Capitalization Rules

Capitalization Rules

Capitalizing the First Word of a Sentence

• Always capitalize the first word of any new sentence.
  • Example: Not everyone knows these simple rules of capitalization.
  • Explanation: "Not" is capitalized because it is the first word of the sentence.

Capitalizing Abbreviations Connected to Names

• Capitalize abbreviations that are connected to someone’s name.
  • Example: From a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote an insightful letter to a group of clergymen who had questioned his involvement in local Civil Rights affairs.
  • Explanation:
    • "Birmingham" and "Alabama" are capitalized because they are specific locations.
    • "Dr." and "Jr." are capitalized because they are connected to someone’s name.
    • "Civil Rights" is capitalized because it is the name of a specific movement.

Capitalizing Acronyms and Initializations

• Capitalize acronyms and initializations.
  • Example: Most students are very concerned about their GPAs, especially as they close in on their junior year.
  • Explanation: "GPA" is capitalized because it is an acronym for "grade point average."

Capitalizing Proper Nouns

• Capitalize proper nouns, including specific names, titles, groups, languages, technological terms, and religious terms.
  • Example: I would be happy to drive to Dallas from Austin to see a concert at the American Airlines Center.
    • Explanation: "Dallas" and "Austin" are capitalized because they are named cities, and "American Airlines Center" is capitalized because it is a specifically named arena.
  • Example: I have often heard that French and German are easier to learn than English.
    • Explanation: "French," "German," and "English" are capitalized because they are languages.
  • Example: There are DVDs you can rent or purchase that will distinguish for you the differences between and among the deities of varying religions, from Christianity, to Buddhism, to Hinduism.
    • Explanation: "DVDs" is capitalized because it is a tech term, and "Christianity," "Buddhism," and "Hinduism" are capitalized because they are religious terms.