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Proper Adjectives and Course Names
22e. Capitalize proper adjectives.
A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun.
PROPER NOUNS China, William Shakespeare, the Confederacy
PROPER ADJECTIVES a Chinese scientist, a Shakespearean play, a Confederate soldier
22f. Do not capitalize the names of school subjects, except course names followed by numerals and
names of language classes.
EXERCISE A In the following sentences, circle each incorrectly used lowercase letter.
Example 1. When you’re at the bookstore, pick up an italian newspaper and a french magazine.
1. My mother bought an african lamp made of teakwood for my aunt.
2. My japanese friend took latin american history and enjoyed it.
3. Yesterday, a famous guest came to visit our music 102 class.
4. My british pen pal, Sarah, sent me an irish friendship ring.
5. I told my mother that the best way for me to practice speaking spanish is to talk with my
argentinian friend every night.
6. The spanish explorers sailed up the florida coast.
7. According to the korean exchange student, english class is very different in this country.
8. Isak Dinesen was a danish author who wrote a story about a european girl named Babette.
9. When I go to college, I plan to take biology 101 and swimming I, II, and III.
10. Everyone who is in my english class is also in my math 202 class.
EXERCISE B In the following sentences, circle each incorrectly used capital or lowercase letter.
Example 1. I have Study Hall between social studies and french.
11. As an interior decorator, Molly enjoys adding peruvian Rugs to a room’s decor.
12. When Roberto left Science class, he went to his locker to pick up a book for English class.
13. In History class, we saw pictures of victorian children.
14. We brought back some beautiful Mexican Pottery from our vacation in Mexico.
15. Next year I hope to enroll in advanced computer programming IV.
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MECHANICS
COURSE NAMES art, French, History II
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First Words, I, and Proper Nouns and Adjectives A
Review Rules 22a–22f for information on the correct capitalization of first words, the
pronoun I, proper nouns, and proper adjectives.
EXERCISE A Identify each underlined word or word group by writing above it CN for common noun, PN
1. The Marquis de Lafayette was a french soldier and diplomat.
2. He came to america in 1777 to join the staff of George Washington.
3. He helped the american colonists in their struggle for independence.
4. He persuaded king louis XVI to send soldiers and ships to help, too.
5. Lafayette fought in many battles of the American Revolution.
EXERCISE B In the following sentences, circle each incorrectly used lowercase letter.
Example 1. millie, a girl who sits next to me in english class, wrote a funny poem that begins,
“the banana peel came out of nowhere.”
6. Last january, i moved away from arizona.
7. it takes several days to drive from utah to pennsylvania.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
8. After dinner, my friend arlis and i swam in the gulf of mexico.
9. During my vacation last summer, i took a picture of a statue of Dr. martin luther king, jr., in
montgomery, alabama.
10. Pola said, “this is such a pretty city. let’s stop for the night here.”
11. our book club always meets on the second wednesday of the month.
12. As I walked through the front door, Dad asked, “would you rather have vegetable spaghetti or
baked fish for dinner?”
13. Hilda said, “let’s try that new restaurant that serves mediterranean food.”
14. ms. Williams said, “your assignment is to write a poem using the line ‘some people
don’t understand.’”
15. When i attend savannah college of art and design after high school graduation, i’m going to
study roman architecture.
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MECHANICS
for proper noun, or PA for proper adjective. Then, rewrite any underlined word that should be capitalized
but is not.
CN
PN–History I
Example 1. American history is covered in history I.
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First Words, I, and Proper Nouns and Adjectives B
Review Rules 22a–22f for information on the correct capitalization of first words, the pronoun I,
proper nouns, and proper adjectives.
EXERCISE A Identify each underlined word by writing above it CN for common noun, PN for proper noun,
or PA for proper adjective. Then, rewrite any underlined word that should be capitalized but is not.
CN
PN–Mozart
Example 1. “This is a composition by mozart,” Ms. Davis told us.
2. By the age of four, Mozart had already shown great musical genius.
3. He toured the european courts, performing on the violin and organ.
4. This austrian became one of the world’s greatest composers.
5. Mozart wrote many operas, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute.
EXERCISE B The following paragraph contains errors in capitalization. Circle each word that is incorrectly
capitalized or lowercased.
Example [1] most People are unaware of how many american tourist attractions exist.
[6] sherry and i took a trip one weekend. [7] On friday, we arrived in atlanta, georgia, where
we stopped for lunch at a place called priscilla’s pantry. [8] then, we went to burlington, North
carolina. [9] Sherry wanted to see the monument to Charles drew, the famous doctor. [10] I decided that i would learn more about dr. drew once we got back home. [11] That night, we stayed in a
Hotel on the Roanoke river. [12] Then, on saturday, we went to Gettysburg, pennsylvania. [13] I
learned that Gettysburg was founded by james gettys. [14] The Battle of Gettysburg, an important
battle in american History, was fought here. [15] After the Battle, abraham lincoln delivered the
Gettysburg Address. [16] a version of this speech appears on a plaque in the Lincoln Memorial,
which is located in Washington, d.c. [17] Because I had memorized this speech in History class, I
was able to recite it. [18] As we traveled home on sunday, we admired the pennsylvania countryside. [19] When we reached the Ohio river, we knew our trip was almost finished. [20] After we
got home, Sherry said, “we should take trips together more often.”
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MECHANICS
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in salzburg, austria.
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Personal Titles and Titles Showing Family Relationships
22g. Capitalize titles.
(1) Capitalize the title of a person when the title comes before a name.
(2) Capitalize a word showing a family relationship when the word is used before or in place of a
person’s name.
MECHANICS
Do not capitalize a word showing a family relationship if it follows a possessive word.
EXAMPLES My dad is a close friend of Chief Bradley.
My uncle Frank planned a birthday party for Aunt Flora.
EXERCISE A In the following sentences, circle each incorrectly used lowercase letter. If a sentence is
already correct, write C after it.
Example 1. Arthur enjoys talking with professor Bleau about archaeology.
1. For her birthday, my uncle Derwood gave aunt Bonnie a pair of earrings.
2. My grandpa owns stables where he boards and trains horses.
3. On Thursday, mayor Wilkins will be visiting our school.
4. Each morning, principal McVicar reads announcements.
5. Vickie listened with interest to a speech made by commissioner Jackson.
6. “Please ask Carlton whether he’d like to spend the night here,” said dad.
7. My mom wrote a note to excuse me from class for my appointment with dr. Lanier.
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8. When you see mrs. Davenport, please ask her if she has seen my mom.
9. Is that a drawing of president Washington on the one-dollar bill?
10. As Douglas approached the table, he said, “Good afternoon, uncle.”
EXERCISE B The following sentences contain errors in capitalization. Circle each letter that is incorrectly
capitalized or lowercased.
Example 1. Kenneth asked his Dad for permission to go see a movie with Mike.
11. Our committee should speak with the Principal about the dates for the party.
12. Before his birthday, I asked my Brother to give me a list of items he wanted.
13. I asked my neighbor, mr. Elton, if he would hire me to mow his lawn.
14. Jenny has always enjoyed spending time with aunt Pattie.
15. The fire marshal and mayor Kniffin worked together on the parade committee.
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