Description

are subjects capitalized in english ?

### Are Subjects Capitalized in English?

#### Introduction

When writing, it’s crucial to adhere to correct capitalization rules, especially when it comes to the names of school subjects. However, many of us often find ourselves unsure whether subjects such as math, science, or history should be capitalized. Let’s explore when you need to capitalize school subjects in English.

#### General vs. Proper Nouns

Understanding the difference between general and proper nouns is key to knowing when to capitalize a school subject.

– **Common nouns** are general terms like math, science, and English (when referring to the subject rather than the language).

– **Proper nouns** are specific names, such as French (the language), Algebra 1 (a specific class), or U.S. History to the Civil War (a specific course).

Here are some guidelines based on the various sources I’ve consulted:

#### When to Capitalize Subjects

1. **As the First Word in a Sentence**

As a general rule in English, you should capitalize the first word of a sentence, regardless of what the subject is. For example:

– “Math is an essential subject.”
– “Algebra 1 was challenging.”

2. **Names of Languages**

Subjects that are also names of languages are treated as proper nouns and thus should be capitalized. Examples include:

– “I am learning French.”
– “German is my second language.”

3. **Specific Course or Class Names**

When referring to a specific class or course, capitalization is necessary. This includes:

– “I attended Calculus 101 today.”
– “We are studying U.S. History to the Civil War this semester.”

4. **Abbreviations**

Capitalization is also required for abbreviated forms, such as IT for Information Technology:

– “My degree focuses on IT.”

5. **Departments or Specific Titles**

If the subject is part of a department name or a specific official course name, it should be capitalized:

– “The Physics Department conducts many experiments.”
– “She is enrolled in Advanced Data Structures.”

#### When Not to Capitalize Subjects

– **General References**

When referring to a subject in a general sense, it should not be capitalized:

– “Science plays a vital role in our daily lives.”
– “Math forms the basis of many fields.”

– **General Course Names**

Unless a general course name includes a specific title or number, it doesn’t need to be capitalized:

– “He is taking history.”
– “She enjoys learning about science.”

#### Conclusion

To summarize, the capitalization of school subjects in English often hinges on whether they are being used as general terms or specific names. Language names and specific course titles generally require capitalization, whereas general subjects can go without it. Always refer back to these rules to ensure the correctness of your writing.

#### Useful Links

Here are some helpful links for further reading:

1. [When to Capitalize School Subjects | Britannica Dictionary](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/When-to-Capitalize-School-Subjects)
2. [Capitalization and School Subjects – Patrick Carpen](https://patrickcarpen.com/english/grammar-punctuation-and-mechanics/capitalization/capitalization-and-school-subjects)
3. [Capitalization Rules: Writing About Academic Subjects – Proofed](https://proofed.com/writing-tips/capitalization-rules-writing-about-academic-subjects)
4. [Are School Subjects Proper Nouns or Common Nouns When to Capitalize? | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/Are-school-subjects-proper-nouns-or-common-nouns-when-to-capitalize)
5. [English Capitalization Rules, With Examples | Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com/blog/capitalization-rules)
6. [English Capitalization Rules (When to Capitalize, When Not To + Style) – GrammarBrain](https://grammarbrain.com/capitalization-rules)
7. [Capitalization of Academic Degrees – The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation](https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/capitalization/capitalization-of-academic-degrees)
8. [Capitalization Rules and Examples – GrammarBook.com](https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp)
9. [Subjects – Grammar – Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/subjects)
10. [English Grammar 101 – Capitalization, Lesson 6: Names in School](https://www.englishgrammar101.com/module-11/capitalization/lesson-6/names-in-school)

Feel free to refer to these resources for more in-depth guidance on grammar and punctuation. With these rules in mind, your writing will be clearer and more professional.