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Capitalisation in English is one of those essential skills that may seem simple at first, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Whether you’re writing an email, a report, or just chatting online, knowing when to capitalise words is key to making your writing look professional and polished. If you’re starting your journey to learn English, or you’re considering joining one of the many English courses available, mastering capitalisation is a great first step.
This guide will walk you through the basic rules of capitalisation in English, using examples and explanations that make learning fun and easy. So, let’s dive in!
This is the most basic rule of capitalisation and one you’ve likely seen in every book, article, or text you’ve read. The first word in every sentence should always begin with a capital letter.
Example:
– Correct: The sun is shining brightly today.
– Incorrect: the sun is shining brightly today.
No matter what, always start your sentence with a capital letter!
A proper noun is the specific name of a person, place, or thing. These are unique, one-of-a-kind entities, and they always begin with a capital letter. This rule is essential because it helps readers understand when you’re referring to something specific rather than something general.
Examples:
– People’s names: Maria, Ahmed, David
– Places: Dubai, London, Times Square
– Specific things or titles: The Mona Lisa, Apple Inc., Queen Elizabeth
Remember: You should always capitalise the specific names of countries, cities, companies, and famous landmarks. This is especially important when you’re referring to well-known places like Dubai.
Unlike many other languages, in English, the pronoun “I” is always capitalised. It doesn’t matter where it appears in the sentence — whether it’s at the beginning, middle, or end — “I” must always be capitalised.
Example:
– Correct: She and I are going to the beach.
– Incorrect: She and i are going to the beach.
This rule applies even if “I” is in the middle of a sentence or after a comma.
The names of days, months, and holidays are considered proper nouns, so they must be capitalised. This rule is easy to follow, but it’s one that learners often forget in practice.
Examples:
– Days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
– Months of the year: January, March, November
– Holidays: Christmas, Eid, New Year’s Day
Notice that general terms like “weekend,” “holiday,” and “season” are not capitalised, but specific names of days, months, and holidays are.
When addressing someone by their title or when referring to a title along with a name, the title should be capitalised. This rule is especially important when writing formal letters or addressing people in business.
Examples:
– President Obama
– Professor Smith
– Dr. Jones
However, if you are talking about someone in general terms (without their name), the title is not capitalised.
Examples:
– The president gave a speech.
– The professor will arrive soon.
When writing the title of a book, movie, song, or any other work of art, specific words in the title must be capitalised. Generally, the first and last words of the title are always capitalised, as well as all content words in between (such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.). Function words like “and,” “of,” or “the” are not capitalised unless they are the first or last word of the title.
Examples:
– Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
– The Lord of the Rings
– Gone with the Wind
If you’re quoting someone in your writing, the first word of the quote must always be capitalised, even if it appears in the middle of a sentence.
Example:
– He said, “Capitalisation is easy to learn.”
Even though the quote is in the middle of a sentence, “Capitalisation” is capitalised because it’s the first word in the quote.
When writing about specific geographical locations, always capitalise the name of the place. This includes countries, cities, continents, mountains, oceans, and rivers.
Examples:
– Africa, Dubai, Mount Everest, the Atlantic Ocean
If you are referring to directions (north, south, east, west) as general terms, do not capitalise them. But if the direction is part of a specific place’s name or region, it should be capitalised.
Examples:
– We are travelling south this winter.
– The South of France is beautiful.
Always capitalise the names of nationalities, languages, and religions, as these are all proper nouns.
Examples:
– She speaks English, Spanish, and Arabic.
– He is Canadian.
– Islam, Christianity, Hinduism
Remember that the first letter of all nationalities must be capitalised.
In email subjects, it’s a good practice to capitalise the first word and any key words in the subject line to ensure clarity and professionalism. Avoid capitalising function words like “and” or “of” unless they’re the first word of the subject.
Examples:
– Meeting Tomorrow at 10 AM
– Invitation to Our Summer Workshop
While capitalisation is important, it’s equally essential not to overuse it. Avoid the temptation to capitalise every word in a sentence, as this can make your writing harder to read and less professional.
Correct: This is a fun class at the best school in Dubai.
Incorrect: This Is A Fun Class At The Best School In Dubai.
Capitalisation helps your writing look professional, polished, and easy to read. When you capitalise correctly, it shows that you understand the rules of English and take your communication seriously. For learners of English, mastering capitalisation is a fundamental step in improving overall writing skills.
If you’re just starting out on your English learning journey, or you’re considering taking a course in Dubai to improve your skills, understanding capitalisation is a great foundation to build upon. ES Dubai, one of the leading English schools in Dubai, offers specialised courses to help you gain confidence in your writing, speaking, and overall language proficiency.
Whether you’re writing a job application, an academic paper, or a simple email, these rules will guide you towards clear and correct communication. By following these basic rules of capitalisation, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of writing in English.
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