1 Topic by Dirk B. (edited by Dirk B. 2019-07-07 22:39:19)

Topic: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

I've had two reviewers today tell me that constable in the following sentence should not be capitalized:

"Don't allow anyone except tenants into the building, Constable."

Isn't the rule that when directly addressing someone, even when not explicitly using their name, it should still be capitalized? I did this all over the place in my first book and no one flagged it.

Thanks
Dirk

Quote Post 1

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

Hi Norm... I believe you're seeing something I've discovered on this sit is that the US and Canada have different rules for capitalization. For example:

"Wow, Mr. President, that’s a good one"
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/18/us/p … tweet.html

in the US is probably not capitalized because he's really just "one president of many".

In Canada, it definitely is capitalized:

See:
https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tcdns … mp;info0=4
Rule #4.03f
Rule #4.08c (last example)

Quote Post 2

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

8.21 Titles used in apposition

When a title is used in apposition before a personal name—that is, not alone and as part of the name but as an equivalent to it, usually preceded by the or by a modifier—it is considered not a title but rather a descriptive phrase and is therefore lowercased.
the empress Elisabeth of Austria (but Empress Elisabeth of Austria)
German chancellor Angela Merkel (but Chancellor Merkel)
the Argentinian-born pope Francis
former president Carter
former presidents Reagan and Ford
the then secretary of state Hillary Clinton

Quote Post 3

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

I checked the Blue Book of Grammar & Punctuation (a US publication).
https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp
Rule 6a says to capitalize titles in direct address.

Quote Post 4

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

JeffM & Kdot, thanks. But I was looking for the capitalization rule for a title when used in place of a name in direct address (e.g., Sit down, Captain.) I found it in my grammar guide, noted above.

Quote Post 5

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

We're cross-posting in real time! :-)

Quote Post 6

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

Kdot wrote:

Hi Norm... I believe you're seeing something I've discovered on this sit is that the US and Canada have different rules for capitalization. For example:

"Wow, Mr. President, that’s a good one"
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/18/us/p … tweet.html

in the US is probably not capitalized because he's really just "one president of many".

In Canada, it definitely is capitalized:

Disagree. It is capitalized in every English speaking country when preceding a name (President Trump)  and when used with the honorific "Mr." in exactly the same way it is "Her Royal Highness" and not "her royal highness."  What is debated by confusing: "The President is at the White House"  with "The president of Mobil Oil Corporation is at the White House," or "The president is at the white house" as if it is any president at any house that is painted white.

Quote Post 7

8 Reply by Charles_F_Bell (edited by Charles_F_Bell 2018-11-30 10:31:08)

Re: Capitalization when directly addressing someone? - Capitalization

Charles_F_Bell wrote:

Disagree. It is capitalized in every English speaking country when preceding a name (President Trump)  and when used with the honorific "Mr." in exactly the same way it is "Her Royal Highness" and not "her royal highness."

...and...  Xyr Royal Highness and Mx President for any gender dysphoric Head of State of the Commonwealth and United States, respectively.

Quote Post 8