Capitalisation: When to Use Big Letters in English

Capital letters are big letters that we use at the beginning of sentences. When you use capital letters correctly, it’s easier for people to understand your writing. It also makes your writing look professional.   

Let’s look at some of the basic rules for English capitalisation.  

In English, we always use a capital letter to start a new sentence. 

Example:  

✓ He usually starts work at 9 o’clock. 

× he usually starts work at 9 o’clock. 

We always use capitals for the first letter of a proper noun. A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place or thing. Some examples of proper nouns are the names of people, countries and companies. 

✓ Taylor Swift ✓ Bill Gates ✓ Australia ✓ Tower Bridge ✓ Vodafone   

× taylor swift × bill gates × australia  × tower bridge × vodafone   

Sometimes brands or product names don’t follow these rules. For example, iPhone uses a small i and then a capital P. 

We always use a capital letter for the first letter of a language or a nationality. 

✓ He speaks Arabic. 

× He speaks arabic. 

✓ She’s Australian. 

× She’s australian. 

We also use capital letters when we describe people or things from a country, region or city. 

✓ I love Chinese food. 

× I love chinese food.  

✓ Many New Yorkers take the subway to work. 

× Many new yorkers take the subway to work. 

In formal situations, we often use a title before someone’s surname. Titles are always capitalised in English. 

✓ Mr. Gates  ✓ Ms. Swift   ✓ Mrs. Williams ✓ Dr. Murphy 

× mr. Gates  × ms. Swift   × mrs. Williams  ×  dr. Murphy 

We always capitalise months and days of the week. 

✓ See you on Wednesday. 

× See you on wednesday. 

✓ She’s going to Canada in March. 

× She’s going to Canada in march.  

We also use capital letters for special celebrations or holidays. 

✓ Christmas    Mother’s Day     Labour Day   

× christmas     mother’s day     labour day 

Seasons are not capitalised in English: spring, summer, autumn and winter. 

In English, we always capitalise the letter ‘i’ when we use it as a pronoun to write about ourselves.  

For example: 

✓ Sam and I play tennis on Saturdays. 

× Sam and i play tennis on Saturdays. 

✓ Should I bring anything? 

× Should i bring anything? 

Do you feel more confident about using capital letters in English now? Test yourself by taking our capitalisation rules quiz below and see how much you remember! 

Capitalisation quiz 

Find and correct ONE mistake in each sentence. 

1. Is your birthday in september? 

2. Can i help you? 

3. I have an appointment with dr. Anderson. 

4. I’m learning japanese. 

5. where do you live? 

6. Hi, I’m maria. 

7. We had dinner at an indian restaurant.  

8. The nile is the longest river in the world. 

9. What are you doing for christmas? 

10. He works for samsung.  

Answers 

1. Is your birthday in September? 

2. Can I help you? 

3. I have an appointment with Dr. Anderson. 

4. I’m learning Japanese. 

5. Where do you live? 

6. Hi, I’m Maria. 

7. We had dinner at an Indian restaurant.  

8. The Nile is the longest river in the world. 

9. What are you doing for Christmas? 

10. He works for Samsung. 

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