Some nouns are names: the name of one special person or pet. Names begin with a capital letter, just like the word I.
Key idea
Names of people and pets begin with capital letters: Sam, Grandma Rose, Dr. Bell, Biscuit.
Why it works
A capital letter tells the reader “this is someone’s own name.” There are many dogs, but only one Biscuit. The capital marks the special one.
Worked example: Two-word names
“We visited aunt rosa.”
- Aunt Rosa is the name of one special person.
- Each part of the name gets a capital.
Answer: “We visited Aunt Rosa.”
Worked example: Grandma as a name
“Thank you, grandma!” and “I baked with my grandma.”
- In the first one, you are talking to her. Grandma is used as her name: Grandma.
- In the second, my tells whose grandma. It is not used as a name, so it stays small.
Answer: “Thank you, Grandma!” and “I baked with my grandma.”
Common mistake
Capitalizing every noun (Dog, Ball) or forgetting the capital on a pet’s name. Only names get capitals. A quick test: could you put a name like Rosa in its place? Then it is used as a name.
For the grown-up. Titles before a name, like Dr., Mr., Mrs. and Ms., begin with capitals too. Your child’s own name is the first name to get right; check it on every page.