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Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

187 articles. Page 11 of 19

Are Ages, Eras, and Historical Time Periods Capitalized?Are Ages, Eras, and Time Periods Capitalized?

Capitalize specific time periods (Middle Ages), but lowercase descriptive terms (medieval times). Also capitalize proper names (Victorian era) and geological time periods (the Jurassic).

The 1990s Was or Were: Are Decades and Centuries Singular or Plural?The ’90s Was or Were?

Names of decades and centuries (the 1800s, the 1970s, the eighties, the ’90s) are generally considered plural but can also be used with singular verbs.

How to Write the Century: 1800s, 19th Century, or Nineteenth Century?Centuries

Centuries are written in either numerals or words (“the 1800s,” “the 19th century,” or “the nineteenth century”). No apostrophe is necessary before the “s” in “1800s.”

How to Write the Decade: the nineties, 1990s, or ’90s?Decades

Decades may be written in numerals or words (“the 1990s” or “the nineties”), though numerals are preferred in formal texts. In informal usage, an apostrophe may be used to abbreviate the name of a decade.

Serial or Oxford Comma – That Comma before “And” in a ListSerial or Oxford Comma

The serial comma is used before the conjunction (“and,” “or”) that marks the final item in a series. Using it is optional, but it can sometimes affect the meaning of a sentence.

Director, Manager, Chef: Are Job Titles Capitalized?Are Job Titles Capitalized?

Avoid capitalizing corporate job titles when used descriptively or as common nouns. Capitalize them when used as part of a name or to address a person.

Professor, Principal, Dean: Are Faculty Titles Capitalized?Are Professor and Principal Capitalized?

Capitalize words like “professor” and “principal” as titles before a name, but not when used descriptively after a name or as common nouns.

King, Queen, Prince, Duke: Are Royal Titles Capitalized?Are Royal Titles Capitalized?

Capitalize words like “king,” “prince,” “duke,” and “duchess” when used in titles or before a name (“King Charles III, son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh”). References to a specific person may also be capitalized (“the King”).

Pope, Reverend, Rabbi: Are Religious Titles Capitalized?Are Religious Titles Like Pope Capitalized?

Words like “pope,” “bishop,” “rabbi,” “reverend,” and “father” are capitalized as religious titles before a name but lowercased as common nouns.

Mom, Dad, Uncle, Aunt: Are Kinship Titles Capitalized?Are Mom and Dad Capitalized?

Capitalize kinship titles (mom, dad, uncle, grandma, etc.) when using them as names (“Hi, Mom”), but lowercase them as common nouns (“your mom”).

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