Improve your capitalization with our guide on proper and common nouns.
Capitalization is one of the most persistent errors seen in writing. Granted, capitalization is tricky. In one instance, a word should be capitalized, while in another instance, that same word shouldn’t be capitalized. There are various rules to capitalization, but this tip will focus on when to capitalize words based on whether they are common or proper nouns.
First, what is the difference between proper and common nouns? Proper nouns are specific people, places, and things. Common nouns are also people, places, and things but used generally.
Let’s look at some examples:
PEOPLE
PROPER NOUNS | COMMON NOUNS |
Taylor Swift | singer |
Abraham Lincoln | president |
Lucy and Grace | girls |
PLACES
PROPER NOUNS | COMMON NOUNS |
|---|---|
San Francisco | city |
State Library of Oregon | library |
Riverside Pool | pool |
THINGS
PROPER NOUNS | COMMON NOUNS |
|---|---|
Great Wall of China | wall |
War of the Cards | book |
Boeing 787 Dreamliner | plane |
Let’s practice. Which of the following words are common and which are proper?
OWL
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
LYLA
BASEBALL
LORD OF THE RINGS
RINGTONE
BON JOVI
DANCE HALL
DISCUSSION
PLUMBER
MISSOULA
SIMONE BILES
Here are the answers:
PROPER NOUNS | COMMON NOUNS |
|---|---|
Monterey Bay Aquarium | owl |
Lyla | baseball |
Lord of the Rings | ringtone |
Bon Jovi | dance hall |
Missoula | discussion |
Simone Biles | plumber |
The words in the common column are general nouns, while the words in the proper column are specific nouns. Note that proper nouns are capitalized, while common nouns are kept lowercase (unless they begin a sentence). Seems simple enough, right? Well . . . it can get tricky. Let’s look at some examples in which it can be difficult to determine whether a noun is proper or common. (Note: The following rules are from the Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition. If you are using a different style guide, these rules may differ.)
1. Family Relationships
It’s easy to confuse when to capitalize terms like mom, dad, aunt, and uncle. To clear up that confusion, here are how the common and proper noun rules apply in different instances.
If the relationship term is used as part of a name, this means it’s being used specifically, making it part of a proper noun, so we capitalize it. There are some nuances here we should note:
Normally, dad, mom, sister, and brother are not used as part of a name. Meaning, you don’t commonly refer to your brother Nathan as Brother Nathan, just Nathan. So brother wouldn’t be capitalized if it were next to your brother's name (i.e., my brother Nathan, not my Brother Nathan). The exception to this would be in religious contexts. For example, in many religions, people refer to each other as Brother Jenkins or Sister Maria.
On the other hand, Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, and Grandpa are often part of names. Meaning, it is common to refer to your aunt as Aunt Vivian, not just Vivian. So, aunt in these instances would be capitalized.
I’m going to call Aunt Fiona.
I think Grandma Lucinda will knit me a pair of socks for Christmas.
What do you think, Uncle Rob?
Did you see the tie Brother Higgins wore to church on Sunday?
As the lights dimmed, Sister Ethel walked quietly down the pews.
Look over here, Grandpa Cliff, I want to show you something.
His Uncle Silas invited us to the party.
We always know Cousin Frankie will show up.
Family relationships are also capitalized if they are being used in the place of a person’s name.
Alfie is the most clever, but Dad has the best jokes.
According to the research, Grandpa’s name was Donald.
Hey, Mom, can you take me to practice tomorrow?
I would argue that Auntie makes the best cinnamon rolls.
You’re going to have to talk to Sister about that.
You have the same dress as Grandma.
If the relationship term is not part of a name and cannot be replaced with a name, it’s being used generically and stays lowercase.
My brother is the most clever, but my dad has the best jokes.
According to the research, my grandpa’s name was Donald.
Her mom can take her to practice tomorrow.
I would argue that his aunt makes the best cinnamon rolls.
You’re going to have to talk to your sister about that.
Look over here; your grandpa wants to show us something.
My uncle invited us to the party.
You have the same dress as my grandma.
We always know your cousin will show up.
Her aunt, Kelly England, agreed to drive us to the game.
My brother Jack and sister Macy are both older than me.
The dads like to barbecue together.
2. Professions/ Titles
It’s common to want to capitalize professions and their titles because we tend to emphasize what we believe to be important in a sentence. And of course jobs are important. They make the world go round. But their titles aren’t always capitalized. Similar rules apply to job titles as to family relationships—if it is part of a name or can replace a name, it’s a proper noun and should be capitalized.
But, you guessed it, there’s a nuance to this rule too: Titles as part of a name are only capitalized if they are formal titles, like president, coach, and queen. Generic titles that describe a person’s role, like teacher, philosopher, and editor, are not capitalized. In some instances it can be difficult to discern whether a title is formal or generic, so make sure to consult your style guide.
Let’s look at some example sentences:
I think PROFESSOR Alvarez is the smartest person I have met.
Professor is a formal title used as a part of the name, so we would capitalize it.
I think Professor Alvarez is the smartest person I have met.
Here’s another sentence:
Taking off her stethoscope, the DOCTOR made the diagnosis.
Doctor is not replacing a name in this sentence, so doctor is a common noun here and shouldn’t be capitalized.
Taking off her stethoscope, the doctor made the diagnosis.
Here are examples of when a job title takes the place of a name and should be capitalized:
Excuse me, Judge, could you sign these certificates?
Hello, Senator, your speech was inspiring.
Try out a few sentences on your own:
The newest member of our council is KING Aramis.
The KING is the newest member of our council.
All the NURSES came to the work party.
Everyone recommends NURSES Rodriguez, Milon, and Gordon.
As he walked into the room, the OFFICER commanded authority.
For you to clearly understand, OFFICER, let me tell you a story.
To answer that question, you’ll have to contact our DEAN, Kelly Forsythe.
The meetings held on Wednesdays are scheduled by DEAN Kelly Forsythe.
I came to hear HISTORIAN Camille Edwards speak.
I came to hear Camille Edwards, SENATOR of Rhode Island, speak.
Here are the answers:
The newest member of our council is King Aramis.
The king is the newest member of our council.
All the nurses came to the work party.
Everyone recommends Nurses Rodriguez, Milon, and Gordon.
As he walked into the room, the officer commanded authority.
For you to clearly understand, Officer, let me tell you a story.
To answer that question, you’ll have to contact our dean, Kelly Forsythe.
The meetings held on Wednesdays are scheduled by Dean Kelly Forsythe.
(Note: Some style guides do not capitalize this title.)
I came to hear historian Camille Edwards speak.
(Note: Some style guides do capitalize this title.)
I came to hear Camille Edwards, senator of Rhode Island, speak.
Now that you know the difference between common and proper nouns and have reviewed two common capitalization errors, you can take this knowledge and apply it to your own projects. Your work-in-progress will be that much cleaner for it, and your copyeditor will be impressed! We know capitalization can be nuanced, so reach out to Ever Editing at info@everediting.com with questions or to start a discussion.
The Published Examples
“There was a droopiness to his posture that sent William over to him. ‘Are you okay, Professor? Can I help you?’ The old man looked up at him.”
(Napolitano, Ann. Hello Beautiful. Random House Publishing Group, 2023.)
Professor is capitalized in this instance because it is taking the place of a name.
“One by one, the entire group knelt. Nestar. Swish. The strangers near the door. Everyone. Kneeling before me. ‘Long live Queen Maralyth!’ Swish called.”
(Boehme, Jillian. The Stolen Kingdom. Tor Publishing Group, 2021.)
Queen is capitalized because the sentence references a specific queen, making queen a proper noun. Queen is also part of a name.
“The new emperor resolved to revive Monothelitism and sent a letter to the pope outlining his beliefs.”
(Coulombe, Charles A. Vicars of Christ: A History of the Popes. Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2003.)
Emperor and pope are not capitalized in this instance because these terms are not written next to or in place of a name. Monothelitism is capitalized because it is a specific doctrine in Christianity, making it a proper noun.
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