Module 2Six Capitalization Rules

In English, there are many rules for using capital letters. Here are six important ones.

Capitalize…

1. The first word in a sentence. Examples:

Correct: My neighbor is a mechanic.

The cat is on the sofa.

She is a good student.

Incorrect my neighbor is a mechanic.

the cat is on the sofa.

she is a good student.

Capitalize..

2. The pronoun IExamples: Correct

My friend and I often study together.

Tom and I like sports.

On Mondays, I have English class.

Incorrect

My friend and i often study together.

Tom and i like sports.

On Mondays, i have English class

Capitalize..

3. Names of people and their titles. Examples:

Correct Last week, Pope Francis visited King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Yesterday, President Putin talked about the war.

I met Professor Indiana Jones.

Incorrect Last week, pope francis visited king abdullah II of Jordan. Yesterday, president putin talked about the war.

I met professor indiana jones.

But NOT without a name He’s a king. Have you met your math professor?

Exception: A title without a name is sometimes capitalized if it refers to a specific person.

The President of the United States had dinner with the Emperor or Japan.

Capitalize..

4. Nationalities, languages, religions, and ethnic groups.

Nationalities: ColombianPeruvian British

Examples: I am Colombian. My friend is Peruvian. I am colombian. My friend is peruvian.

Languages:Spanish ChineseEnglish

Examples: I speak Spanish, English, German, and Portuguese. I speak spanish, english, german and portuguese.

Religions: Christian Islam (Muslim)Judaism (Jewish)

Examples: Anna Frank was a Jewish. Anna Frank was a jewish.

Ethnic groups:HispanicAsian EuropeanNative AmericanAfrican

Examples: Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by African American people. Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by african american people.

Capitalize..

5. Name of school and college courses with numbers.

Examples: Language and Culture 1Psychology 101Virtual English 1

This semester I have to take Virtual English 1. This semester I have to take virtual english 1.

I don’t have to take Psychology 101. I don’t have to take psychology 101.

Note: Don’t capitalize school and college subjects except names of nationalities, languages, religions, and classes with numbers. This semester I am taking history. This semester I am taking English history. I loved math at school. I loved Math 101 at school.

Capitalize..

6. Specific places you could find on a map.

Amazon River South America the North Pole England First StreetNew York City

Examples: Santa Claus lives in the North Pole. Santa Claus lives in the north pole. I live in Second Street. I live in second street.

I want to visit New York City. I want to visit new york city.

Information taken from: Hogue, A. (1996). First steps in academic writing. Longman: N.Y.