2.4 Capitalization
Capitalize Proper Nouns
Proper nouns—the names of specific people, nationalities, languages, places, objects, streets, months, days of the week, buildings, events, or titles of individuals—are always capitalized.
Incorrect: He grew up in harlem, new york.
Correct: He grew up in Harlem, New York.
Incorrect: The sears tower in chicago has a new name.
Correct: The Sears Tower in Chicago has a new name.
Tip
Always capitalize nationalities, races, languages, and religions. For example, American, African American, Hispanic, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and so on.
Do not capitalize nouns for people, places, things, streets, buildings, events, and titles when the noun is used in general or common way. See the following chart for the difference between proper nouns and common nouns.
Though months and days are capitalized (March June Monday Saturday), the five seasons are NOT (summer, fall, autumn, winter, spring), unless added in a holiday or event like Spring Break.
| Common Noun | Proper Noun |
| museum | The Art Institute of Chicago |
| theater | Apollo Theater |
| country | Malaysia |
| uncle | Uncle Javier |
| doctor | Dr. Jackson |
| book | Pride and Prejudice |
| college | Smith College |
| war | the Spanish-American War |
| historical event | The Renaissance |
| school subjects:
math algebra biology |
Specific Courses:
Mr. Smith’s Math Class College Algebra Biology 2310 |
| spring, fall | Spring Break, Fall Fest |
