20
Capitalization
Capitalize the first word of every sentence unless it is set off by dashes or parentheses within another sentence. Then, only capitalize the first word following the opening dash or parenthesis if it is a proper noun, a proper adjective, the pronoun I, or the first word of a quoted sentence.
Capitalize every proper noun--the official name of a particular person, place or thing. Also always capitalize the pronoun I.
William H. Gates, Jr. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
the Red Cross the Statue of Liberty
Wednesday, February 23, 2001 a Xerox copy
Flight 403 the Japanese
Gone With the Wind French Literature 212
Capitalize a quoted sentence.
Mr. Jones said, “That’s an interesting idea!”
In titles of literary and artistic works and in displayed headings, capitalize all words with four or more letters. Also capitalize words with fewer than four letters except:
Articles: the, a , an
Short conjunctions: and, as , but, if , or, nor
Short prepositions: at, by, for, in, of, off, on, out, to, up
Be sure to capitalize short verb forms like Is and Be. However, do not capitalize to when it is part of an infinitive.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
“Redevelopment Proposal Is Not Expected to Be Approved.”
Capitalize the salutation and first word in the complimentary close of a letter.
Dear Mrs. Jensen: Cordially yours,
Do not capitalize a general term of classification, even though it refers to a particular person, place, or thing.
Common noun: our doctor the hotel the river
Proper noun: Dr. Anderson Hotel Baldwin the Snake River
In compound nouns, the first element is proper, but the second element is common. Capitalize only the first element.
French doors a Dutch oven
Danish pastry a Ferris wheel
Capitalize such words as mother, father, aunt, and uncle when they stand alone or are followed by a personal name. Do not capitalize family titles when they are preceded by possessives.
Let me ask Mother and Dad whether that date is open for them.
Do you think that Grandmother Cooper will be pleased when she hears the news?
Let me ask my mother and dad if that date is open for them.
When indicating a relationship as a whole unit, capitalize the family title.
Frank wants us to meet his uncle, Reese Anderson.
Frank wants us to meet his Uncle Reese.
Capitalize the names of companies, unions, associations, societies, independent committees and boards, schools, political parties, conventions, foundations, fraternities, sororities, clubs, religious bodies, and teams.
The Republican National Convention
Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Capitalize the names of places, such as streets, buildings, parks, monuments, rivers, oceans, and mountains. Do not capitalize short forms used in place of the full name.
Montgomery Street the street
Sacramento River the river
Riverside Drive the drive
Shoshone Falls the falls
University Mall the mall
Capitalize north, south, east, west and derivative words when they designate definite regions or are in an integral part of a proper name.
in the East the Far North the North Pole
down South the Deep South the West Coast
Do not capitalize these words when they merely indicate direction or general location.
Go west on Route 517 and then south on I-95.
Most of our customers live on the east side of town.
He lives in the East.
Do not capitalize the names of the seasons unless they are personified.
We do not plan to announce our new line of software until the fall.
Capitalize all references to a supreme being.
God the Messiah Allah
Capitalize personal pronouns referring to a supreme being when they stand alone, without an antecedent nearby.
Offer thanks unto Him. Ask the Lord for his blessing.