GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A project manager is writing an email to a client. Which sentence correctly uses capitalization?
- APlease review the attached document, 'Quarterly Progress Report,' before our next meeting.
- BThe new Software Update is scheduled for release next Quarter.
- COur Team will begin working on Phase Two of the project next month.
- DWe will present the Project Proposal at our Meeting on Tuesday.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Please review the attached document, 'Quarterly Progress Report,' before our next meeting.
Titles of specific documents, reports, or publications should be capitalized. 'Quarterly Progress Report' is a specific title. General terms like 'project proposal,' 'meeting,' 'software update,' 'quarter,' 'team,' 'phase,' and 'month' are not capitalized unless they are part of a proper noun or specific title.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrectly capitalizes 'Software Update' and 'Quarter' as general terms.
- C. Incorrectly capitalizes 'Team' and 'Phase Two' as general terms; 'month' is also not capitalized.
- D. Incorrectly capitalizes 'Project Proposal' and 'Meeting' as general terms; only 'Tuesday' (a proper noun) should be capitalized.
Capitalization of Titles and Proper Nouns
Capitalize proper nouns (specific names of people, places, organizations, and specific days/months) and the principal words in titles of books, articles, and reports. Do not capitalize general nouns.
- Always capitalize specific names (e.g., John, Paris, Microsoft).
- Capitalize specific days of the week and months (e.g., Monday, January).
- Capitalize major words in titles (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns).
- Do not capitalize general terms like 'meeting,' 'report,' 'season,' 'phase' unless they are part of a specific title.
Memory trick: Start of sentence, proper names, and main title words rise up.