Capitalize from this guide on the rules of capitalization in English. When to capitalize and when not to capitalize is a common question; let’s take a look at rules and reasons, below.
Rules of capitalization
1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence
The dog barked loudly.
After the rain, the sun came out.
the cat sat on the mat.
what time is the meeting tomorrow? (Incorrect: The first word, “what”, should be capitalized, even for questions.)
A basic rule of capitalization is to start each sentence with a capital letter. This marks the start of the sentence, and the beginning of a new thought or idea.
- Capitalization rules play a crucial role in improving the readability of your writing. They provide a clear structure for your thoughts and help convey your message effectively.
2. Proper Nouns: nouns, people, places
Proper nouns name specific people, places, ideas and companies always begin with a capital letter:
- I recently visited New York City (name of city) and explored the Metropolitan Museum of Art (specific place). The experience was unforgettable.
3. Titles and honourifics
Titles and honorifics, such as Mr., Mrs., Dr., and Professor, should be capitalized when used with a person’s name:
- Dr. Smith conducted an insightful lecture on the impact of climate change.
- I appreciate Professor Johnson’s dedication to education.
Capitalization rules by picturing the first word of a sentence standing tall like a capital letter, marking the start.
4. Days of the week and months
Days of the week and months are proper nouns and use upper case letters:
- The meeting is on Monday, and the project deadline is in December.
5. Historical events and periods
When referring to specific historical events, eras, or movements, capitalize the relevant terms:
- The Renaissance was a period of great cultural and artistic innovation in Europe.
- The Industrial Revolution transformed societies in the 18th and 19th centuries.
6. Capitalize nationalities and languages:
Nationalities and languages are proper nouns and should be capitalized:
- She speaks Spanish fluently, and her family has Italian roots.
7. Capitalize the Pronoun I:
The pronoun “I” is always capitalized, regardless of its position in a sentence:
- I am looking forward to the weekend getaway with my friends.
7. Capitalize titles of works
Capitalize the titles of books, movies, songs, and other creative works:
- I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and I highly recommend it.
In titles and headings, capitalize the important words, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives); e.g., The Art of Cooking: A Culinary Journey through Exquisite Flavors.
Work Sheet
Which sentence is correctly capitalized?
According to the rules, which word must be capitalized in this sentence: “I visited london last july.”?
Which option shows the correct capitalization for a title used with a person’s name?
Choose the sentence where the pronoun ‘I’ is correctly capitalized.
Which title of a book is correctly capitalized according to the rules?
We plan to travel to next year.
My birthday is in .
Art flourished during the .
She speaks fluently.
I spoke with about the lecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Capitalize the first word of a sentence?
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What are proper nouns?
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When to capitalize titles like Dr.?
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Is the pronoun “I” always capped?
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How to capitalize book titles?
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Yash, D. "Capitalization Rules (With Examples)." Grammarflex, Jun 16, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/capitalization-rules-with-examples/.
