GrammarPhile Blog Today we’re writing about how to hyphenate titles. The simple rule: Capitalize only the first element unless any subsequent element is a proper noun or adjective.
What words are capitalized in title case?
The rules are fairly standard for title case: Capitalize the first and the last word. Capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs (including phrasal verbs such as “play with”), adverbs, and subordinate conjunctions. Lowercase articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions (regardless of length).
When should words be capitalized?
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.
Do hyphenated words count as one word?
The reason is quite simple—the generally accepted rule is that a compound word is always treated as a single word. For instance, the compound adjective “real-time” is a different word than “real time.” So, once compound words are closed or hyphenated, they are counted as one word.
Do you capitalize both words in a hyphenated word at the beginning of a sentence?
If a hyphenated word appears at the beginning of a sentence, however, capitalize only the first part. (The second hyphenated word is not capitalized.)
Which letters should be capitalized in title?
What to capitalize in a title
- Always capitalize the first word as well as all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
- Articles, conjunctions, and prepositions should not be capitalized.
- Capitalize the first element in a hyphenated compound.
- Capitalize both elements of spelled-out numbers or simple fractions.
Which words should I capitalize?
What letters to capitalize in a title?
Only capitalize the first letter of the first word of the title and words that would be capitalized in a sentence, such as someone’s name. This style is often called “sentence style” because it’s how you write sentences.
When do I capitalize titles?
– Before a name. If you’re referring to someone with an esteemed title like Professor or Dr., you would capitalize their title if it’s in front of their name. – In your signature. When signing your name in a direct mail or email signature, capitalize your job title along with your name. – As a resume heading. As you build your resume and include your job titles in your work experience section, you should capitalize them when featured as headings. – Mentioning job titles in a cover letter. When drafting your cover letter, capitalizing the title of the role you’re applying to is optional.
When do you capitalize words?
Here’s When to Capitalize Words. There are a few specific cases where words should be capitalized. They’re easy to remember. In English, capital letters are most commonly used at the start of a sentence, for the pronoun I, and for proper nouns. You should always capitalize the first letter of the first word in a sentence, no matter what the word is.
Do I capitalize after hyphen?
Yes; that’s right. The rule is that being the second word in a hyphenated expression makes no difference to whether a word should be capitalized in a title. It would depend on the style of writing. If you were following APA you would capitalize only the first word.
