Capitalization
Capitalization — writing a letter in upper case — follows clear rules in English. Knowing when to capitalize helps your writing look professional and correct.
When to capitalize
1. The first word of every sentence
Always capitalize the first word of a sentence, including after a full stop (period).
The meeting starts at nine. Please arrive on time.
She opened the door. A cold wind filled the room.
2. The pronoun "I"
The pronoun I is always capitalized, regardless of its position in the sentence.
Yesterday I went to the market. She said that I was right.
Can I help you? I think I left my keys inside.
3. Proper nouns
Proper nouns are the specific names of people, places, organizations, and things. They are always capitalized.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| People's names | Maria, James, Dr. Smith, Queen Elizabeth |
| Cities, countries, continents | London, Brazil, Asia, the United Kingdom |
| Streets, landmarks | Oxford Street, the Eiffel Tower, Central Park |
| Languages and nationalities | English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese |
| Days, months, holidays | Monday, March, Christmas, Easter, Ramadan |
| Organizations, companies | the United Nations, Google, Oxford University |
| Historical periods, events | the Renaissance, World War II, the Industrial Revolution |
| Religions and their followers | Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Christians, Muslims |
4. Titles before names
Titles are capitalized when they immediately precede a name. When used alone or after a name, they are usually lower case.
President Biden gave a speech. (title before name — capitalize)
Joe Biden, the president, gave a speech. (title used descriptively — lower case)
I saw Dr. Patel this morning. → I saw the doctor this morning.
Professor Collins teaches history. → She is a professor of history.
5. Titles of works
Capitalize the main words in titles of books, films, articles, and other works. Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions are generally not capitalized unless they are the first word.
The Lord of the Rings · Pride and Prejudice · The New York Times
A Tale of Two Cities · Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
What NOT to capitalize
- Seasons: spring, summer, autumn/fall, winter (lower case unless personified)
- Common nouns used generally: the president, a doctor, a university
- School subjects (unless a language): history, maths, science but English, French
- Compass directions (unless part of a name): go north but North America
Days and months yes — seasons no: Monday, March, and Christmas are always capitalized. But spring, summer, autumn, and winter are not. This is a very common mistake.
Tip: Ask yourself: is this a specific, unique name? If yes, capitalize. If it is a general category or common noun, use lower case. The Pacific Ocean (specific name) vs. an ocean (general). The President of France (specific title + name) vs. a president (general).