What are Capitalised Words? Definition
Capitalised words are those which have been spelt with a capital letter at the beginning of the word. The rules for using capitals can be quite confusing, especially for people who are not native English speakers. In this blog post, we will explore the rules for using capitals and how they can be applied in different contexts. We will also provide some examples of capitalised words in use. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of when and how to use capitals in your own writing.
What is Capitalisation?
There are many rules of capitalisation, but the most basic rule is that you should always capitalise the first letter of a sentence. Other rules include capitalising proper nouns (names of people, places, things, etc.), and words that are derived from proper nouns.
There are different schools of thought on how to deal with capitalisation in titles and headings. Some people believe that all words in a title or heading should be capitalised, while others believe that only the first word should be capitalised. There is no right or wrong answer, but whichever style you choose, you should be consistent throughout your writing.
In general, you should only use capitals for emphasis if absolutely necessary. Overusing capitals can make your writing look juvenile or unprofessional. If you want to emphasize a word or phrase, consider using italics or bold instead.
The Different Types of Capitalisation
There are four main types of capitalisation:
1. Upper case or title case – Used for the titles of books, movies, songs etc. For example: The Cat in the Hat, Titanic, Imagine.
2. Lower case – Used for most other text including headlines, subheadings and body copy. For example: cat, dogs, the big apple.
3. Sentence case – Only the first letter of the first word is capitalised. For example: This is a sentence. So is this one. As well as this one.
4. Mixed case – A mix of upper and lower case letters are used throughout a piece of text. For example: ThIs Is A MiXeD CaSe SeNtEnCe.
Rules for Capitalisation
There are some simple rules to follow when it comes to capitalisation. First, always capitalise the first word of a sentence. Second, always capitalise the pronoun “I”. Third, proper nouns—which include the names of people, places, and things—should be capitalised. Finally, titles should be capitalised when they precede a name, as in “Mr. Smith” or “Doctor Jones”.
How to Use Capitalisation Correctly
In order to use capitalisation correctly, you need to be aware of what words are typically capitalised. These include proper nouns, titles, and certain words that denote unique concepts. When in doubt, consult a dictionary or style guide to determine whether or not a word should be capitalised.
Once you know which words should be capitalised, the next step is to ensure that you are using them correctly in your writing. Remember to always capitalise the first word in a sentence, as well as any proper nouns. Pay attention to the punctuation surrounding your capitalised words, as incorrectly placed punctuation can change the meaning of what you’re trying to say.
When writing for business or academic purposes, it is important to be consistent with your use of capitalisation. This means choosing one style and sticking to it throughout your document. If you are unsure which style to use, consult a style guide or ask your instructor for guidance.
Examples of Incorrect Capitalisation
Some common examples of incorrect capitalisation are:
-When people refer to the internet as “the Internet”
-When people write in all caps
-Using excessive capitalisation for emphasis
-Acronyms and initialisations that are not written in all caps (e.g. NATO, CPU)
-The first letter of a sentence
Conclusion
Capitalised words are an important part of grammar and punctuation. They can change the meaning of a sentence, and can be used for emphasis or to make a point. If you’re unsure about when to use capitalised words, it’s a good idea to consult a dictionary or style guide. In general, though, remember that capitalisation is usually reserved for proper nouns (i.e., specific people, places, or things) and the first word in a sentence.