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Capitalization

Capitalization is the rule of starting certain words with a big letter to make our writing clear and easy to understand.

A1Punctuation & Mechanics

What is Capitalization?

Capitalization is the rule of starting certain words with a big letter to make our writing clear and easy to understand.

  • We use big letters at the start of sentences to show where they begin.
  • We capitalize proper nouns, which are names of specific people, places, and organizations, to distinguish them from common nouns.

When to Use Capitalization?

  • We use capitalization to start each sentence, making it clear where one sentence ends and another begins.
  • Capitalizing proper nouns helps readers understand that they refer to specific, unique entities.
  • Capitalization is also used for titles and headings to make them stand out.

Examples of Capitalization

  • The big brown bear climbed Mount Everest.
  • The first word of every sentence, like This, is capitalized.
  • John went to London.
  • The names of countries, like Canada, are always capitalized.
  • Christmas is a holiday that starts with a capital letter.
  • The United Nations is an international organization.

Common Mistakes in Capitalization

  • Wrong: the big brown bear climbed mount everest. Correct: The big brown bear climbed Mount Everest.
  • Wrong: john went to . Correct: John went to London.
  • Wrong: the united nations is an international organization. Correct: the United Nations is an international organization.

Remembering Capitalization

One way to remember to capitalize the start of sentences is to think of it like starting a new paragraph in a book - each one begins with a big letter.

Quick check
Which of the following titles should be capitalized?

Where this matters in your exam

In IELTS, correct capitalization is crucial for getting high scores in Writing and Speaking sections, and it's also assessed in Reading comprehension. For example, in IELTS Writing Task 2, proper capitalization can help to convey a clear and well-organized idea.

  • Writing Task 2

    Use capital letters to start each sentence and proper nouns in your essays.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Identify proper nouns and sentence starters that require capitalization to improve reading skills.