When is it appropriate to capitalize?

Have you ever wondered how to refer to Kate Middleton ever since she married Prince William? Do you call her the duchess or use her full title, Duchess of Cambridge? Have you also wondered which of these words should be capitalized and how to know when you should use capitals or lowercase? Below are a few general rules that will help you to identify when you need to capitalize.

Capitalize…

1. All proper names
Example: David Turnbull

2. Names of departments and agencies of national and provincial departments
Example: Ministry of Transportation or Health Canada Example: parks department

3. Trade names
Example: “He lived for a year on Big Macs and Timbits.”

4. Names of associations
Example: the Canadian Public Relations Society

5. Names of companies
Example: Seneca College

6. Name of clubs
Example: The Rotary Club of Toronto

7. Names of religions
Example: Church of Scientology Example: Scientology churches

8. Names of languages
Example: Broken Slavey

9. Name of races
Example: First Nations

10. Name of places
Example: Toronto

11. Addresses
Example: 123 Yonge Street

These are the main concepts and examples that will help you identify when to capitalize and when to use lowercase. When in doubt remember the eleven general rules of capitalization. When using titles of nobility or religion to refer to an individual instead of using their name. Capitalize, for example: Duchess of Cambridge. When using the short form, use lowercase such as duchess. When in doubt check your Canadian Press Stylebook.