Capitalization

When asked, most folks would likely say we have got a handle on capitalizing words in English. After all, once you were six and you named your dog Mr. Flufflepants, there was no doubt in your mind on what parts of the name needed to be capitalized, right?

Some capitalization rules

Though there are numerous rules related to capitalization, our editors highlight a couple of of the foremost common ones they encounter in academic and in ESL writing.

Capitalization rule #1

Capitalize the primary word in quotations, provided the quoted material may be a complete sentence.

Capitalization rule #2

Use capitals for correct nouns. In other words, capitalize the names of individuals , specific places, and things. 

For example: We don't capitalize the word "bridge" unless it starts a sentence, but we must capitalize Brooklyn Bridge because it's the name of a selected bridge.

OR

The word "country" wouldn't normally be capitalized, but we might need to write China with a capital "C" because it's the name of a selected country.

OR

The word "state", while not normally capitalized, would be written with a capital if it's within the name of a corporation , like The State Board of Education.

Capitalization rule #3

Capitalize titles once they are on the signature line of a letter, when the title comes immediately before a reputation , or when the title replaces the utilization of a reputation (i.e., a title used as an immediate address).

Here are some examples:

Sincerely,

Vicky Marquez, President

OR

Ms. Vicky Marquez

OR

Hello, Senator. It's nice to ascertain you again.

Do not capitalize titles once they aren't used as an immediate address to an individual . For example: The senator are going to be in town today to examine the building of the railway.

Capitalization rule #4

Capitalize directions only they ask specific regions.

For example:

My favorite place within the world is Northern Ontario.

Do not capitalize "north," "south," "east," and "west" when indicating directions:

Drive six blocks north, then turn right.

Capitalization rule #5

All large words within the titles of flicks , books, and other publications should be capitalized, while all small words (a, an, the, but, and, if, as, or, nor, to call a few) shouldn't be capitalized unless they're the primary or last words within the title:

A Life Less Ordinary (The word "A" wouldn't normally be capitalized, but because it's the primary word within the title, we must capitalize it.)

OR

War of the Worlds (The words "of" and "the" aren't capitalized because they're small and aren't at the start or end of the title, though exceptions to the "small words" rule do exist.)

Capitalization rule #6

The first word of a salutation should be capitalized, also because the first word of a closing. For example:

Dear Billy,

OR

Regards,

John Smith

Capitalization rule #7

Capitalize words derived from proper nouns. For example:

I like English, but math is my favorite subject. (English is capitalized because it's derived from the right noun England, while math isn't capitalized because it's not derived from a correct noun.)

Specific course titles should, however, be capitalized. For example:

I don't know what I'm getting to do. I even have to require Math 101 next year and it's hard!

Capitalization rule #8

Capitalize when two or more sentences follow a colon.

For example:

We have set this restriction: Do your chores before watching television. that has washing the dishes.

Do not capitalize after a colon if you're writing an inventory , or if there's just one sentence following the colon:

There are many metals hidden away within the earth's crust: gold, zinc, and lead are just a couple of examples.