What are Common Capitalization Rules?
In English language, rules of capitalization seem simple. Sometimes you capitalize first word of sentence and proper nouns. Also, you need to capitalize quote's first word. There are exceptions that don't let you capitalize words after colon. Author makes sure what should they do when there is unsurety whether something is a proper noun. Let's learn some capitalization rules below. Sentence first letter - The core rule of capitalization in English language is to capitalize sentence first letter. It is easiest and straightforward one as there is no exception or other perplexities. Whenever you write a very first alphabet or word in the writing or write it after full stop, you will capitalize the first letter of that word. Quotation's first word - If you write quotation as a long sentence or it is complete, you will capitalize it. If you are writing quotations as phrase as larger sentence, don't capitalize it. Avoid capitalization after colons and semicolons - There is no need to capitalize different words after colon and quotation marks. Use colons before introducing the list. Capitalization validity for days, months and holidays - You see all words capitalized in a calendar. It indicates you will capitalize days, months, weeks, and years. You will also capitalize the holidays when you need. For example, Friday, Sunday, May, December, Ramadan, Christmas, etc.
Proper Nouns and Caps
Write proper nouns that correspond to each of the following common nouns. Select five of the words you wrote above. Use each one in a complete sentence in the spaces.
Months of the Year
The months of the year always begin with a capital letter. Write each month correctly on the line.
Alphabetic Months
Correct the first letter of each month and write them in alphabetical order on the lines.
X Marks It
Look at the sentences below. Put an X on the letters that should be capital and write the correct letter above each word.
The Unscramble
Unscramble the months of the year. Make sure they begin with a capital letter.
Months in Action
Complete the sentences below. Remember that the months of the year always begin with a capital letter. Write the correct month on the line.
Sentence Pusher
Look at the sentences below. Put an X on the letter that should be capital and write the correct letter above it.
Me, Me, and ME!
Complete each sentence using capital letters where needed. Do not forget to include the periods!
More with Months
Rewrite the following months, special days, and holidays in the spaces below using the correct capital letters.
Words in Titles
Another important thing to remember about capitalization is that book titles need to be capitalized also. Always capitalize the first word and the last word in a book title. Do not capitalize the little words such as the, in, to, and at.
When to Use It
1. The first word of a sentence. 2. Particular people and pets. 3. Titles and abbreviations. 4. Particular places and things. The word "I". Put it into action.
How to Capitalize a Title?
When writing articles, papers, or even blogs, many writers get confused about capitalizing the titles. Many of these individuals capitalize on the entire title, a very common practice, while some only capitalize the first letter of all the words in the title, then there are those who capitalize the first letter of the first word only.
To save yourself from the trouble, you need to know some basic title capitalization rules of the three most popular writing styles, The Associated Press Stylebook, The Chicago Manual of Style, and the MLA Handbook. It will make it much easier for you to write your papers, blogs, and articles.
Rule # 01: Always Capitalize the First & Last Words - You need to make sure the first letter of the first and the last word are capitalized.
Rule # 02: Nouns & Pronouns - Other than the first and last word, you must capitalize on any nouns and pronouns that you use in your title. It also includes proper nouns.
Rule # 03: Verbs & Helping Verbs - Verbs, helping verbs, and verb variations with 'to be' must all be capitalized.
Rule # 04: Adjectives & Adverbs - Capitalized adjectives and adverbs in all your titles.
Rule # 05: Short Prepositions - Unless a preposition, with three or fewer letters, is the first or last word of a title, it will stay in lowercase.
Rule # 06: Articles - Articles will only be capitalized if they are the first or the last word of a title.
Rule # 07: Short Coordinating Conjunctions - Short coordinating conjunctions are always written in lowercase letters.
Rule # 08: Three-Letter or Shorter Words - In MLA style, all prepositions are in lowercase letters, except if they are the first or last word of a title. Similarly, in the AP stylebook, all three-letter or shorter words in lowercase, but if they are verbs, they will be capitalized.