Rules for Capitalization
Here are some rules you will find useful:
- Capitalize the first letter of the first word in a sentence.
- Capitalize the first word of a quotation, except for fragments:
We said, "Let's go to Paris, France!" Right away we "jumped on the first train."
- Capitalize proper nouns, whether they are real or fictional:
There's a giant gorilla and his name is King Kong.
I learned that Tiger Woods is a really good golfer.
- Capitalize professional titles:
I met Professor Albus Dumbledore on this campus last year. He's a professor who is loved by all the students here.
We saw Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie. He is the captain of his ship.
- Capitalize place names:
Jack lives in northern Ontario, across from the French River.
I don't remember the year that the Suez Canal was built.
We live 10 minutes away from Lake Nipissing.
- Capitalize months, days of the week, and religious holidays, but not the seasons:
Christmas was on a Tuesday last year.
We are in March now, and the month of Ramadan is in spring.
- Capitalize the names of institutions, nationalities, organizations and events:
We found out that the Liberal Party consisted of Canadians with different backgrounds.
Canadore College was built after World War II.
- Capitalize languages and academic courses:
I took three courses in French last year: Beginner Science 101, Mathematics 178, and a history course, but I can't remember the name of that specific course. Next, I want to obtain a degree in psychology.
- Capitalize important words in a title:
(Note: see the link below for details)
O Canada
Communication Strategies for Results
PRACTICE:
Correct the sentences below
1) do you know mayor mcdonald?
no, sorry. I don't know the mayor of the city of north bay.
2) i saw a great movie with the title: harry potter and the order of the phoenix.
3) financial director john lee wrote the two hundred page report for the company.
- Capitalize the first word of a quotation, except for fragments:
We said, "Let's go to Paris, France!" Right away we "jumped on the first train."
- Capitalize proper nouns, whether they are real or fictional:
There's a giant gorilla and his name is King Kong.
I learned that Tiger Woods is a really good golfer.
- Capitalize professional titles:
I met Professor Albus Dumbledore on this campus last year. He's a professor who is loved by all the students here.
We saw Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie. He is the captain of his ship.
- Capitalize place names:
Jack lives in northern Ontario, across from the French River.
I don't remember the year that the Suez Canal was built.
We live 10 minutes away from Lake Nipissing.
- Capitalize months, days of the week, and religious holidays, but not the seasons:
Christmas was on a Tuesday last year.
We are in March now, and the month of Ramadan is in spring.
- Capitalize the names of institutions, nationalities, organizations and events:
We found out that the Liberal Party consisted of Canadians with different backgrounds.
Canadore College was built after World War II.
- Capitalize languages and academic courses:
I took three courses in French last year: Beginner Science 101, Mathematics 178, and a history course, but I can't remember the name of that specific course. Next, I want to obtain a degree in psychology.
- Capitalize important words in a title:
(Note: see the link below for details)
O Canada
Communication Strategies for Results
PRACTICE:
Correct the sentences below
1) do you know mayor mcdonald?
no, sorry. I don't know the mayor of the city of north bay.
2) i saw a great movie with the title: harry potter and the order of the phoenix.
3) financial director john lee wrote the two hundred page report for the company.