Capitalization Rules
Check out this full list of capitalization rules. Below, we've listed some rules you are likely to encounter when writing a paper for school:
1) Capitalize important words in titles, including the first and last words. Don't capitalize little words like an, of, and, to (but short form words of verbs, like is, are, and be, should be capitalized).
Examples:
- My favorite book is The Catcher in the Rye
- Today in class, we analyzed The Great Gatsby
- My favorite book is The Catcher in the Rye
- Today in class, we analyzed The Great Gatsby
2) When writing fiction, capitalize the first word in a line of dialogue. (Note: when you are quoting from a work of literature, follow the capitalization used in the text.)
Examples:
- Confused, he asked her, "Where is the money you owe me?"
- "I ate it," she replied.
- Confused, he asked her, "Where is the money you owe me?"
- "I ate it," she replied.
3) Capitalize a person's title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize if it describes the name. Capitalize a title when it is used as a direct address in the place of a name.
Examples:
- Even though President Obama loves red velvet cake, he prefers chocolate pudding.
- Barack Obama is the president of the United States.
- Well, Doctor, I believe my sister has Swine Flu.
- Even though President Obama loves red velvet cake, he prefers chocolate pudding.
- Barack Obama is the president of the United States.
- Well, Doctor, I believe my sister has Swine Flu.
4) Points of the compass should only be capitalized when they refer to specific regions.
Examples:
- My aunt is visting from the West.
- If Jimmy walks three blocks east and four blocks south, where will he be in relation to the World Trade Center?
- My aunt is visting from the West.
- If Jimmy walks three blocks east and four blocks south, where will he be in relation to the World Trade Center?
5) Do not capitalize the name of a season, unless it is personified or part of a title.
Examples:
- The budding tulips signaled the Spring Fling was coming!
- For me, Christmas Eve will always mark the first day of winter.
- My fall classes are challenging.
- The budding tulips signaled the Spring Fling was coming!
- For me, Christmas Eve will always mark the first day of winter.
- My fall classes are challenging.
6) When dealing with a compound word, capitalize each word as though it stands alone.
Examples:
- pro-British
- God-given rights
- pro-British
- God-given rights
Practice
After looking at the rules, examine the following sentences. Where are there errors?
1. Jerry does not like his friend’s daughter, Hannah.
2. Professor Greene is the best teacher I have ever had.
3. My Mom watches the news at six every night.
4. Uncle John always eats apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
5. Hawaii is in the pacific ocean.
6. My favorite Italian dish is pizza.
7. Over the weekend, I am heading North to Vermont.
8. Can you imagine not celebrating Christmas in December?
9. World War II consisted of fighting between the Allies and the Axis.
10. I love summer because all I do is relax by the beach.
11. The monster in Frankenstein only wants people to accept him.
12. I loved reading and acting out Death Of A Salesman.
13. I always have Oreos with milk.
14. My dad’s homemade pasta and red sauce is delicious!
Answers:
1. None
2. None
3. Yes, “Mom” should not be capitalized here because it’s not used in place of her name.
4. None
5. Yes, “pacific ocean” should be capitalized.
6. None
7. Yes, “North” should not be capitalized.
8. None
9. None
10. None
11. None
12. Yes, it should be Death of a Salesman
13. None
14. None
1. Jerry does not like his friend’s daughter, Hannah.
2. Professor Greene is the best teacher I have ever had.
3. My Mom watches the news at six every night.
4. Uncle John always eats apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
5. Hawaii is in the pacific ocean.
6. My favorite Italian dish is pizza.
7. Over the weekend, I am heading North to Vermont.
8. Can you imagine not celebrating Christmas in December?
9. World War II consisted of fighting between the Allies and the Axis.
10. I love summer because all I do is relax by the beach.
11. The monster in Frankenstein only wants people to accept him.
12. I loved reading and acting out Death Of A Salesman.
13. I always have Oreos with milk.
14. My dad’s homemade pasta and red sauce is delicious!
Answers:
1. None
2. None
3. Yes, “Mom” should not be capitalized here because it’s not used in place of her name.
4. None
5. Yes, “pacific ocean” should be capitalized.
6. None
7. Yes, “North” should not be capitalized.
8. None
9. None
10. None
11. None
12. Yes, it should be Death of a Salesman
13. None
14. None