Lana Oconnell
When writing, it's important to know when to capitalize words. There are many rules to remember, including when to capitalize common and proper nouns. For example, when writing about a university student, you may wonder if university should be capitalized. This depends on the context. If you are referring to a specific university, like Western Michigan University, then university is capitalized as part of the proper noun. However, if you are referring to university in a general sense, it is usually not capitalized unless it begins a sentence or appears in a title. The same rules apply to college. It's worth noting that different style guides may have varying recommendations for capitalization, so it's always good to check the specific guidelines you are following.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University as a common noun | Not capitalized unless it begins a sentence or appears in a title |
| University as a proper noun | Capitalized when referring to a specific university |
| University as part of an address | Capitalized |
| University in academic writing | Capitalize "University Professor" and "Distinguished Professor" |
| University in brand names | Capitalize when part of a brand name, e.g., My.IllinoisState.edu |
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What You'll Learn
- University is a proper noun when referring to a specific place
- Capitalize the full, official names of colleges, schools, departments, etc
- Common nouns are capitalized when they begin a sentence or appear in a title
- Capitalize academic degrees when using their full name
- Style guides may vary on the capitalization of common nouns
University is a proper noun when referring to a specific place
When writing, it is important to distinguish between common and proper nouns. A common noun refers to an item in a class or group that has not been identified as a specific person, place, or thing. For example, "the dog swam in the river". In this sentence, neither the dog nor the river has been specified, so they are common nouns. On the other hand, a proper noun refers to a specific named person, place, or thing. For instance, "Charlie swam in the Mississippi River". Here, "Mississippi River" is a proper noun as it is a specific named river.
The word "university" can be a common or proper noun depending on the context. When referring to a specific university, such as "Harvard University" or "Dartmouth College", the word becomes a proper noun and should be capitalized. However, when used in a general sense without specifying a particular place, such as "She wants to go to university next year", it is considered a common noun and should not be capitalized.
It is worth noting that some style guides and institutions may have their own conventions for capitalization. For instance, the University of Colorado Boulder specifies that "university" should only be capitalized when using the complete proper name of the university. Similarly, Western Michigan University states that "university" should only be capitalized when referring exclusively to Western Michigan University.
In addition, when "university" is preceded by "the" as a definite article, it is generally capitalized. For example, "She is a student at the University". However, when used without "the", it is often lowercase.
When referring to a specific university center, college, school, department, division, office, or unit within an institution, it is common to capitalize the full and proper names. For instance, "He works in the Office of Admissions". However, when referenced without their specific titles, these entities are often not capitalized on the second reference, such as "The college will soon need a larger building".
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Capitalize the full, official names of colleges, schools, departments, etc
When writing, it is essential to distinguish between common and proper nouns. A common noun refers to an item in a class or group that has not been identified as a specific person, place, or thing. For example, "dog" and "river" in the sentence, "The dog swam in the river". On the other hand, a proper noun refers to a specific named person, place, or thing, such as "Charlie" and "Mississippi River" in "Charlie swam in the Mississippi River".
While common nouns are only capitalized when they begin a sentence or appear in a title, proper nouns are always capitalized. When referring to a university or college in general, without specifying a particular place, they are considered common nouns and should not be capitalized. For instance, "She wants to go to university next year" and "He wants to study medicine at college".
However, when referring to a specific university or college by name, they become proper nouns and should be capitalized. For example, "She wants to go to Harvard University next year" and "He wants to study medicine at Dartmouth College". This rule also extends to schools, departments, divisions, and offices within a university. Only capitalize the full and proper names of these entities, such as the "Department of Biology" or the "School of Dental Medicine". When referring to them in a general or informal context, they are not capitalized.
Additionally, when using "university" in a sentence, it is capitalized only when it is part of the official and complete name of the institution, such as "the University of Colorado Boulder". If you are referring to a specific university but not using its full, official name, "university" is typically not capitalized. For example, "He is a student at the University of Michigan" versus "He is a student at the university".
It is worth noting that different style guides may have varying conventions for capitalization. Some style manuals may discourage capitalizing common nouns as part of an institution's name, while others allow it. When in doubt, refer to the specific guidelines provided by the institution or publication you are writing for.
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Common nouns are capitalized when they begin a sentence or appear in a title
When writing, it is important to distinguish between common and proper nouns to ensure correct capitalisation. A common noun refers to an item in a class or group that has not been identified as a specific person, place, or thing. For example, "dog" and "river" in the sentence, "The dog swam in the river". On the other hand, a proper noun refers to a specific named person, place, or thing, such as "Charlie" and "Mississippi River" in the sentence, "Charlie swam in the Mississippi River".
Common nouns are only capitalized when they begin a sentence or appear in a title. For example, "University" and "College" are capitalized in the sentence, "She is going to university next year and her brother is going to college". Here, "university" and "college" are not used to refer to specific places and could refer to any university or college, so they are common nouns and are capitalized because they begin the sentence.
However, when "university" and "college" are used to refer to specific places, they become proper nouns and are always capitalized. For example, "She is going to Harvard University next year and her brother is going to Dartmouth College". In this sentence, "Harvard University" and "Dartmouth College" are specific named places, so they are proper nouns and are capitalized.
It is worth noting that some style guides may vary in their capitalisation rules. For example, some institutions may capitalise common nouns when they are part of the institution's name, such as "the University will create a task force". Additionally, when "university" is preceded by "the" as a definite article, it is often capitalized, such as in "She is going to the University next year".
In summary, when writing about "university" and "college", it is important to consider whether they are being used as common or proper nouns and to apply the appropriate capitalisation rules.
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Capitalize academic degrees when using their full name
When writing about academic degrees, it is important to distinguish between generic references and specific degree names. This distinction determines whether to capitalise the degree or not.
Firstly, the names of academic degrees are not capitalised when expressed in general terms. For example, "bachelor's degree" or "master's degree" are written in lowercase. This is because they are common nouns and are only capitalised when they begin a sentence or appear in a title.
However, when referring to a specific, formal degree, all parts of the degree name are capitalised. For example, "Bachelor of Science" or "Master of Business Administration". This is because they are now proper nouns and are treated as such. The same rule applies to Latin honours, which are written in lowercase, e.g. "Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude".
The major, field of study, minor, or emphasis is written in lowercase unless it is a proper noun. For example, "Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics".
It is worth noting that style guides may vary, and some institutions may have their own preferences. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), for instance, recommends lowercase for all degree names, while the Associated Press Stylebook (AP) recommends capitalising specific degrees. When in doubt, pick a style guide and be consistent.
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Style guides may vary on the capitalization of common nouns
The capitalization of common nouns can vary depending on the style guide being used. While there are broad rules that govern the use of capitalization, different style guides may offer specific rules and exceptions.
A common noun refers to an item in a class or group that has not been identified as a specific person, place, or thing. For example, "dog" and "river" in the sentence, "The dog swam in the river." In this instance, neither the dog nor the river has been specified, so they are common nouns. On the other hand, a proper noun refers to a specific named person, place, or thing. For example, "Charlie swam in the Mississippi River." Here, "Mississippi River" is a proper noun as it refers to a specific river.
Common nouns are generally only capitalized when they begin a sentence or appear in a title. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and the capitalization of common nouns can vary depending on the style guide being used. For example, the Microsoft Style Guide recommends using sentence-style capitalization, which means that only the first word of a sentence, heading, title, or UI label is capitalized, along with proper nouns.
When it comes to the word "university," there is some disagreement among style guides. Some sources suggest that "university" is a common noun unless it is used to refer to a specific university, in which case it becomes a proper noun and should be capitalized. For instance, in the sentence "She wants to go to Harvard University next year," "Harvard University" is a proper noun and is capitalized. However, in the sentence "She wants to go to university next year," "university" is a common noun and is not capitalized.
Other sources suggest that "university" is capitalized when preceded by "the" as a definite article, but not otherwise. Additionally, some style guides may capitalize common nouns when they are part of an institution's name, such as "the University."
In summary, while there are general rules for the capitalization of common nouns, it is important to refer to specific style guides for any variations or exceptions.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the context. "University" is a common noun and only needs to be capitalized when it is used as a proper noun, for example, when referring to a specific university such as "Harvard University". However, if you are using "university" in a general sense, it does not need to be capitalized. On the other hand, "student" is usually not capitalized as it is a common noun.
Yes, if you have already mentioned the full name of the university, it is acceptable to use "the University" with a capital "U" in subsequent references.
In this case, it is generally recommended not to capitalize "university" unless it is part of the institution's style guide to do so. Check the university's website or branding guidelines to be sure.
"Student" is typically not capitalized as it is a common noun. However, there may be specific instances where it is capitalized, such as in official titles or when used in a proper noun phrase like "Student Affairs".
Yes, it is important to note that the capitalization of related terms like college, school, department, office, and course names may vary depending on whether they are used in a general or specific context and whether they are part of a proper noun phrase. Always refer to the specific university's style guide for their preferred capitalization rules.
