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ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE REVIEW

capitalization

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

Capitalization questions address capitalization rules involving proper nouns. You must know how to apply capitalization rules to publication titles, individual names, professional titles, names of events, organizations, and geographic locations. Months, days, and holidays may also be tested. A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing, such as an organization or a landmark. In the English language, proper nouns are always capitalized. Several specific examples of proper noun capitalization are shown in this review.

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

PUBLICATION TITLES When referring to a publication, such as a book or magazine, the first word in the title should be capitalized, as should all major words in the title. Minor words, such as

• f and the, are not capitalized.

Correct Incorrect The Wall Street Journal the Wall Street Journal A Wrinkle in Time A Wrinkle In Time The Cat in the Hat The Cat In The Hat

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

INDIVIDUAL NAMES The names of specific people should be capitalized. Words that indicate family titles are capitalized if they are used to refer to a specific person.

Correct Incorrect Jim Pearson Jim pearson Aunt Sally aunt Sally his only living uncle his only living Uncle

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

PROFESSIONAL TITLES Professional titles, such as doctor or professor, are capitalized when they are used to refer to the name of a specific individual. Regina was looking for a good doctor, so I sent her to Dr.

• Cole. Correct.

The professor asked the students to call him Professor

• Thomas. Correct.

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS AND EVENT NAMES The names of geographic locations are capitalized if they refer to a specific place. This includes national landmarks and historical monuments, such as Lincoln’s Memorial. The names of directions – east, west, north, and south – are capitalized if they refer to a specific geographical region or are used as part of a place name. If they are used as adjectives, they should be lowercase.

Capitalized Don’t Capitalized Germany southern fried chicken Main Street east of the city Hoover Dam western style the old West head north on the highway South Dakota

Important Note: Formal titles of events should be capitalized. Examples include Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Boston Marathon, and Super Bowl Sunday.

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

ORGANIZATIONS The names of organizations should be capitalized. Be sure to capitalize all major words in the title. The pilot went to work for American Airlines. Correct. The pilot went to work for American airlines. Incorrect. Professor Carter graduated from Princeton university. Incorrect. Professor Carter graduated from Princeton University. Correct.

ATI TEAS ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE USAGE capitalization

MONTHS, DAYS, AND HOLIDAYS The full names of months, days, and holidays are all capitalized.

Correct Incorrect January january Tuesday tuesday

• St. Patrick’s Day
• St. Patrick’s day

New Year’s Eve New Year’s eve

The names of seasons – winter, spring, summer, and fall – are not normally capitalized, unless the season is included as part

• f a proper noun.

Don’t Capitalize Capitalize spring flowers Spring Fling winter snow Winter Solstice Festival a summer day Summer Concert Series changing fall colors Autumn Harvest Celebration