Punctuation and

Capitalization
English Capitalization Rules:

1 Capitalize the First Word of a Sentence

This one’s easy. Always capitalize the first word of a sentence.
• The cat is sleeping.
• Where did I put that book?
• Hey! It’s great to see you! How have you been?
• Capitalize Names and Other Proper Nouns
• You should always capitalize people’s names.
• My favorite author is Jane Austen.
• Tom and Diane met at Judy’s house.
• Have you met my dog, Boomer?
• Names are proper nouns. The names of cities, countries, companies,
religions, and political parties are also proper nouns, so you should
capitalize them, too.
• We experienced some beautiful Southern California weather last fall
when we attended a Catholic wedding in San Diego.
• You should also capitalize words like mom and grandpa when they are
used as a form of address.
• Just wait until Mom sees this!
• But
• My mom is not going to like this.
• Don’t Capitalize After a Colon (Usually),
• In most cases, you don’t need to capitalize after a colon.
• Bring the following: paper, a pencil, and a snack.
• I have one true passion: wombat racing.
• There are a couple of common exceptions. One is when the word
following the colon is a proper noun.
• There is only one place I want to visit: New York City.
• The other exception is when the words following the colon form one
or more complete sentences.
• Maggie wears a brimmed cap at all times for these two reasons:
Strong light often gives her a headache. She also likes the way it looks.
• When you are writing a topic / title use a capital after colon
• The River Merchant’s Wife: A Letter MLA style
• The river merchant’s wife: A letter APA style
• The formatting and capitalization of a movie/drama title depends on
the style guide you are using for your paper. The Modern Language
Association, American Psychological Association and Chicago style
place movie titles in italics, while Associated Press style uses quotes
for such titles. When referring to a movie in the body of a paper, all of
the major style guides use title case, which means all of the major
words in the title are capitalized.
• Capitalize the First Word of a Quote (Sometimes)
• Capitalize the first word of a quote when the quote is a complete
sentence.
• Mario asked, “What is everyone doing this weekend?”
• Stacy answered, “My sister and I are going to the water park.”
Don’t capitalize the first word of partial quotes.
• Gretchen said she was “way too busy” to join the class.
• Mr. Thompson described the rules as “extremely difficult to
understand if you don’t have a law degree.”
Capitalize Days, Months, and Holidays, But Not Seasons
• The names of days, months, and holidays are proper nouns, so you
should capitalize them.
• I hate Mondays!
• Tom’s birthday is in June.
• Oh no! I forgot about Valentine’s Day!
• The names of seasons, however, are not proper nouns, so there’s no
need to capitalize them.
• I hate winter!
• Having a summer birthday is the best.
Capitalize Most Words in Titles
• The capitalization rules for titles of books, movies, and other works
vary a little between style guides. In general, you should capitalize the
first word, all nouns, all verbs (even short ones, like is), all adjectives,
and all proper nouns. That means you should lowercase articles,
conjunctions, and prepositions—however, some style guides say to
capitalize conjunctions and prepositions that are longer than five
letters.
• Sense and Sensibility is better than Pride and Prejudice.
• The first movie of the series is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Capitalize Cities, Countries, Nationalities, and Languages
• The names of cities, countries, nationalities, and languages are proper
nouns, so you should capitalize them.
• English is made up of many languages, including Latin, German, and
French.
• My mother is British, and my father is Dutch.
• The capital of Botswana is Gaborone.
Capitalize Time Periods and Events (Sometimes)
• Specific periods, eras, and historical events that have proper names
should be capitalized.
• Most of the World War I veterans are now dead.
• In the Middle Ages, poor hygiene was partly responsible for the
spreading of bubonic plague.
• Middle school students often enjoy studying the social changes that
took place during the Roaring Twenties.
However, centuries—and the numbers before them—are not
capitalized.
• In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, England blossomed into
an empire.
Capitalization Reference List
• Brand names
• Companies
• Days of the week and months of the year
• Governmental matters
• Congress (but congressional), the U.S. Constitution (but
constitutional), the Electoral College, Department of Agriculture. Note:
Many authorities do not capitalize federal or state unless it is part of
the official title: State Water Resources Control Board, but state water
board; Federal Communications Commission, but federal regulations.
• Historical episodes and eras
the Inquisition, the American Revolutionary War
• Holidays
• Institutions
Oxford College, the Juilliard School of Music
• Manmade structures
the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, the Titanic
• Manmade territories
Berlin, Montana, Cook County
• Natural and manmade landmarks
Mount Everest, the Hoover Dam
• Nicknames and epithets
Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson; Babe Ruth, the Sultan of Swat
• Organizations
American Center for Law and Justice, Norwegian Ministry of the
Environment
• Planets
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, but policies vary on capitalizing
earth, and it is usually not capitalized unless it is being discussed specifically as a planet: We
learned that Earth travels through space at 66,700 miles per hour.
• Races, nationalities, and tribes
Eskimo, Navajo, East Indian, Caucasian, African American (Note: white and black in reference
to race are lowercase)
• Religions and names of deities
Note: Capitalize the Bible (but biblical). Do not capitalize heaven, hell, the devil, satanic.
• Special occasions
the Olympic Games, the Cannes Film Festival
• Streets and roads
Lowercase Reference List
Here is a list of categories not capitalized unless an item contains a proper
noun or proper adjective (or, sometimes, a trademark). In such cases, only
the proper noun or adjective is capitalized.

• Animals
antelope, black bear, Bengal tiger, yellow-bellied sapsucker, German
shepherd
• Elements
Always lowercase, even when the name is derived from a proper noun:
einsteinium, nobelium, californium
• Foods
Lowercase except for brand names, proper nouns and adjectives, or
custom-named recipes: Tabasco sauce, Russian dressing, pepper
crusted bluefin tuna, Mandy's Bluefin Surprise
• Heavenly bodies besides planets
Never capitalize the moon or the sun.
• Medical conditions
Epstein-Barr syndrome, tuberculosis, Parkinson's disease
• Minerals
• Plants, vegetables, and fruits
• Seasons and seasonal data
spring, summertime, the winter solstice, the autumnal equinox,
daylight saving time
• Titles are not the same as occupations. Do not capitalize occupations
before full names.
• Examples:
director Steven Spielberg
owner Helen Smith
coach Biff Sykes
• Sometimes the line between title and occupation gets blurred. One
example is general manager: is it a title or an occupation? Opinions
differ. Same with professor: the Associated Press Stylebook considers
professor a job description rather than a title, and recommends using
lowercase even before the full name: professor Robert Ames.
• However, titles replacing someone's first name are generally
capitalized.
• Example: Here comes Professor Ames.
• Capitalize a formal title when it is used as a direct address. The more
formal the title, the more likely it is to be capitalized.
• Examples:
Will you take my temperature, Doctor?
We're sorry to report, Captain, that we're headed for choppy waters.
That's what you say, mister.
Good afternoon, sweetheart.
• Capitalize relatives' family names (kinship names) when they
immediately precede a personal name, or when they are used alone
in place of a personal name.
• Examples:
I found out that Mom is here.
You look good, Grandpa.
Andy and Opie loved Aunt Bee's apple pies.
• However, these monikers are not capitalized when they are used with
possessive nouns or pronouns, or when they follow the personal
name, or when they do not refer to a specific person.
• Examples:
My mom is here.
Joe's grandpa looks well.
The James brothers were notorious robbers.
There's not one mother I know who would allow that.
• Capitalize nicknames in all cases.
• Examples:
Meet my brothers, Junior and Scooter.
I just met two guys named Junior and Scooter.
• It is not necessary to capitalize city, town, county, etc., if it comes
before the proper name.
• Examples:
the city of New York
New York City
the county of Marin
Marin County
• Capitalize art movements.
• Example: I like Surrealism, but I never understood Abstract
Expressionism.
Comma
• Comma Used With "and" or "but" to Join Two Complete Sentences
Together
• Example1: Mary ate dinner, and she ate dessert.  
Example 2: Mary ate dinner, but she didn't eat dessert.
• *No comma if second word group is not a complete sentence:
• Mary ate dinner and also ate dessert.  (subject missing in second
group).
• Comma Used After Introductory Word Group Before the Main
Sentence
• Because she had no money, Mary ate dinner at home.
• Comma Used Between All Items In a List of Three or More Items
• Mary's dinner consisted of salad, soup, chicken, and toast.
Note: The words "that Ivan made" are "restrictive" because they
restrict the dinner to the specific one Mary ate.  The dinner is not the
dinner made by Fred or Joyce but the dinner made by Ivan.
• Nonrestrictive Example 2: Mary's dinner, which included several food
groups, gave her heartburn.
• In this case, the words "which included several food groups" do not
restrict our knowledge to a specific dinner.  Therefore, the words are
nonrestrictive and should be set off by commas.
• Nonrestrictive Example 3: Mary's dinner, with its wide range of
flavor, was digested slowly.
• If removed, the words "with its wide range of flavor" would not
significantly alter the sentence's meaning because they are just
additional information and do not limit the word "dinner."
• Comma Used with Words Like "however" and Phrases Like "for
example"
• Example 1: Mary ate dinner, however, she was hungry an hour later.
Example 2: Mary's dinner was made with several spices; for
example, the chicken was sprinkled with Cayenne pepper.
• *Note:  The semi-colon may be used to connect two complete
sentences together, which is the case in both of these examples. See
the first rule under semi-colon rules below.
• Comma Used with Word Groups that Contradict
• Example 1: Mary ate dinner, not breakfast, every day.
Example 2: Unlike Ivan, Mary ate dinner every day.
• Comma Used for Additional Information
• Example 1: Mary, as far as Ivan knows, ate dinner.
Example 2: Mary ate dinner at 9:00, give or take a few minutes.
• Comma Used to Set Off the Following: Names of People Directly Addressed by the
Sentence; the Words "yes" and "no"; Interrogative (Question) Tags; and Mild
Interjections
• Person Directly Addressed by the Sentence:  Ivan, Please Pardon Mary for belching at
dinner.
• "Yes" or "No": Yes, Mary's belch disturbed Ivan's tranquility.
• Interrogative (Question) Tags: Mary's dinner did exceed the 1,000 calorie limit, didn't it ?
• Mild Interjection: Well, Mary ate dinner again.
• Comma Used with Words Such as "she said" to Indicate Direct Quotations
• Example 1: Ivan said, "Mary ate dinner at 9:12."
Example 2: "Ivan made my dinner," announced Mary.
Commas Used with Numbers, Dates,
Titles, and Addresses
• Numbers (Use Comma if Number is Longer than Four Digits. If Comma is Four Digits
Exactly, Comma’s use is Optional): Mary ate 50,000 green peas last year.
• Dates: On September 14, 1993, Mary ate dinner.
• Titles (Such as Ph.D., D.G., etc.): Mary Chambers, M.D., ate dinner.
• Addresses Example 1: Mary ate dinner at her house on 250 Bolus Way, Digest,
Georgia 31072.
• Addresses Example 2: Mary ate dinner in Digest, Georgia, in 1993.
• *Note: Do not use zip code abbreviations for states. GA would be incorrect for
Georgia in the sentence above.
Comma Used to Avoid Confusion
• To eat is normal; to gorge oneself, gluttony.
Semicolons and Colons
• Semicolon Used to Join Two Complete Sentences
• Example 1: Mary ate dinner; the dinner tasted exquisite.
Example 2: By age 15, Ivan had cooked 300 meals; by age 20, he had
cooked twice that amount.
• Semicolon Used with Words Like 'however" and Phrases Like "for
example"
• Example 1: Mary ate dinner; however, she was hungry an hour later.
Example 2: Mary's dinner was made with several spices; for
example, the chicken was sprinkled with Cayenne pepper.
• Semicolon Used to Clarify a List of Items When Each Item has
Punctuation Within Itself
• Mary's favorite dinner foods are chicken, with Cayenne pepper; salad,
with Italian dressing; toast, with garlic and butter; and soup, with
scallions, cheese, and mushrooms.
• Colon Used to Further Explain or Introduce a List
• Further Explanation with Two Sentences: Mary's dinner reminded her
of the back yard: both contained many wonderful colors and smells.
• Further Explanation with a List: Mary's dinner consisted of the
following: salad, soup, chicken, and toast.
• Further Explanation with a Quotation: The words Ivan spoke were
very kind: "Mary, I made this dinner especially for you, dear."
• Colon Used with Ratios, Titles and Subtitles of Books, City and
Publisher in Bibliographies, Hours and Minutes
• Ratio: Mary's ratio of carbohydrate intake to protein was 3:1.
• Titles and Subtitles: Mary enjoys reading the book Tastebud Heaven:
Homemade Meals for the Distinguished Palette.
• City and Publisher in Bibliography: New York: Norton, 1999
• Hours and Minutes: Mary ate dinner at 9:12.
  
Quotation Marks
• Quotation Marks Used to Show Direct (Exact) Quotations
• Ivan said, "Mary ate dinner at 9:12."
• Quotation Marks Used to Call Attention to Words
• Example 1: The words "spatula" and "mixer" are two of Ivan's favorite
words.
Example 2: Mary enjoys the way in which the word "spaghetti" rolls
off the tongue.
• Quotation Marks Used with Titles of the Following: Poetry,
Newspaper or Magazine Articles, Songs, Short Stories, Chapters in
Books, and Episodes of Radio or Television Programs
• Poem: Mary's favorite poem is "Full Stomachs, Formal Decisions" by
Chef Pauline Grater.
• Songs: "I Hear that Kettle A Whistlin" is one of Ivan's ten favorite
songs. 
INCORRECT USES OF THE COMMA
• MISTAKE #1: 
• I didn't like Mary's dinner, but, I ate it.
Don't put commas after "but" "or" "and"!
• Mistake #2:   
• Ivan loved Mary's dinner, I hated it.
Don't join two complete (a subject and verb on both sides of the
punctuation mark)sentences  together with only a comma.  Use ,and
or a ; or make two separate sentences: Ivan loved Mary's dinner.  I
hated it.
• Mistake # 3:
• Mary ate dinner, and also ate dessert.
Don't put commas with words like "and" or "but" if the second
sentence lacks a subject.
• Mistake # 4:
• Mary eats foods such as, chicken, salad, and toast.
Don't put commas after the word "like" or phrases like "such as."
• Mistake # 5:
• Ivan used to say, that he learned to cook before he learned to walk.
Don't use commas to indicate indirect quotations, often beginning
with "that" or "which."
• Mistake # 6:
• "Do you like your dinner?," Ivan asked.
Don't use commas after quotation marks or exclamation points in
direct quotations.  In any event, never use more than two punctuation
marks in one spot!
INCORRECT USES OF
THE SEMICOLON
• Mistake # 1:
• Mary's dinner consisted of the following; salad, soup, chicken, and
toast.
Don't use semicolons before a list of three or more items; the
appropriate mark is a colon.
• Mistake # 2:
• Mary ate dinner; but she didn't eat dessert.
Don't use semicolons with words like "and" and "but" that join two
complete sentences together; the appropriate mark is a comma.
INCORRECT USES OF THE COLON

• Mistake # 1:
• Ivan's kitchen utensil set is made up of: thirty knives, four large spoons,
eight spatulas, and three pairs of tongs.
Don't use colons after words like "of," which is a preposition that begins a
prepositional phrase with multiple objects.  The colon would separate the
preposition from its objects.
• Mistake # 2:
• Mary's ideal dinner contains: chicken, salad, soup, and toast.
Don't use colons after verbs that come before a list of items.  If you use a
phrase like "the following" then the colon is appropriate, as in "contains the
following:"
INCORRECT USE OF QUOTATION
MARKS
• Mistake #1
• Ivan used to say that "he learned to cook before he learned to walk."
Don't use quotation marks to indicate indirect quotations, in this case
a description of what Ivan said rather than his actual words. 
Quotation marks are reserved for actual words said or written.
anyaprokash marked the 68th birth anniversary of eminent academic
critic novelist and short story writer syed manzoorul islam with the
launch of his latest short story collection koylatala o anyanya golpo at
the sufia kamal auditorium of the bangladesh national museum on
january 18 
Anyaprokash marked the 68th birth anniversary of eminent academic,
critic, novelist, and short story writer Syed Manzoorul Islam with the
launch of his latest short story collection Koylatala O Anyanya Golpo at
the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum on
January 18. 
a welcome speech was given by aynaprokashs chief executive mazharul
islam while national professor anisuzzaman presided over the book
launch novelist and kaler kontho editor imdadul haq milon bangla
academy director general habibullah siraji essayist-researcher mofidul
hoque and rabindra university vice chancellor prof biswajit ghosh
among others took part as discussants at the event 
• A welcome speech was given by Aynaprokash’s chief executive,
Mazharul Islam, while National Professor Anisuzzaman presided over
the book launch. Novelist and Kaler Kontho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon,
Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji, essayist-
researcher Mofidul Hoque and Rabindra University Vice Chancellor
Prof Biswajit Ghosh, among others, took part as discussants at the
event. 
koylatala o anyanya golpo consists of ten stories with themes as
diverse as the liberation war rural and urban lifestyles and the
complexities of human relationships 
imdadul haq talking about the book called syed manzoorul islam the
greatest story-writer of our time and once you get inside his stories its
impossible to come out of it 
Koylatala O Anyanya Golpo consists of ten stories, with themes as
diverse as the Liberation War, rural and urban lifestyles, and the
complexities of human relationships. 
Imdadul Haq, talking about the book, called Syed Manzoorul Islam “the
greatest story-writer of our time,” and “once you get inside his stories,
it’s impossible to come out of it.” 
biswajit ghosh congratulated islam by saying that his principal specialty
is that he can tell stories in a simple succinct manner 
prof anisuzzaman remarked about the surreal nature of manzoorul
islams works he says a certain form of fear of grief or terror and
gruesomeness compliments his works
the author talked about how he writes in the spoken language of
bangladesh and that behind every story he writes there is a realism
present  
Biswajit Ghosh congratulated Islam by saying that his principal specialty
is that he can tell stories in a simple, succinct manner. 
Prof Anisuzzaman remarked about the surreal nature of Manzoorul
Islam’s works. He says, “A certain form of fear of grief or terror, and
gruesomeness compliments his works.” 
The author talked about how he writes in the spoken language of
Bangladesh, and that behind every story he writes “there is a realism
present.”  
syed manzoorul islam is the author of several short story collections
and novels such as shrestho golpo (1994) prem o prarthonar
golpo (2005) adhakhana manush (2006) kanagalir manushera (2009)
bela obelar galpo (2012) among considerable others his stories in
english is collected in the collection the mermans prayer and other
stories (2013)
• Syed Manzoorul Islam is the author of several short story collections
and novels such as Shrestho Golpo (1994), Prem O Prarthonar
Golpo (2005), Adhakhana Manush (2006), Kanagalir
Manushera (2009), Bela Obelar Galpo (2012), among considerable
others. His stories in English is collected in the collection The
Merman’s Prayer and Other Stories (2013).