American Grammar Checkup: More Devilish Details -- Capitalization
So far I’ve written three posts ( #1, #2, #3) on devilish details that can derail even the best article, because many writers are not putting their best selves forward. They’re turning readers away due to small errors that when added up may make the writers look unprofessional.
Today I am going to focus on using capital letters correctly, because there seems to be a lot of confusion concerning them.
We use capital letters for the letter I when it stands alone, for the first word of a sentence, and to name a person or a specific place or thing.
The letter I: In American English – and I believe in ALL English versions – the letter I standing alone is always capitalized. It just is. We cannot write “i did”; it must be “I did.”
I see this frequently in social media profiles, which are the first things we see about anyone, and we’d all be smart to check ours to see if we missed it while typing. Most publishing platforms do not have a built-in spellchecker, so if we do type i, it will stay that way. I’m creating this post in Word, and every time I type i, it automatically gets changed to the capital letter (I have to force it to stay as the lowercase form). We can become so used to our spellcheck program making the change we don’t even realize it did not happen on a publishing platform.
First letters of our name: We should capitalize the first letters in our name. The basic rule for capitalizing is to capitalize words that are “proper nouns,” words that name people and specific places and things. To not use capital letters in those circumstances will look odd and wrong to many readers, and it will take away from your professional presentation. And our name is our singular identity; let’s be sure we’re using it to signal our pride in it!
YES: Susan Rooks
NO: susan rooks
NOTE: I realize that around the world some names have words in them that do not get capitalized; I have seen that. But almost always the FIRST word of the name will be. I am simply saying that if you do not have a good reason to leave off the capital letters, please consider using them.
Specific people, places, or things: Too many writers think titles like doctor, president, or executive are always capitalized, but unless they’re referring to a specific person, we generally do NOT capitalize the word. The same idea holds true for places and things; there are general terms that are not capitalized; there are specific ones that are.
Dr. Albert Schweitzer; Albert Schweitzer was a doctor.
the High Bridge (aka Python Bridge), Amsterdam, Netherlands; a bridge in Amsterdam
the Queen of England; a queen in England
the Kashmir Valley in India; a valley in India
Are there other details you see that I could include in a future post? While none of these are huge deals, if there are too many of them in your profile or posts, your readers might wonder what’s going on. At the least, these details can be distracting and take away from the thoughts you worked so hard to express.
If this post helps you in any way, please share it with your hives so they may learn as well. And please do comment; it helps you to stand out and you never know who might be interested in YOU. (Just ask Deb Helfrich how well that has worked for her.)
For more posts on topics ranging from American grammar to Friday Fundays, please visit my website: GrammarGoddess.com. Poke around. See what you find. See if there’s anything I can help you with!
Articles from Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
View blogSometimes I create a Funday with a theme; other times the theme comes begging to be recognized! And ...
I am certain every language has its own ways that might not make absolute sense in terms of spelling ...
Aha, and you thought I wouldn’t keep up my end of the bargain to return to the Tuesday Tricksters fo ...
Related professionals
You may be interested in these jobs
-
Radiology Full-Time position in Miami, Florida
2 weeks ago
University of Miami Health System Miami, United States Full time**Job Functions:** · * Interpret interventional radiology imaging studies and perform interventional procedures. · * Assist in the development and implementation of new and innovative interventional procedures · * Be responsible for evaluating patients both pre and post intervent ...
-
PV Installer I
3 days ago
Titan Solar Power Joliet, United StatesJob DetailsLevelEntryJob LocationJoliet - Joliet, ILPosition TypeFull TimeEducation LevelHigh SchoolDescriptionAbout Us:Titan Solar Power is disrupting the solar industry through speed, integrity, and excellence. As the nation's "Top Rooftop Solar Contractor", we pursue greatness ...
-
Employee Warehouse Worker
1 week ago
Direct apply
Emerald Enterprises Powdersville, SC, United States FreelanceJob Description: · ARWA Personnel Services GmbH offers a future-oriented employment relationship within the framework of temporary employment. Our company has been recognized and certified by various carriers and institutions, which demonstrates our experienced workplace and serv ...
Comments
Ken Boddie
6 years ago #5
Proma Nautiyal
6 years ago #4
Lisa Gallagher
6 years ago #3
John Rylance
6 years ago #2
Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
6 years ago #1
Yes, I think in this day and age, we need to tighten up our writing, Ren\u00e9e \ud83d\udc1d Cormier, if only to stand out. I know that not everyone grew up learning English (whichever variation) as a native tongue; I'm amazed at how well others do with it under those circumstances and I respect them immensely. But even though are times when we don't have to be "proper," with business we do best when we err on the side of caution, of professionalism. And thanks so much for sharing my buzz! I really appreciate that.