Capitalising Words: A Short Guide on Capitalisation in English - Oxbridge Editing

Capitalisation is an important aspect of written English, guiding readers through text and enhancing clarity. Whether you’re writing an academic essay, a business email, or a casual message, understanding when and why to capitalise words is essential. In this guide, we will explore the rules of capitalisation, offering clear examples to help you use capital letters correctly and effectively.

What Is Capitalisation?

Capitalisation refers to the practice of using uppercase (capital) letters at the beginning of specific words, while the rest of the text remains in lowercase. In English, we capitalise for various reasons, such as the start of a sentence or for proper nouns. Knowing when to use capitals will ensure that your writing is clear and grammatically accurate.

Basic Rules of Capitalisation

Although the rules for capitalisation seem simple, there are many nuances. Here are the most important guidelines:

1. The First Word of a Sentence

This is probably the most basic rule of capitalisation: always capitalise the first word in a sentence. Regardless of the sentence structure, always begin with a capital letter.

• Example: The sun sets in the west.

2. Proper Nouns

Proper nouns refer to specific people, places, or organisations, and they should always be capitalised. These include:

• Names of people: Jane Austen, William Shakespeare
• Names of places: Paris, the River Nile, Mount Everest
• Names of organisations: Google, The British Museum
• Days of the week and months of the year: Wednesday, November

In contrast, common nouns, which refer to general items or concepts, do not need to be capitalised unless they start a sentence.

• Example: The university is hosting a lecture. (“university” is not a proper noun here)

3. Pronoun “I”

The personal pronoun “I” is always capitalised, regardless of its placement in the sentence.

• Example: I think it’s a brilliant idea.

This applies even in contractions, such as I’m or I’ve.

4. Proper Adjectives

When adjectives are derived from proper nouns, they should be capitalised. These are known as proper adjectives.

• Example: Victorian architecture, French cuisine

Capitalisation in Titles

Capitalisation in titles is an area where many people make mistakes, as different style guides offer slightly different rules. However, in general, British English tends to follow these guidelines for title capitalisation:

1. Capitalise the First and Last Word

In titles, always capitalise the first and last word.

• Example: The Art of War

Even if the first or last word is a short one (such as an article or preposition), it should still be capitalised.

2. Capitalise Major Words

Major words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, should be capitalised.

• Example: Pride and Prejudice

3. Do Not Capitalise Minor Words

Minor words such as articles (a, an, the), prepositions (in, on, at), and conjunctions (and, but, or) are not capitalised unless they are the first or last word of the title.

• Example: A Brief History of Time

Different style guides may tweak this rule slightly, so it’s essential to check any specific guidelines you might be following (such as the APA or MLA format).

When Not to Capitalise

It’s just as important to know when not to capitalise words. Overuse of capital letters can make text look cluttered and unprofessional. Below are some situations where capitalisation should be avoided:

1. Common Nouns

Common nouns that refer to general people, places, or things should not be capitalised unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

• Example: The park is lovely this time of year.

2. Job Titles

Job titles are only capitalised when they come directly before a person’s name. When used in a general sense, they should remain in lowercase.

• Example: Professor Jones (specific title before a name) vs. The professor is on leave (used generally)

3. Seasons

Seasons are not capitalised. This rule often catches people out, as months and days are capitalised, but seasons remain lowercase.

• Example: spring, summer, autumn, winter

The First Word in a Direct Quotation

When quoting someone directly, capitalise the first word of the quotation if it is a complete sentence.

• Example: He said, “The show starts at 8 p.m.”

However, if the quote is a fragment within your sentence, the first word remains lowercase.

• Example: She mentioned that it was “a lovely day” outside.

Common Capitalisation Mistakes

Capitalisation errors are frequent, and many people find themselves second-guessing whether or not a word should be capitalised. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Capitalising common nouns: Only specific names should be capitalised. Avoid capitalising words like “university,” “city,” or “government” unless they are part of a proper noun.

Incorrect: The Government introduced a new law.

Correct: The government introduced a new law.

Overusing capital letters for emphasis: While it’s tempting to use capitals to stress certain words, it’s best avoided in formal writing.

Incorrect: This is VERY important!

Correct: This is very important!

Conclusion

Capitalisation is an essential part of writing that helps provide structure and clarity to your text. From the basics, such as capitalising the first word of a sentence and using capitals for proper nouns, to more specific rules like title capitalisation and proper adjectives, mastering these guidelines will improve your writing’s readability and professionalism. When used correctly, capitalisation will guide readers through your text, ensuring your message is clear and coherent.

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