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Grammar and Punctuation Guides: Capitals

The tutorials below address basic grammar and punctuation errors writers routinely have. Use these guidelines to proofread and correct errors in your papers before submission.

About Capitals

Students sometimes get into trouble when they use capitals to add emphasis to their writing.


For example:

WrongEven though I like Reading, I would rather study Programming. (There are the general names of subjects, not the names of specific classes.)

RightEven though I like reading, I would rather study math.


There are 6 uses of capitals: 


1) The 1st word in a sentence or a direct quotation:


For example:


She wanted to go to the beach.

She said, "Let's go to the beach."


2) The word 'I' and people's names:


For example:


I feel the need for speed when driving.

Larry likes lemons.

3) The names of specific places, institutions, and languages:

For example:

The Sorbonne is a university in France.

French is the language the French Foreign Legion uses regardless of where its soldiers come from.

4) Product names:

For example:

Xerox makes copiers, but not all copies are xeroxes. 

A smartphone can be an iPhone or a Blackberry or an Android.


5) Calendar items:

For example:

I sent my friend a Hanukkah card while she sent me a Christmas card. 

Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

6) Titles:

For example:

My doctor is named Dr. Payne.

She always keeps the latest issue of MAD and National Lampoon in her waiting room.

Learn More About Capitals

Practice Capital Letters Here!