In the French language, we use lowercase and uppercase letters. There are strict rules for using capital letters to produce readable, coherent text.
Capital letters are not placed at random, far from it! There are many rules to follow, whatever you write.
Here are the 15 rules to know to use capital letters correctly in the French language.
1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence
It’s a basic rule but still worth recalling. A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period. However, note that a capital letter is not used after a semicolon.
You must use a capital after a period question mark but also after an exclamation point. An exception exists in the case of an interjection.
2. Capitalize proper names
Just like the capital at the start of a sentence, capitalizing proper names is a rule known to everyone, including schoolchildren. Given names, family names and even nicknames take a capital letter.
Note that adjectives used as nicknames must also be capitalized. The example that perfectly illustrates this point is: Alexander the Great.
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3. Capitalize a common noun when used as a proper name
If a common noun is used as a proper noun, a capital letter is required.
We know many examples: the color bordeaux, a good bordeaux (wine), the city of Bordeaux, juicy oranges, the city of Orange…
4. Capitalize titles and subtitles
When you write your content, you add headings and even subheadings to break up the text, introduce ideas and guide readers.
These headings and subheadings all capitalize the first word.
5. Capitalize a title or a function
Some titles and certain offices take a capital letter.
This is the case for Majesty or President, when referring to the President of the Republic. A capital letter can also be added to terms that denote an office.
For example, the Minister of the Environment.
6. Capitalize geographic names
When referring to a city or country, a capital letter is required. In some cases, a geographical name is combined with an adjective; the adjective may be capitalized.
This is the case for the Southwest, Asia Minor, or the Far North.
The various elements that make up the solar system are capitalized. This applies to planets, stars, constellations...
7. Capitalize organization names
Organization names do not all take a capital. However, when it is a Department or a Secretariat, a capital is required. If an organization is unique, it should be capitalized.
For example: Académie française, Bibliothèque nationale...
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8. Capitalize to convey meaning
A capital may be used to give meaning to a proper name. We must capitalize the names of peoples or the inhabitants of a city or region.
For example: the Normans, the Bretons, the French, the Parisians...
9. Capitalize initialisms and acronyms
Capital letters are required for initialisms and acronyms. In these very particular cases, several capitals appear together, like WHO, World Health Organization.
By contrast, religious groups are not capitalized, so one writes christian and muslim.
10. Capitalize holidays
The names of the days and months of the year are not capitalized. However, certain feasts or calendar events may be capitalized.
This is the case for Holy Week, Christmas, Easter...
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11. Capitalize historical events
Terms that denote different periods of history take a capital letter. This is the case for the Renaissance or Antiquity.
Just like the major periods of history, historical events can take a capital letter, such as the Revolution, the First World War, or the Liberation.
12. Capitalize religious terms
Most religious terms take a capital letter. Here are some examples: God, Jesus, Buddha… Exceptions exist; "the Church" is capitalized when it refers to the institution.
The building, however, is not: a church.
13. Capitalize as a courtesy
Capital letters can be used for to express politenessAt the end of a written exchange, you may find a polite closing that begins with a capital letter, such as:
Please accept, Sir/Madam, my sincere regards.
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14. Names of disciplines, academic or artistic subjects
Although it can sometimes be tempting to capitalize them, you should not. Thus, you would write that a student studies philosophy and biology.
The same goes for foreign languages or sports. He studies English and plays football.
15. Brand names
Finally, a slightly more complex case: brand names. By default, a brand name should be written with a capital letter, like Peugeot, Nike, Microsoft, or Apple.
But when you use the brand name to refer to the product itself, you should not capitalize it. He drives a peugeot and wears a pair of nike.
You likely knew some of these rules, perhaps all of them. However, a brief reminder is always helpful. Don’t hesitate to check whether a capital letter is necessary if you’re in doubt!
And if you need content with capitalization perfectly placed, you can turn to the professionals at Redacteur.com.
The article The 15 rules to know for using capital letters first appeared on Redacteur.com.
