As a proofreader, error in CAPITALIZATION is one thing my eyes are usually quick to capture.
I know some people defend laziness to learn by saying English is not their mother tongue, but CAPITALIZATION is not even the kind of mistake you should make in other languages.
Now, what is CAPITALIZATION? It means using uppercase (A-Z) correctly in writing.
The first step to being a pro at CAPITALIZATION is knowing the difference between uppercase (A-Z) and lowercase (a-z). So, if you want to write “English”, but end up writing “EngLiSh”, we might have to enroll you into adult education school.
For clearer context, I’ll type out uppercase (capital letters) here👇🏽.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
That brings us to the question; WHEN DO YOU CAPITALIZE?
- First letter of the first word in a sentence
E.g:
My father travelled to London last week. ✓
my father travelled to London last week. × - Personal Pronoun “I” : Irrespective of where “I” appears in a sentence, it’s compulsory you capitalize it. So, when next you refer to yourself as “i”, that’s you giving me the permission to refer to you as a thing. Clock it?
- Proper Nouns: Names of people, places or brands.
You want to write your name and you decided to begin with lowercase (small letter)? You just downgraded yourself, my dear. Common! You’re bigger than that pen you’re writing with.
Same with name of places and brand — irrespective of the language you’re writing in.
E.g:
Adedayo ✓ adedayo×
chika × Chika ✓
mustapha × Mustapha ✓
Abuja ✓ abuja ×
ghana × Ghana ✓
Mirinda ✓ mirinda × - Acronyms: Not capitalizing acronym is just like you writing out a word. So, it’s important — capitalize it!
E.g:
INEC ✓ inec ×
UNICEF ✓ unicef × - Specific Events or Dates
E.g:
Ojude Oba ✓ ojude oba ×
new yam festival × New Yam Festival ✓
independence day × Independence Day ✓
Feel free to read more on it, CAPITALIZATION doesn’t end here.
Till I’m back to stir the drink, stay gbam!
