Capital Letters
Reading and Composition I, II-2013
Capital letters are used to distinguish certain words to make your sentences— and thoughts—more clear to the reader. We will study a few rules on how to use capital letters every week throughout this quarter. The following are the main rules to use capital letters: 1.
The first word in a book, etc. — The first word in every book, article, blog post, news piece or other writing should begin with a capital letter. 2. The first word of a sentence. — The first word of every sentence or its equivalent should begin with a capital letter. Examples: When did you come? The day is hot. 3. Numbered clauses, etc. — The first word of each series of numbered clauses or phrases should begin with a capital letter. Example: He directed his efforts to these points: 1. To showing the necessity for a short route; 2. To showing that the route he advocated was the shortest; 3. To showing that a road could be built most cheaply by his route. 4. First word of an example. — The first word of a clause or a sentence, when used as an example, should begin with a capital letter. Examples: A sentence should begin with a capital letter; as Procrastination is the thief of time. You have to ask your classmate some questions; for example What’s your name? Where do you live? Do you work?
Practice: Add capital letters when necessary according to the rules above. •i had many errands to run last weekend: 1. going grocery shopping; 2. taking the dog to the vet; and 3. paying bills were just a few of them. •mr. Soto is the coordinator of our major. •My mother is not working today. she had a doctor’s appointment early this morning. her boss gave her the day off. •we saw the accident from a distance.
•Wh words are capitalized at the beginning of sentences; for instance how old are you?
5. After an Introductory Word : The first word after an introductory word or clause should begin with a capital letter. Examples “Resolved! That the pen is stronger than the sword." “Mary! The teacher needs to talk to you.” “Listen to him! He is a great singer.” 6. In an Enumeration of Particulars : The first word of each new line in an enumeration of particulars (details or information about a person or an event), when arranged in lines, should begin with a capital letter. Example The expenses of the committee have been as follows: For Postage: $14.70 For Advertising: $375 For Tickets: 44.50 7. Direct Questions. — The first word of a direct question should begin with a capital letter. Examples. The question is, When should we raise more money? Can you help me, please? I said, Where do you live ? •You can also apply this rule to cover an important statement. Example. My opinion is this: We need to work hard in order to succeed. 8. Direct Quotation. — The first word of every direct quotation should begin with a capital letter. Example. Carlyle says, "I am overworked, underpaid and exhausted. What else do you want from me?" Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Practice Add capital letters when necessary according to the rules above. •before my grandfather passed away, he told me, “do your best and forget the rest.” •Wow! the concert was amazing! The band is so good. •The person in charge must fill these requirements : Be always on time have a meeting with the employees every month speak English and French be a natural leader •A. I could not listen! what did you say? B. I said “we should go now, it is late.” •A: Hey! you won´t believe it! I got a scholarship to study in London. B. Really! that is incredible! You must go. Remember that old saying: “some opportunities only come once.”
9. Poetry. — The first word of every line of poetry should begin with a capital letter. Ex. — "Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would seek for pearls must dive below.“
10. Proper Names. — Every proper name should begin with a capital letter. Ex. — John, Mary, Monday, America, New Jersey, Danielle Barton. Note 1. — This rule applies also to the names of the months and the days of the week, but not to the names of the seasons, as these latter are not regarded as proper nouns. Note 2. — The word devil when used to designate Satan is written with a capital letter; as, “The Devil and his cohorts.“ 11. Particular Objects or Events. — Words naming particular objects or events should begin with capital letters. Ex. — Hudson's Bay, Gulf of Mexico, the Statue of Liberty, Jersey City, the Metropolitan Hotel, Niagara Falls, the Park, the Revolution, Fourth of July, the Teachers' Association. Note 1. —In writing the names of places consisting of two words in some cases usage is not uniform. Thus, New-Castle, New Castle and Newcastle are all correct. When connected with a hyphen or when separated, each part begins with a capital letter; but when the two names constitute one word, only one capital is used. Note 2. —When a compound name is composed of a proper name and some other word or affix, if the proper name follows the hyphen both parts begin with capitals; as, PreMed; but when the proper name precedes the other, the proper name alone begins with a capital letter; as, Sunday-school, 12. Proper Adjectives. — Adjectives derived from proper names should begin with capital letters. Ex. — Scotch, American, African, Johnsonian.
Remark 1. — When words derived from proper names are used to express a common quality they are no longer written with capitals ; as, godlike, damask, stentorian, etc. Remark 2. — The names of religious sects, whether derived from proper names or not, should begin with capital letters ; as, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc. The names of political parties also, as Democrats, Republicans, Whigs, Conservatives, etc., should begin with capital letters; also the adjectives derived from these names.
Note. — The words North, East, West, South, when they denote sections of country, should begin with capital letters, but when they denote simply direction, they should begin with small letters; as, "The South is rapidly developing her wealth." "Maryland is south of Pennsylvania." "They have had snow in the north."
Practice 1.
he said, “the english test will be on wednesday.�
2. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could 3. The chinese noodles are in the kitchen pantry. 4. The band plays christian music. 5. the golden gate bridge is located in san francisco. 6. my aunt betsy lives in england, she learned english in school.