Section 1
Titles of Persons
Definition
Capitalize a person’s title when the title comes before the person’s name. Capitalize a word showing a family relationship when the word is used before or in place of a person’s name, unless the word follows a possessive noun or pronoun.
Explanation
When a title like Doctor or Senator is part of someone's name, it needs a capital letter, like in Principal Skinner. But if you just say 'he is the principal,' it stays lowercase. The same rule applies to family! You would write Aunt Polly, but not my aunt Polly because the possessive word 'my' tells you not to capitalize.
Examples
- Was Doctor Smith also your professor? [The title Doctor comes before a name and must be capitalized. The word professor is used alone and is not capitalized.]
- Is your cousin Leo visiting this summer? [The word cousin is not capitalized because the possessive word your comes before it.]
- Please ask Grandma to read the story. [Grandma is used instead of a person's name and should be capitalized.]