Capitalization

Which nouns must be capitalized?

• Common nouns

• Proper nouns

What are proper nouns?

• General (non-specific) people, places, or things

• Specific people, places, or things

• A word that modifies a noun

• An action word

Which are examples of proper nouns?

• shark; aquarium; fish

• fierce; predatory; aquatic

• Monterey Bay Aquarium; Pacific Ocean

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

Lemoore high school has nearly 2000 students.

• students

• high school

• nearly

Answer explanation

Both high and school need to be capitalized, because they are part of the school's full name. Names of specific places are proper nouns.

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

She speaks three languages: spanish, french, and english.

• spanish; french; english

• three

• languages

Answer explanation

Nationalities and languages should always capitalized.

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

i hate having to take out the trash every evening.

• I

• trash

• evening

Answer explanation

Always capitalize the first word of a sentence. Also, the pronoun "I" should always be capitalized.

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

The american flag is at half-staff today to honor the late governor.

• american

• flag

• governor

Answer explanation

American should be capitalized because it is a proper noun. Governor would only be capitalized if it was paired with someone's name as a title. For example:

"The American flag was at half-staff today in honor of Governor Smith."

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

I plan to meet the president at the white house.

• president

• white house

• meet

Answer explanation

Both white and house should be capitalized, in this case, since they are referring to a specific building. It's not just any old house painted white. It is the White House, where presidents historically reside.

President does not need to be capitalized, in this case, because it is not paired with a name as a title, like President Biden.

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

I love mexican food.

• mexican

• food

• mexican food

Answer explanation

Always capitalize nationalities, even if they are used as adjectives instead of nouns.

Food does not need to be capitalized, even if described by a nationality.

Which word(s) should be capitalized in the sentence below?

I can't wait to visit sequoia national park once the snow thaws!

• sequoia

• national

• park

• sequoia national park

Answer explanation

Capitalize every word in the full name of a specific place.