your style guide)
When a colon introduces a complete sentence,you need to check your style guide to see whether you capitalize the first word after the colon.
According to the APA Publication Manual, for instance, the first word after the colon is capitalized only if it begins a complete sentence. InAPA style,if the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter.
They have agreed on the outcome:informedparticipants perform better than do uninformed participants. | Incorrect |
They have agreed on the outcome:Informedparticipants perform better than do uninformed participants. | Correct |
However, The Chicago Manual of Style has a different perspective on it. It requires to capitalize the first word following the colon if there is more than one complete explanatory sentence following the colon.
John prefers wearing a brimmed cap:Stronglight often triggers his migraine. | Incorrect |
John prefers wearing a brimmed cap:stronglight often triggers his migraine. | Correct |
John prefers wearing a brimmed cap:stronglight often triggers his migraine.Healso thinks it is fashionable. | Incorrect |
John prefers wearing a brimmed cap:Stronglight often triggers his migraine.Healso thinks it is fashionable. | Correct |
c. The other basic rule of APA Style is to capitalize the first word after the colon in a title.
The Impact of Job-Related Stress on Burnout:aFlorida Case Study | Incorrect |
The Impact of Job-Related Stress on Burnout:AFlorida Case Study | Correct |
d. Never capitalize a word after a colon when introducing a list:
The variables of the study are as follows:Burnout, job-related stress, and health-related quality of life. | Incorrect |
The variables of the study are as follows:burnout, job-related stress, and health-related quality of life. | Correct |
6. Capitalization of the First Word of Quotations
When the quote is a complete sentence, you should capitalize the first word of the quote.
James said, “Themotorcycle slid sideways and skidded approximately 50 meters.”
Do not capitalize the first word of partial quotes.
“The motorcycle slid sideways,” James said, “andskidded approximately 50 meters.’’
7. Capitalize Days, Months, Holidays
The names of days, months, festivals, and holidays are considered proper nouns and, therefore, should be capitalized.
Tuesday was more productive thanMonday.
I love the Fourth of July.
Put that on yourChristmaswish list.
Do you have any plans forValentine’s Day?
Her death took place about the end of Ramadan.
8. Capitalize Time Periods and Events
Specific time periods, eras, and historical events are considered proper names and thus need to be capitalized.
The Reformationis considered one of the major movements within Western Christianityin 16th-centuryEurope.
History is commonly divided into three separate periods: theAncient Period,theMiddle Ages,and theModern Time.
World War Iwas once called theGreat War.
TheAmerican Revolutiontook many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome.
9. Do Not Capitalize Centuries
Centuries—and the numbers before them—should not be capitalized.
During theeighteenth century, slave trading and human trafficking expanded on a global scale.
10. Do Not Capitalize Seasons
However, the name of the four seasons are not proper nouns, so should not be capitalized unless they appear as part of a proper noun.
The night is the winter, the morning and evening are thespringandfall, and noon is thesummer.
I live nearWinter Park.
The Italian city of Turin hosted the 2006Winter Olympics.
11. Capitalize Countries, Cities, Nationalities, and Languages
The names of countries, cities, nationalities, and languages are considered proper nouns, and they should be capitalized.
My father is Irish, and my mother is British.
I am studying French andGerman and Latin and Greek.
On their refusal, theRussians attacked them at midnight.
Few cities inEuropecan match the cultural richness ofBerlin.
12. Capitalize the Most Words in Headings and Titles
In general, you need to capitalize all major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and all proper nouns) in titles and headings. That means articles, conjunctions, and prepositions should not be capitalized. However, the capitalization rules for the titles and headings sometimes differ according to style guides.
For instance, APA Style has two types of capitalization for titles: Title case and sentence case. In title case, APA Style requires all major words to be capitalized, and most minor words should be in lowercase. However, in sentence case, most major and minor words are lowercase unless they are proper nouns. According to APA Style, nouns, verbs (including linking verbs), adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and all words of four letters or more are considered major words; while short (i.e., three letters or fewer) conjunctions, short prepositions, and all articles are considered minor words (APA 6th edition).
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowsis the seventh and final novel in the series.
13. Capitalization of Directions and Regions
Capitalizenorth, south, east, and west (including derivative words) when they refer to a direction or general area or when they designate definite regions or are an integral part of a proper name.
I live in thesouthof France.
First, go north on I-94 and then east.
The main parts ofthe southernregion of the countrywere notaffectedby the ongoingdrought.
However, capitalization is required when these words are part of a proper name or refer to a specific region.
Record temperatures continued to bake theMidwesternandSouthernstates.
Winds are expected to becomenortherlylater today.
TheSouth Poleis claimed by seven nations.
He’s from theFar East,not from theMiddle East.
Western Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping ofWestern civilization.
Also, you need to capitalize well-known region names such asEast Coast,West Coast,andSouthern California.However, a geographical area considered a distinct region might vary by country.
TheEast Coastof the United States is also known as the Eastern Seaboard.
TheWest Coastis the coastline along which the continental Western United States meets the North Pacific Ocean.
14. Theories, Laws, Models, and Disciplines
In general, there is no need to capitalize the names of laws, theories, models, disciplines, statistical procedures, or hypotheses as they can be understood to serve more as common nouns as opposed to proper nouns. Note that proper nouns within these terms are capitalized.
Scientific theories and models | rational choice theory, social constructionist theory, germtheoryof disease, Newton's law of gravitation, problem solving model, crisis intervention model |
Scales and inventories | Maslach Burnout Inventory, Transformational Leadership Scale |
Laws and schools of though | Maslow’s law of hierarchy, behaviorism, the German historical school, French liberal school |
Disciplines and subjects | economics, Mathematics, English,anthropology, chemistry |
Keep in mind that the names of inventories, questionnaires, or tests should be capitalized.
Maslach Burnout Inventory
Transformational Leadership Scale
15. Closing a Letter with A Valediction
When we sign off on letters or send emails, we generally close them with valedictionsuch as "Regards", "Best", "Best wishes", "Best regards", "Sincerely", or "Cordially yours." The first word in these farewell words or complimentary closes should be capitalized, just like the beginning of a sentence.
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