Rules for Capitalization
This is one of the easier parts of
grammar. You already know most
of them.
1. First word rule
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Capitalize the first word of each
sentence. (Was I right? Haven’t you
known this one forever???)
EX. Exceptional students always
capitalize correctly.
2. Quotation Rule
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Capitalize the first word of a direct
quotation except when it is a split
quotation.
EX. Helen said, “School starts on
Monday morning.” not when—
“School starts on Monday morning,”
Helen said, “but they hand out the
schedules tomorrow.”
3. Titles
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Capitalize the first, last, and all other
important words in titles of books, literary
articles, movies, music, and magazines, etc.
Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions are
not usually capitalized unless they are over
four letters.
EX. To Kill a Mockingbird (book)
“The Exports of North and South America”
(article)
The Lord of the Rings (movie)
4. Poems
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Capitalize the first word of each line in
a poem.
EX. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its liveliness increases…”
5. The “I” rule
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Always, always, always capitalize the word
“I”. You are the most important person in
your world. Capitalize yourself. Remember
you are in school. You are not texting,
im’ing, or anything social. This is business.
EX. The teacher took Jimmy and I to the
office because we didn’t capitalize I.
6. Name Rule
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Ok, here is another one you know but
forget. Capitalize a person’s name
and the initials of a person’s name-first
and last.
Ex. Thomas James Phillips
T.J. Phillips
7. Title Rule
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Capitalize the titles when used with, or
in place of, a person’s name.
Ex. I heard Principal Bussard will swat
people in the hall if they don’t
capitalize correctly.
The principal is very kind.
8. Mom and Dad rule
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Capitalize words showing a family’s relationships
when used with or in place of a person’s name.
EX. I asked Mom for some money. (You could
substitute a name here.)
She said that Aunt Sue would take me.
These words are not usually capitalized if they
come after a possessive pronoun.
EX. My grandmother called my dad to ask for some
help.
9. Days and Months rule
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Capitalize the days of the week and the
months of the year. You must also spell
them correctly!!!!!
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
January, February, March, April, May, June,
July, August, September, October,
November, December
Do not capitalize the seasons. spring, fall,
winter, or summer
10. Holiday Rule
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Capitalize the names of holidays.
EX. New Year’s Day (winter), Memorial
Day(summer), Halloween (fall),
Valentine’s Day (winter), Fourth of
July (summer), Thanksgiving (fall),
Easter (spring), Labor Day (summer)
Christmas (winter), Mother’s Day
(spring).
11. Historical events
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Capitalize the names of historical
events and periods, documents, laws,
organizations, and their members.
EX. The Great Depression
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights
Civil War
Middle Ages
The Republican Part
a Democrat
12. Cities, towns, etc.
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Capitalize the names of cities, towns,
counties, states, countries, and
nations.
EX. Amarillo
Dumas
Moore County
Texas
United States of America
Africa
Mexico
Thailand
13. Directions
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Capitalize the words north, east south,
and west when they refer to sections
of the country ( a place), but not when
they mean direction.
EX. Summers are usually hot in the
South. (section of the country)
Walk two blocks south and turn right.
(direction)
14. Streets, roads, etc.
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Capitalize the names of streets, roads,
highways, routes, and post office
boxes.
EX. Main Street
P.O. Box 45
Route 66
Jones Road
Highway 89
15. Water
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Capitalize the names of lakes, rivers,
and oceans.
EX. Lake Meredith
Canadian River
Atlantic Ocean
16. Mountains, deserts,
etc.
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Capitalize the names of mountains,
deserts, parks, stars, planets, and
constellations. Do not capitalize “sun”
and “moon”, and “earth” when it
doesn’t refer to the planet.
EX. The Rocky Mountains
Sahara Desert
Venus
the Milky Way
Yellowstone National Park
Earth
17. Building, etc.
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Capitalize the names of building,
bridges, and monuments.
EX. Empire State Building
Lincoln Memorial
Golden Gate Bridge
18. Clubs, businesses, etc.
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Capitalize the names of clubs,
businesses, organizations, schools,
and colleges.
EX. Leo Club
West Texas A&M University
Wal-Mart
Dumas Jr. High
Girl Scouts of America
Amarillo College
19. School Subjects
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Capitalize the names of specific school
subjects. Always capitalize the
languages!
EX. History I (not history)
Art 101 (not art)
English
Spanish
20. Nationalities,
languages, etc.
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Capitalize the names of nationalities,
languages, races, religions, and tribes.
EX. Roman Catholic Church
English
Hispanic
Karen
Chin
Muslim
Burmese
21. Proper names
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Capitalize names derived from proper
names.
EX. Italy---- Italian
An Italian restaurant
Mexico- Mexican food
22. Religion
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Capitalize all words referring to God or
Jesus. Do not capitalize when used as
a general term.
Ex. The ruler of the universe is God.
I know that He is the Lord.
Romans had more than two hundred
gods.
23. Bible
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Capitalize names for the Bible and
parts of the Bible.
EX. I read the New Testament in my
Bible.
Businesses and Products
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Capitalize the names of businesses
and the official names of their
products. Do not capitalize a general,
descriptive word when it follows the
trade name.
EX. Radio Shack
Pizza Hut
Crest toothpaste
Tombstone Pizza
Letters
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Capitalize the words in the heading of
a letter. Ex. To Whom It May
Concern, or Dear Ms. Kelly,
Only capitalize the first word in the
closing of a letter.
Ex. Sincerely yours,
Hugs and kisses,