Is “dad” capitalized?
The answer is it depends on whether dad is used as a proper noun or a common noun in the text. As a proper noun, “Dad” should be capitalized. As a common noun, dad uses lowercase letters. First, let’s understand a couple of basic rules about grammar, the difference between proper nouns and common nouns, and when to capitalize—in the following section.
I’m going to ask Dad if I can go.
My dad bought a new car.
My Dad bought a new car.
I’m going to ask dad if I can go.
Back to the basics: proper nouns vs common nouns
One of the main capitalization rules in English grammar is that all proper nouns are capitalized, no matter where they appear in a sentence. Proper nouns name specific people, places, things, or ideas. A person’s name is a proper noun, and so is the name of a country or company. That said, simply writing ‘country’ or ‘company’, does not require these words to take on a capital letter.
This is because they are common nouns: they refer to a general category or type of thing and do not point out a specific thing or entity. This chart shows the difference between both common and proper noun forms:
Capitalization rules for “dad,” visualize “Dad” (capitalized) as a proper noun, like a name, and “dad” (lowercase) as a common noun, like a general term.
Examples of sentences with Dad as a proper noun:
The following sentences demonstrate the correct use of dad as a proper noun:
1. You should have seen Dad’s face.
2. As far as that went, Mom did seem mighty upset for a while after Dad left.
3. That night… was Dad‘s birthday.
4. I guess I distrusted all men because of what Dad did.
5. Dad would have given her anything she wanted.
6. Like I said, Russie’s mother was always strange, but after Dad died, she really became eccentric.
7. Mom and Dad wouldn’t let me come up here when I was little because they were afraid I would fall down the stairs.
8. Dad said we were going to watch some horses race tomorrow.
9. She had inherited violet eyes from her Mother, but what if the baby had blue eyes like Dad?
10. In her mind’s eye, she could see Mom, gray-haired, wrinkled and tired-but still taking joy in putting food on the table for Dad.
When to write dad or other family members in lowercase
Grammar rules for when to capitalize the names of family members: Use lowercase letters for names of family members (i.e., dad, mom, sister, brother, grandma, etc.) when they follow a possessive determiner, such as ‘my’. Example: ‘My dad took me to the football game last night.’ The following sentences demonstrate the correct use of dad as a common noun, or as a proper noun but in lowercase letters:
1. I’ve got a lot to learn about being a dad.
2. After a divorce, children need to understand the way their mom and dad raise them will not change.
3. After school, my dad took me to my piano lesson.
4. My grades have lowered significantly, as a result, my dad grounded me.
5. For every household, a dad is a vital pillar in supporting the family.
Synonyms for dad
- Father
- Daddy
- Papa
- Old man
- Parent
- Guardian
- Tata
- Dada
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Work Sheet
Which sentence correctly uses “Dad”?
In the sentence, “My dad is tall,” “dad” is a:
Which sentence is grammatically incorrect?
When should “Dad” be capitalized?
What is the difference between using “Dad” and “dad”?
I love my .
Is it correct to write: is going to the store.
Complete the sentence: My is very kind.
Fill in the blank: I asked for help.
Correct this sentence: “My Dad is cooking dinner.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Should “dad” always be capitalized?
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When is “Dad” a proper noun?
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When is “dad” a common noun?
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What’s the capitalization rule for family terms?
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Is “My Dad” grammatically correct?
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Yash, D. "Do You Capitalize Dad in Writing?." Grammarflex, Jun 5, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/should-you-capitalize-dad-which-is-correct-how-to-use-plus-examples/.
Sources
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Sentence examples are from contentauthority.com
