Test your skills with this fun 10-question quiz! In a world full of overcapitalization, don't be an overcapitalizer.

Recently my _______ (manager, Manager) and I had a fight about the format of a report.

manager

Manager

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Business titles aren't usually capitalized. Business documents are, however, full of overcapitalization, so please prepare for the worst.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Business titles aren't usually capitalized. Business documents are, however, full of overcapitalization, so please prepare for the worst.

Every (spring, Spring), Jacqueline likes to visit the capital.

spring

Spring

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Don't capitalize seasons. They aren't capitalized in Spanish, French, or various other languages, so English has lots of company in this.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Don't capitalize seasons. They aren't capitalized in Spanish, French, or various other languages, so English has lots of company in this.

The ________________ (Chief Financial Officer, chief financial officer) is on a flight to Rome.

Chief Financial Officer

chief financial officer

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

CFO is capitalized, but chief financial officer normally shouldn't be.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

CFO is capitalized, but chief financial officer normally shouldn't be.

How many additional words in the following sentence should be capitalized?

Last fall the Roginsons traveled around the east coast of the US.

zero

one

two

three

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Because East Coast is the name of a region, it should be capitalized. Don't capitalize "fall," though. Seasons aren't capitalized.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Because East Coast is the name of a region, it should be capitalized. Don't capitalize "fall," though. Seasons aren't capitalized.

Head _____ (South, south) on Route 32.

South

south

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Do not capitalize directions such as north, south, east, and west. Do capitalize regions—for instance, the South.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Do not capitalize directions such as north, south, east, and west. Do capitalize regions—for instance, the South.

How many additional words in this book title should be capitalized?

Around the world in eighty days

one

two

three

four

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Three: "World," "Eighty," and "Days. It should be Around the World in Eighty Days. Don't capitalize articles (e.g., "the") and short prepositions (e.g., "in"). In some capitalization styles, even long prepositions aren't capitalized. Expect some variation.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Imagine you are writing a report with section headings. Which of the following would be acceptable capitalization for one of the headings?

Red is the New Purple

Red Is the New Purple

Red Is The New Purple

Red is The New Purple

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Always capitalize verbs—don't let "is" fool you with its small size. It needs capitalizing. In addition, don't capitalize "the" unless it's the first word in the title. You may also sometimes decide you want to capitalize only the first word for report headings. This could work in certain situations:

Red is the new black

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Red is the new black

How many capital letters in the following sentence should be lowercase instead?

Bennett lived in the Midwest last Winter.

zero

one

two

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

The Midwest is a region of the US and should be capitalized. Seasons are not capitalized.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

The Midwest is a region of the US and should be capitalized. Seasons are not capitalized.

How is the capitalization in this proposal section heading?

Biographies Of The Principals

great

wrong

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

In titles and headings, small prepositions (of) and articles (the) should not be capitalized. Don't be an overcapitalizer.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

In titles and headings, small prepositions (of) and articles (the) should not be capitalized. Don't be an overcapitalizer.

How many capitalization errors are there in the following sentence?

Last thursday Arabella went to see her Doctor to discuss her Diabetes.

zero

one

two

three

Incorrect, but never fear—an explanation is here!

Thursday should be capitalized. "Doctor" and "diabetes" should not be capitalized.

That’s correct! Here’s why:

Thursday should be capitalized. "Doctor" and "diabetes" should not be capitalized.

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