CapitalizationCapitalization

Proper Nouns and AdjectivesProper Nouns and Adjectives

Capitalize people’s namesCapitalize people’s names Angus L. MacdonaldAngus L. Macdonald

Capitalize the title used with people’s names. Capitalize the title used with people’s names. Also capitalize the initials or abbreviations that Also capitalize the initials or abbreviations that stand for those names.stand for those names. Miss, Ms., Mrs. and Mr. are always capitalized.Miss, Ms., Mrs. and Mr. are always capitalized. Examples: Examples: MMs. s. SSusan usan BBrooks and rooks and JJudge udge EEllen llen

OO’Brien’Brien

Do not capitalize a title that is used without a Do not capitalize a title that is used without a name. name. Example: The judge in this courtroom is Justice Black.Example: The judge in this courtroom is Justice Black.

Capitalize titles of very high importance, Capitalize titles of very high importance, even when they are used without names:even when they are used without names: The The PPrime rime MMinister of Canadainister of Canada

Family RelationshipsFamily Relationships

Capitalize such family words as mother, Capitalize such family words as mother, father, aunt, and uncle when they are used father, aunt, and uncle when they are used as names. If the noun is preceded by a as names. If the noun is preceded by a possessive word or by “a”, “an”, or “the”, it possessive word or by “a”, “an”, or “the”, it is not capitalized.is not capitalized. Examples: Examples:

Jessica’s mother is here, Mom.Jessica’s mother is here, Mom.

My mom’s car needs a new battery,My mom’s car needs a new battery,

The Pronoun IThe Pronoun I

Capitalize the pronoun ICapitalize the pronoun I Example: I am great and wonderful.Example: I am great and wonderful.

Correct the following sentencesCorrect the following sentences

1.1. A hurricane hit the town that dad and i A hurricane hit the town that dad and i were visiting.were visiting.

2.2. The members of parliament sponsored The members of parliament sponsored the bill to protect consumers against the bill to protect consumers against fraud.fraud.

3.3. The director of st. christopher hospital is The director of st. christopher hospital is my cousin, robin brown. my cousin, robin brown.

AnswersAnswers

1.1. A hurricane hit the town that A hurricane hit the town that DDad and ad and I I were visiting.were visiting.

2.2. The The MMembers of embers of PParliament sponsored arliament sponsored the bill to protect consumers against the bill to protect consumers against fraud.fraud.

3.3. The director of The director of SSt. t. CChristopher hristopher HHospital is ospital is my cousin, my cousin, RRobin obin BBrown.rown.

Geographic NamesGeographic Names

Capitalize geographical names.Capitalize geographical names.

If the word “the” appears before a place If the word “the” appears before a place name, it is not part of the name and is name, it is not part of the name and is therefore not capitalized.therefore not capitalized. Examples: North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Examples: North America, the Atlantic Ocean,

New Brunswick, Trans-Canada Highway, New Brunswick, Trans-Canada Highway, Banff National ParkBanff National Park

Directions and SectionsDirections and Sections

Capitalize names of sections of the Capitalize names of sections of the country.country. Example: The Prairie Provinces are Alberta, Example: The Prairie Provinces are Alberta,

Saskatchewan and Manitoba.Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Capitalize proper adjectives that come Capitalize proper adjectives that come from names of sections of the country.from names of sections of the country. Example: Atlantic salmon, a Prairie townExample: Atlantic salmon, a Prairie town

Directions and SectionsDirections and Sections

Do not capitalize directions of the Do not capitalize directions of the compass.compass. Example: Drive east from Montreal to Example: Drive east from Montreal to

Moncton.Moncton.

Do not capitalize adjectives that come Do not capitalize adjectives that come from words showing direction.from words showing direction. Example: The parking lot is on the north side Example: The parking lot is on the north side

of the building.of the building.

Correct the following sentencesCorrect the following sentences

1.1. The yukon is north of alberta.The yukon is north of alberta.

2.2. The andes mountains are in south The andes mountains are in south america.america.

3.3. Some italian foods are now popular in Some italian foods are now popular in canada.canada.

4.4. My grandparents live on main street in My grandparents live on main street in bathurst.bathurst.

5.5. Vancouver’s biggest park is stanley park.Vancouver’s biggest park is stanley park.

AnswersAnswers

1.1. The The YYukon is north of ukon is north of AAlberta.lberta.2.2. The The AAndes ndes MMountains are in ountains are in SSouth outh

AAmerica.merica.3.3. Some Some IItalian foods are now popular in talian foods are now popular in

CCanada.anada.4.4. My grandparents live on My grandparents live on MMain ain SStreet in treet in

BBathurst.athurst.5.5. Vancouver’s biggest park is Vancouver’s biggest park is SStanley tanley

PPark.ark.

Organizations and InstitutionsOrganizations and Institutions

Capitalize the names of organizations and Capitalize the names of organizations and institutions, including political parties, institutions, including political parties, governmental bodies or agencies, schools, governmental bodies or agencies, schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, clubs, colleges, churches, hospitals, clubs, businesses, and abbreviations of these businesses, and abbreviations of these names.names. Examples: Examples: HHospital for ospital for SSick ick CChildren, hildren,

CCanadian anadian MMedical edical AAssociationssociation

Organizations and InstitutionsOrganizations and Institutions

Do not capitalize such words as school, Do not capitalize such words as school, company, church, and hospital when they company, church, and hospital when they are not used as parts of names.are not used as parts of names. Example: Several people from our church Example: Several people from our church

work at the hospital.work at the hospital.

Events, Documents, and Periods of Events, Documents, and Periods of TimeTime

Capitalize the names of historical events, Capitalize the names of historical events, documents, and periods of time.documents, and periods of time. Examples: Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Examples: Charter of Rights and Freedoms,

Vietnam WarVietnam War

Months, Days, and HolidaysMonths, Days, and Holidays

Capitalize names of months, days, and Capitalize names of months, days, and holidays, but not the names of seasons.holidays, but not the names of seasons. Examples: July, Thursday, Halloween, winterExamples: July, Thursday, Halloween, winter

Races, Languages, Nationalities, Races, Languages, Nationalities, ReligionsReligions

Capitalize the names of races, languages, Capitalize the names of races, languages, nationalities, and religions. Also capitalize nationalities, and religions. Also capitalize any adjectives that come from these any adjectives that come from these names.names. Examples: Greek, German, PolishExamples: Greek, German, Polish

School SubjectsSchool Subjects

Do not capitalize the names of school Do not capitalize the names of school subjects, except course titles followed by a subjects, except course titles followed by a number.number. Example: social studies, Math 101Example: social studies, Math 101

Remember that names of languages are Remember that names of languages are always capitalized.always capitalized. Example: English, FrenchExample: English, French

Ships, Trains, Airplanes, Ships, Trains, Airplanes, AutomobilesAutomobiles

Capitalize the names of ships, trains, Capitalize the names of ships, trains, airplanes, and automobiles.airplanes, and automobiles. Example: Nissan Altima, Queen Elizabeth IIExample: Nissan Altima, Queen Elizabeth II

Correct the following sentencesCorrect the following sentences

1.1. Every june, elizabeth seaton high school Every june, elizabeth seaton high school holds a carnival.holds a carnival.

2.2. The high school is across the street from The high school is across the street from lakeview hospital.lakeview hospital.

3.3. The marzo family spent august traveling The marzo family spent august traveling through europe in a volkswagon van.through europe in a volkswagon van.

4.4. via connects halifax to montreal.via connects halifax to montreal.

AnswersAnswers

1.1. Every Every JJune, une, EElizabeth lizabeth SSeaton eaton HHigh igh SSchool holds a carnival.chool holds a carnival.

2.2. The high school is across the street from The high school is across the street from LLakeview akeview HHospital.ospital.

3.3. The The MMarzo family spent arzo family spent AAugust traveling ugust traveling through through EEurope in a urope in a VVolkswagon van.olkswagon van.

4.4. VVia connects ia connects HHalifax to alifax to MMontreal.ontreal.

First Words - Sentences and PoetryFirst Words - Sentences and Poetry

Capitalize the first word of every Capitalize the first word of every sentences and the first word of most lines sentences and the first word of most lines of poetry.of poetry. One more in misted AprilOne more in misted April

The world is growing green.The world is growing green.

- “An April Morning” by Bliss - “An April Morning” by Bliss CarmenCarmen

QuotationsQuotations

Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation. A Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation. A direct quotation tells the exact words of a direct quotation tells the exact words of a speaker or writer.speaker or writer. Emerson said, “Emerson said, “TThe only way to have a friend is to be he only way to have a friend is to be

one.”one.”

In a divided quotation, a direct quotation is In a divided quotation, a direct quotation is broken into two parts by words like “he said” or broken into two parts by words like “he said” or “she explained”. Do not capitalize the first word “she explained”. Do not capitalize the first word of the second unless it starts a new sentence.of the second unless it starts a new sentence. ““I agree,” Tim said, “I agree,” Tim said, “tthat a good friend is rare.”hat a good friend is rare.” ““I agree.” Tim said. “I agree.” Tim said. “AA good friend is rare.” good friend is rare.”

Letter PartsLetter Parts

Capitalize the first word in the greeting and Capitalize the first word in the greeting and closing of a letter.closing of a letter. Examples: Dear JohnExamples: Dear John

Yours trulyYours truly

TitlesTitles

Capitalize the first word and all important Capitalize the first word and all important words in titles of books, newspaper, words in titles of books, newspaper, magazines, plays, movies, television, magazines, plays, movies, television, works of arts, songs, poems, short stories, works of arts, songs, poems, short stories, and magazine articles.and magazine articles. Examples: The Fredericton Gleaner, Examples: The Fredericton Gleaner,

Cosmopolitan, When I Grow UpCosmopolitan, When I Grow Up

Correct the following sentencesCorrect the following sentences

1.1. dear ms. kruger:dear ms. kruger:

your two tickets to a special your two tickets to a special showing of the star wars trilogy are enclosed. showing of the star wars trilogy are enclosed. thank you for your order.thank you for your order.

sincerely yours,sincerely yours,

2. “dave,” joyce said, “watch while i try a 2. “dave,” joyce said, “watch while i try a cartwheel.”cartwheel.”

3. “i keep forgetting my locker combination.” said 3. “i keep forgetting my locker combination.” said adam. “maybe i should write it down.”adam. “maybe i should write it down.”

AnswersAnswers

1.1. DDear ear MMs. s. KKruger:ruger:

YYour two tickets to a special our two tickets to a special showing of the showing of the SStar tar WWars trilogy are enclosed. ars trilogy are enclosed. TThank you for your order.hank you for your order.

SSincerely yours,incerely yours,

2. “2. “DDave,” ave,” JJoyce said, “watch while I try a oyce said, “watch while I try a cartwheel.”cartwheel.”

3. “3. “II keep forgetting my locker combination.” said keep forgetting my locker combination.” said AAdam. “dam. “MMaybe aybe II should write it down.” should write it down.”