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Online English Handbook1.2.1
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Online English Handbook1.2.1.rsrc
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TEXT_129_Capitalization.txt
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1995-06-10
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Capitalization
Abbreviations:
Capitalize the letters in abbreviations if the word abbreviated would normally be capitalized:
Federal Bureau of Investigation—FBI
Housing and Urban Development—HUD
Monday—Mon.
Boulevard—Blvd.
After a Colon:
Capitalize the first word after a colon if it is a proper noun.
The new parents considered the following three names
for their baby boy: Robert, John, and Anthony.
Capitalize the first word after a colon if it is a complete sentence:
After three weeks in Central America, he had the following to
show for his diplomatic efforts: He had a broken windshield, a
sunburn, a depleted wallet, and some colorful weavings.
-BUT-
After three weeks in Central America, he had the following to
show for his diplomatic efforts: a broken windshield, a
sunburn, a depleted wallet, and some colorful weavings.
Compass Points:
Capitalize the points of the compass when they refer to specific places:
the South, back East, the Midwest
Capitalize the points of the compass when they refer to global divisions (not states):
Southern Europe
-BUT-
eastern Montana
Do not capitalize the points of the compass when they refer to direction:
south of here, farther north
Do not capitalize the points of the compass when they are used adjectivally:
western clothing, southwest wind
General:
Always capitalize the following:
1. The first letter of a sentence:
Television news coverage is seldom comprehensive.
2. Official titles when combined with the name of the holder:
President George Bush
3. The first letter of the important words in literary titles:
The Grapes of Wrath
4. Nations, states, counties, cities:
United States, Minnesota, Stevens County, Minneapolis
5. Days of the week, months, holidays:
Tuesday, January, Christmas
6. Major historical events and periods:
Dark Ages, Great Depression
7. Schools, political parties, businesses:
University of California, Republican Party,
Pacific Telephone Company
8. People's names and initials:
John B. Davis
9. Proper names of geographic features; lakes, rivers, mountains, etc:
Lake Tahoe, Mississippi River, Rocky Mountains
10. Nationalities and other proper noun group memberships:
Swedish, Irish
New Yorker, Martian
Democrat, Hoosier
Arkansas Razorback
-BUT-
San Diego resident
native Alaskan
11. Names of deities:
God, Buddha, Siva
Holidays:
Capitalize all holidays and religious days:
Memorial Day, All Saints Day
Outlines:
Capitalize the first word of each item in an outline:
1. Preparing the soil
2. Planting the seeds
3. Irrigating
4. Harvesting
Parentheses:
Capitalize the first word of a parenthetic statement only if it is a proper noun or begins a complete sentence:
It made no sense for them to continue arguing. (They
were certainly not resolving anything.)
-BUT-
The train (a monorail) arrived early in Brussels.
Poetry:
Capitalize the first word in each line of poetry:
My heart so full it overflows in sonnets
Pray thee, Fair Maid, don't tread upon it
NOTE: In modern verse, this and all other rules are often ignored.
Prefixes:
Foreign name prefixes-such as d', da, van, and von-are usually capitalized when not preceded by a name or title:
D' Meres, but Johnny d'Meres
Von Stufalt, but Baron von Stufalt
American or British name prefixes are usually capitalized regardless of precedent:
Van Pelt, also Dolores Van Pelt
NOTE: Discovering individuals' preferential spelling of their own
names is the only safe method.
Proper Names and Titles:
Capitalize all proper names:
Joe's Diner, San Diego, Elizabeth Barklay
Capitalize words combined with or substituted for proper names to form titles:
Ivan the Terrible, the Sunshine State
the Great Gatsby, Nader's Raiders
Capitalize official titles and academic degrees when they are used with the name of the holder:
President Truman; Ron Hill, Ph.D.
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Dr. Greaves
Senator Cranston, Mayor Moore
Mister Jones, Lady Jane
Capitalize a title when it is used without the name, when it is used in direct address, or when it definitely refers to a certain person:
I'm telling you, Doctor, there is something wrong.
The Mayor is coming.
Capitalize family terms when they are used with the name to which they apply, or when they refer to a specific family member:
Aunt Jane, Uncle Albert, My heart belongs to Daddy.
But do not capitalize family terms which follow a possessive pronoun:
My mother is coming along for the ride.
Capitalize family terms when they are used in direct address:
If I didn't care, Mother, I wouldn't mention it.
Do not capitalize family terms when they are used in the generic sense:
He had a face only a mother could love.
Capitalize the important words in literary titles:
The Fall of the House of Usher
Mating Behavior of Cephalopods
Quotations:
Capitalize the first word of a complete quotation:
She asked, "Where is my briefcase?"
Do not capitalize the resumed portion of a quoted sentence:
"There is no point," she said, "in continuing this
discussion."
Seasons:
Capitalize the names of the seasons of the year if they are personified:
Hurry, sweet Summer, we need you.
-BUT-
I can hardly wait for this summer.