When and When Not To Use Capital Letters
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When and how to utilize capital letters can be a prickly issue. It may be appropriate to not use capital letters when texting friends, tweeting, updating your Facebook status, captioning your Instagram picture, etc. However, when it comes to formal writing then you need to use capital letters correctly.
There are never ending rules when it comes to the English writing and capitalization rules is one of them. You must follow the rules to know when you can use capital letters.
There are always exceptions to everything so there are exceptions when it comes to capitalization as well.
When to use capital letters:
Capitalize the first letter in a sentence
Examples: Hey! I have missed you! How are you?
My French paper is due on Monday.
Capitalize names and any other proper nouns
Example: I am going out with Sarah to the mall.
Capitalize First word in full quotes
Example: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela
Capitalize months, days, and holidays
Examples: Finally, it’s the last Friday in February.
Valentine’s day is on February the 14th.
Capitalize name titles
Examples: I am going to Dr. Smith for a checkup.
Mrs. Stone gave me an A on my English paper.
Most words in titles
Examples: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
Capitalize cities, countries, capitals, nationalities, and languages
Examples: I am going to Italy for the summer to learn Italian.
Did you know that Rome is the capital of Italy?
Capitalize acronyms
Examples: United Arab Emirates UAE
The United States of America USA
When not to use capital letters:
After using a colon (sometimes)
Example: There are two choices at this time: run away or fight.
Writing seasons
Example: The winter season is my favorite season.
Some conjunctions (and, of, for)
Example: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Overusing capital letter may be rude
Example: I AM BUSY!
When and When Not To Use Capital Letters
When and When Not To Use Capital Letters
There are never ending rules when it comes to the English writing and capitalization rules is one of them. You must follow the rules to know when you can use capital letters.
When and how to utilize capital letters can be a prickly issue. It may be appropriate to not use capital letters when texting friends, tweeting, updating your Facebook status, captioning your Instagram picture, etc. However, when it comes to formal writing then you need to use capital letters correctly.There are never ending rules when it comes to the English writing and capitalization rules is one of them. You must follow the rules to know when you can use capital letters. There are always exceptions to everything so there are exceptions when it comes to capitalization as well. When to use capital letters:Capitalize the first letter in a sentenceExamples: Hey! I have missed you! How are you?My French paper is due on Monday.Capitalize names and any other proper nounsExample: I am going out with Sarah to the mall. Capitalize First word in full quotesExample: The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela Capitalize months, days, and holidaysExamples: Finally, it’s the last Friday in February. Valentine’s day is on February the 14th.Capitalize name titlesExamples: I am going to Dr. Smith for a checkup.Mrs. Stone gave me an A on my English paper.Most words in titlesExamples: Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixThe Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a MountainCapitalize cities, countries, capitals, nationalities, and languagesExamples: I am going to Italy for the summer to learn Italian. Did you know that Rome is the capital of Italy?Capitalize acronymsExamples: United Arab Emirates UAEThe United States of America USA When not to use capital letters: After using a colon (sometimes) Example: There are two choices at this time: run away or fight.Writing seasonsExample: The winter season is my favorite season.Some conjunctions (and, of, for)Example: Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixOverusing capital letter may be rudeExample: I AM BUSY!
