Capitalization Rules in English
Capitalization means writing the first letter of a word in uppercase (capital letter). It is a very important grammar rule in English writing that helps show respect, clarity, and correct sentence structure.
Let’s understand the key rules of capitalization with examples:
1. Start of a Sentence
Always capitalize the first word of every sentence.
Examples:
She is going to school.
It is a beautiful day.
2. The Pronoun ‘I’
The pronoun “I” is always written in capital, no matter where it appears in the sentence.
Examples:
My friends and I are going out.
I love learning English.
3. Proper Nouns
Capitalize names of specific people, places, organizations, days, and months.
People’s Names:
Ram, Sita, John, Priya
Places:
India, New York, Taj Mahal, Mount Everest
Organizations:
Google, Microsoft, United Nations
Days & Months:
Monday, Friday, January, October
Note: Don’t capitalize names of seasons (summer, winter, etc.) unless they begin a sentence.
4. Titles and Designations
Capitalize titles when they come before a person’s name, but not always after.
Examples:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the event.
Narendra Modi is the prime minister of India.
Doctor Sharma is very kind.
Sharma is a doctor.
5. Titles of Books, Movies, and Works
Capitalize the main words in titles (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs), but small linking words (like ‘of’, ‘the’, ‘a’, ‘in’) are not capitalized unless they are the first word.
Examples:
The Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
6. Languages, Nationalities, Religions
Always capitalize names of languages, countries, nationalities, and religions.
Examples:
Hindi, English, French
Indian, American
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
7. Salutations and Closings in Letters
Capitalize the first word in the greeting and closing of letters or emails.
Examples:
Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Best regards
Bonus Tips:
DO NOT use all capital letters in writing unless you’re emphasizing something (like headings or warnings).
Be consistent with capitalization—especially in formal writing.
Summary:
Capitalization helps your writing look polished and correct. It shows respect for names and ensures clarity. By following these rules, your sentences will always be grammatically correct and professional.