Capitalization Rules
There are many rules we follow for capitalization:
1. The first word of a sentence
That store on Main Street sells pretty jewelry.
2. The pronoun "I"
My friend likes me because I am nice to her.
3. Proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, groups, and sometimes things)
We visited Uncle Bob on Friday. Next week, we will visit our other uncles. I asked Mother for a cookie.
5. The names of God, religious figures, and holy books (but not the non-specific use of the word "god")
Sammy voted for Mayor Smith. Arnold Davis is the president of our club.
7. Directions that are names
(North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the country, but not as compass directions)
Our family is from the Southwest. Martha lives east of the library.
8. The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays (but not the seasons used generally)
My friend Eddie said, "We should go to the movies."
11. The major words in the titles of books, articles, and songs
(but not short prepositions or the articles "the," "a," or "an," if they are not the first word of the title)
Tomorrow, I will read The Cat in the Hat.
12. Members of national, political, racial, social, and athletic groups
1. The first word of a sentence
That store on Main Street sells pretty jewelry.
2. The pronoun "I"
My friend likes me because I am nice to her.
3. Proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, groups, and sometimes things)
- Lake Erie
- Purple Product Company
- Abraham Lincoln
- Empire State Building
- Boy Scouts of America
- San Antonio, Texas
We visited Uncle Bob on Friday. Next week, we will visit our other uncles. I asked Mother for a cookie.
5. The names of God, religious figures, and holy books (but not the non-specific use of the word "god")
- God the Father
- Moses
- the Virgin Mary
- Shiva
- the Bible
- Buddha
Sammy voted for Mayor Smith. Arnold Davis is the president of our club.
7. Directions that are names
(North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the country, but not as compass directions)
Our family is from the Southwest. Martha lives east of the library.
8. The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays (but not the seasons used generally)
- Monday
- September
- autumn
- summer
- February
- Christmas
- Spain
- Mexican
- Russian
- Germany
My friend Eddie said, "We should go to the movies."
11. The major words in the titles of books, articles, and songs
(but not short prepositions or the articles "the," "a," or "an," if they are not the first word of the title)
Tomorrow, I will read The Cat in the Hat.
12. Members of national, political, racial, social, and athletic groups
- Korean Americans
- Texas Rangers
- Hispanics
- Republicans
- Dallas Cowboys
- Austin Cycling Association
- The Middle Ages
- Industrial Revolution
- twentieth century
- The Persian Gulf War
- Kellogg's
- Coca-Cola
- Subaru
- Foot Locker
- ATM
- CD
- HTML
- SOS