Eight Words You Usually Do NOT Capitalize
Using capital letters gives words a sense of importance and that’s why some words are always
capitalized, such as country names (United States of America) and international figures (the
Pope). But all too often, we use capital letters to add an air of importance where it really isn’t
called for. In each of the eight cases below, the three top style guides agree that capital letters
generally shouldn’t be used.
Titles. Many people, especially those at the top of the organizational chart, want their titles
capitalized in all instances. But in most cases, titles shouldn’t be capitalized in text. An exception
is when the title is used directly before the name.
Betsy Jones, executive director
Executive Director Betsy Jones
He is the chief executive officer.
We are recruiting a sales manager.
City. Capitalize the word city only when it’s included in the proper name or in an imaginative title.
Kansas City, the Windy City, city of Dallas, a city employee
State. Capitalize state only when it follows the name of a state or is part of an imaginative name.
Washington State, the Empire State, state of Iowa, state funds
Federal. If you work for the federal government, you’ll need to capitalize federal wherever it
appears. But everyone else follows the same basic rule applied to city and state.
Federal Trade Commission, a federal agency, federal court judge
Academic Degrees. Do not capitalize academic degrees unless used after a person’s name as
part of a title.
earned a bachelor’s degree, working on her doctorate
Jane Smith, Doctor of Social Science
Decades. Don’t capitalize decades unless you are using special expressions.
Born in the fifties, 21st century approach, Roaring Twenties
Seasons. Don’t capitalize the seasons. Held in the spring, winter weather, fall semester
Black and White. Capitalize races and ethnicities in general, but not those descriptions based on
color. a black woman, white people, Hispanic and Jewish men
North and South. Do not capitalize compass directions; however, DO capitalize geographical
regions. Turn east on Main Street; I lived in the South for twenty years