CAPITALIZATION (See also Abbreviations; list on pp. 24-40) The initial capital letter is all that remains of our originally allcapital alphabet. It survives because it serves a definite purpose, such as introducing a sentence or an enumeration, distinguishing an individual within a class, or indicating preeminence or respect_or distinction attaching to a certain individual, position, or object. By thus emphasizing words, the capital letter helps the reader to grasp their significance more readily. Purpose, therefore, rather than mere opinion, is the logical criterion in deciding whether a particular word should be capitalized. The fundamental principle underlying rules for capitalization in the English language is that proper nouns and proper adjectives are capitalized and that common nouns and common adjectives are not capitalized. The difficulty in applying this principle lies in the fact that some nouns and adjectives are construed as proper in certain connections and common in others. It is impossible to give rules that will cover every conceivable problem, but by considering the purpose to be served and the fundamental principle it is possible to attain a considerable degree of uniformity. The list of approved usages given on pages 24-40 will serve as a reference guide. Manifestly such a list cannot be complete, but the correct usage with respect to any term not included can be determined by analogy or by application of the rules or the fundamental principle. Proper names: Page Proper names (rule 1). 16 Derivatives of proper names (rule 2) _ . 16 Common nouns and adjectives in proper names (rules 3-3c). 16 17 Particles in names of persons (rules 5-56) 17 Names of organized bodies (rules 6, 6a). 17 Names of countries, domains, and administrative divisions (rules 7, 7a) - 18 Names of regions, localities, and geographic features (rules 8, 8a) 19 Names of calendar divisions (rule 9).. 19 Names of historic events, etc. (rule 10) Trade names (rule 11). Scientific names (rules 12-12d). 19 19 20 Fanciful appellations (rule 13) Personifications (rule 14). 20 20 21 Titles of publications, papers, documents, acts, laws, etc. (rules 17-17e). 22 23 23 23 23 222222 22 **** 20 2. Derivatives of proper names, if used with a proper meaning, are capitalized; if used with an acquired and independent common meaning, they are not capitalized. Common nouns and adjectives in proper names 3. A common noun or common adjective forming an essential part of a proper name is capitalized; the common noun used alone as a substitute for the name of a place or thing is not capitalized. Massachusetts Avenue; the avenue Crow Reservation; the reservation Soldiers' Home of Ohio; the soldiers' home Johnson House (hotel); Johnson house (residence) Federal Express; the express Jersey City; also Washington City; but Lower California; but lower Mississippi Pier A; the pier; Lock 27; the lock (a) A common noun used alone as a well-known short form of a specific proper name is capitalized. the Canal (Panama Canal) the Capitol, the Monument (at Washington) the District (District of Columbia) the Lakes (Great Lakes) the Soldiers' Home (District of Columbia only) (b) The plural form of a common noun capitalized as part of a proper name under rule 3 or any other rule is also capitalized. Seventh and F Streets (rule 3) British and French Governments (rule 7a) Presidents Washington and Adams (rule 16) (c) A common noun used with a date, number, or letter merely to denote time or sequence, or merely for the purpose of reference, record, or temporary convenience, does not form a proper name and is therefore not capitalized. (See also rule 17.) Definite article in proper names 4. The word the (or its equivalent in a foreign language) used as an essential part of a proper name or a title is capitalized. British Consul v. The Mermaid (title of legal case) The Dalles (Oreg.); The Weirs (N.H.); but the Dalles region; the Weirs The Hague; but the Hague Court; the Second Hague Conference The Adjutant General (prescribed by law to designate the chief adjutant (a) In common practice this rule is disregarded in references to newspapers, periodicals, vessels, airships, trains, and firm names. the Times the Atlantic Monthly the Mermaid; the U-3 Particles in names of persons the Federal Express 5. In foreign names such particles as d', da, della, van, and von are capitalized unless preceded by a forename or title. D'Orbigny; Alcide d'Orbigny Van Rensselaer; Stephen van Rensselaer (a) In American and British names such particles are usually capitalized, even if preceded by a forename or title, but individual usage, if ascertainable, should be followed. Justice Van Devanter; Reginald De Koven Thomas De Quincey; William De Morgan If copy is not clear as to the form of such a name (for example, La Forge or Laforge), the two-word form should be used." (b) In names set in capitals de, von, etc., are set in cap and small caps but are closed up with the surname only if that is the individual preference. Names of organized bodies 6. The full names of organized bodies and the distinguishing substitutes for such names are capitalized; other substitutes, which are most often regarded as common nouns, are capitalized only in certain specified instances to indicate preeminence or distinction. (See list on pp. 24-40; rule 3b.) National governmental units: United States Congress: Seventy-second Congress; Congress; the Senate; the House; Committee of the Whole, the Committee; but committee (all other committees) Department of Agriculture: the Department; Division of Publications, Bureau of the Census: the Census Bureau; the Bureau; the Census Geological Survey: the Survey Interstate Commerce Commission: the Commission Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia: the Board of Foreign Service: the Service American Embassy, British Embassy: the Embassy; but the consulate; the consulate general 27672°-33- -2 Treasury of the United States: General Treasury; National Treasury; Public Treasury; the Treasury; Treasury notes; New York Subtreasury, the subtreasury United States Army, French Army: the Army; the Infantry; Eightyfirst Regiment; the Regulars; the Volunteers; Army Establishment; the Army Band; Army officer; Regular officer; Reserve officer; but volunteer officer; army shoe; Grant's army; Robinson's brigade; the brigade; the corps; the regiment; infantryman United States Navy, British Navy: the Navy; the Marine Corps; the Air Service; Navy (Naval) Establishment; Navy officer; but navy yard; naval officer; naval station International organizations: League of Nations: the League; the Council; the Assembly; the Secretariat International Court of Arbitration: the Court; the Tribunal (only in Hague Peace Conference of 1907: the Hague Conference; the Peace Common-noun substitutes: Virginia Assembly: the assembly; the senate; the house of delegates Buffalo Consumers' League: the consumers' league; the league Democratic National Convention: the convention Pennsylvania Railroad Co.: the Pennsylvania Railroad; Pennsylvania Riggs National Bank: the Riggs Bank; the bank (a) The names of members and adherents of organized bodies are capitalized where it is necessary to distinguish them from the same words used merely in a descriptive sense. (See also rule 15.) Representative Liberal Communist Names of countries, domains, and administrative divisions 7. The official designations of countries, national domains, and their principal administrative divisions are capitalized only if used with or as proper names or as proper adjectives. (See table on p. 152; also rule 3.) United States: the Republic; also the Nation; the Union; but republic, republican (in general sense) New York State: the State, a State (official designation); State rights (United States); but state (in general sense); church and state; statehood; state's evidence Territory of Hawaii: the Territory, Territorial; but territory, territorial (in general sense) Japanese Empire: the Empire; but empire (in general sense) Dominion of Canada: the Dominion; but dominion (in general sense) Ontario Province: the Province, Provincial; but province, provincial (in general sense) (a) The similar designations commonwealth, confederation (federal), government, nation (national), powers, union, etc., are capitalized only if used with or as proper names or as proper adjectives. (See also rule 36.) British Commonwealth, Commonwealth of Massachusetts: the Common- Swiss Confederation: the Confederation; the Federal Council; the Federal French Government: the Government; French and Italian Governments; Cherokee Nation: the nation; nation (in general sense); American nations Allied Powers, Central Powers (in World War); but the powers; European powers Union of South Africa: the Union; but union (in general sense) Names of regions, localities, and geographic features 8. A descriptive term used to denote a definite region, locality, or geographic feature is a proper name and is therefore capitalized. (See also rule 36.) the North Atlantic States the Gulf States; the Central States the Eastern Shore (Chesapeake Bay) the Driftless Area (Mississippi Valley) the Continental Divide (Rocky Mountains) the Occident; the Orient the Continent (continental Europe) the North Pole; the North and South Poles the Torrid Zone the East Side (section of a city) (a) A descriptive term used to denote mere direction or position is not a proper name and is therefore not capitalized. north; south; east; west northerly; northern; northward east Tennessee; southern California west Florida; but West Florida (1763-1819) Names of calendar divisions 9. The formal names of calendar divisions are capitalized. January; February; March; etc. but spring; summer; autumn; fall; winter Names of historic events, etc. 10. The formal names of historic events, historic epochs, holidays, and ecclesiastical feast and fast days are capitalized. Battle of Bunker Hill Battle of the Giants War of 1812; World War; but war of 1914 (rule 3c) Reformation Trade names Christian Era; Middle Ages; but twen tieth century (rule 3c) Renaissance Fourth of July; the Fourth Feast of the Passover; the Passover 11. A trade name is capitalized; a mere descriptive class term, or a common noun following the trade name of a brand, market grade, or variety, is not capitalized. Bon Ami (trade name) Airline honey (brand) Choice lamb (market grade) Yellow Stained cotton (market grade) |