Jonah Patel
The rules for capitalizing the word constitution depend on the context in which it is being used. When referring to the US Constitution, the specific founding document, it is capitalized. This is because when a common word is used as shorthand for the name of a named document, committee, or similar entity, it is often capitalized. However, when used in a descriptive manner or as an adjective, it should be in lowercase. For example, Our singing group needs a better constitution or This website censored me, and that is unconstitutional.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Referring to a specific country's constitution | Capitalize |
| Referring to the US Constitution | Capitalize |
| Referring to the government document | Capitalize |
| Used as an adjective | Lowercase |
| Used in a descriptive manner | Lowercase |
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What You'll Learn
- Capitalize 'Constitution' when referring to the US Constitution
- Capitalize the word when referring to another country's constitution by its full name
- Do not capitalize 'constitution' when referring to a constitution in general?
- Do not capitalize 'constitutional' as it is an adjective?
- Capitalize 'Constitution' when it is the first word in a sentence
Capitalize 'Constitution' when referring to the US Constitution
The US holds its Constitution in high regard, and this is reflected in the way the word is used in the English language. While 'constitution' is not a proper noun, it is often capitalised when referring to the US Constitution. This is a common convention, and one that is often followed by the media.
When discussing a named document, committee, or entity, it is common to use a common word from the official title as a shorthand name—and to capitalise that word. For example, when referring to "The Constitution of the United States of America" or "The US Constitution", it is normal to use the shorthand "the Constitution" in capital letters, after the full name has been given. This is a style choice, and not all publications will follow this convention. The UK's Guardian newspaper, for example, often chooses not to capitalise these terms, even for UK institutions.
The US Constitution itself contains many capitalised nouns, a common practice in the eighteenth century. This has led to some discussion about whether an originalist approach to construing the US Constitution would include the capitalisation of nouns as a constructional aid.
Capitalising the 'C' in Constitution when referring to the US Constitution is, therefore, a stylistic choice. It is common to capitalise the word, but not necessary, and some publications choose to only capitalise the word when it is the first word of a sentence.
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Capitalize the word when referring to another country's constitution by its full name
When referring to another country's constitution by its full name, it is generally recommended to capitalise the word 'Constitution'. This is because, in this context, 'Constitution' is considered a proper noun and is part of the official title of the document. For example, "In China's 1978 Constitution, we can see that..." or "The Constitution of the United States of America".
However, it is worth noting that different countries may have different conventions for capitalisation. While some countries may follow the convention of capitalising proper nouns, others may not. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the specific style guide or convention of the country in question when referring to their constitution.
Additionally, when referring to a constitution in a general sense, without referring to a specific country's constitution, it is treated as a common noun and is not capitalised. For example, "The country has a written constitution".
It is also important to note that when referring to the US Constitution specifically, the convention is to capitalise 'Constitution', regardless of whether the full name is used or not. For example, "The US Constitution" or "The Constitution of the United States of America".
Finally, when referring to other official documents or committees, similar capitalisation rules apply. For example, "The Declaration of Independence", "The Bill of Rights", or "The First Amendment".
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Do not capitalize 'constitution' when referring to a constitution in general
When referring to a constitution in a general sense, the word "constitution" should not be capitalized. This is because it is not a proper noun in this context and is instead considered a common noun. For example, one might say, "A country's constitution is a legally binding document." Here, "constitution" is not capitalized as it refers to a constitution in a general sense and is not specific to any particular country.
Similarly, when using the word "constitution" as an adjective, it should be written in lowercase. For instance, "We need to establish a new constitution for our club." Here, "constitution" is being used as an adjective to describe the type of document being established, and thus, it is not capitalized.
The convention of capitalizing proper nouns but not common nouns is generally followed in English-speaking countries. However, it is worth noting that some countries may have their own specific conventions or rules regarding capitalization.
In contrast, when referring to a specific country's constitution, such as the United States Constitution, it is common to capitalize the word "Constitution." This is because it is now being used as a shorthand reference to a specific, named document, and thus, it is treated as a proper noun. For example, "The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States." Here, "Constitution" is capitalized as it specifically refers to the Constitution of the United States.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the original copy of the United States Constitution, ratified in the late 1780s, differs in punctuation and capitalization from the commonly reproduced version. This variation in capitalization is not unique to the Constitution, as German and French have also undergone changes in their capitalization rules over time.
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Do not capitalize 'constitutional' as it is an adjective
When it comes to the word "constitution", it is important to distinguish between its usage as a noun and as an adjective. While the word "constitution" is generally not a proper noun and therefore should not be capitalised, there are certain conventions and contexts where it is treated as a proper noun and thus capitalised.
The conventions surrounding the capitalisation of "constitution" vary across different countries and their specific cultural and linguistic contexts. For instance, in the United States, there is a tradition of veneration for their political system's institutions, which has led to the capitalisation of terms like "constitution" and "president" as if they were proper nouns. This decision to capitalise these terms is also influenced by media style guides, with some publications choosing to follow this convention and others, like the UK's Guardian, opting not to.
When referring to the legally binding document of a government, such as the US Constitution, it is common to capitalise the word "Constitution". In this context, "Constitution" is used as a shorthand reference to the full title, "The Constitution of the United States of America", or "The US Constitution". This capitalisation rule also applies to other specific government terms like "Federal", "Administration", and "Cabinet". However, it is worth noting that this convention primarily applies to the US Constitution, and the rules for capitalising the constitutions of other countries may differ.
Now, to address the specific instruction, "do not capitalise constitutional as it is an adjective". When using the word "constitutional" as an adjective, it is indeed correct to write it in lowercase. For example, in the sentence "This website censored me, and it is unconstitutional", "unconstitutional" is an adjective describing the website's actions, and thus, it is written in lowercase. Similarly, in the sentence "Our singing group needs a better constitution", "constitution" is used in a descriptive manner and is not capitalised.
In summary, while the word "constitution" can be capitalised when referring specifically to the US Constitution or as a shorthand for the full title of a country's constitution, it is generally not capitalised when used as an adjective or in a descriptive context. The rules for capitalisation can vary depending on the country and the specific style guides being followed, but adhering to consistent usage within a text is essential for clear and effective communication.
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Capitalize 'Constitution' when it is the first word in a sentence
When writing, it is essential to pay attention to the finer details, such as capitalization, to ensure your work is easily understood and follows accepted conventions. The word "Constitution" should be capitalized when referring to a specific country's founding document, such as the US Constitution. This is because it is treated as a proper noun in this context. However, when referring to a constitution in a general sense, it is not necessary to capitalize the word.
For example, you might say, "The US Constitution, written in 1787, is the supreme law of the United States." Here, "Constitution" is capitalized as it refers specifically to the founding document of the United States. On the other hand, you would not capitalize "constitution" in a sentence like, "Every country has its own constitution, which outlines the rules and regulations of the land."
The rules for capitalization can sometimes be complex and dependent on context. In general, when referring to a specific named document, committee, or entity, it is common to capitalize any common words used as shorthand for that entity. For instance, "The Committee to Re-Elect the President" might be shortened to "the Committee" in subsequent references, with "Committee" capitalized.
However, it's important to note that capitalization rules can vary depending on style guides and context. For example, in the US, it is common to capitalize "Constitution" when referring specifically to the US founding document. Still, in other countries or contexts, the rules may differ. Always be mindful of the style guide or conventions relevant to your specific situation.
In summary, when referring to a specific country's constitution, such as the US Constitution, capitalize the word "Constitution." But when referring to constitutions in a general sense, there is no need to capitalize the word. Additionally, remember that capitalization rules can vary depending on context and style guides, so always consider your specific situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, when referring to a specific country's constitution, the word "constitution" is treated as a proper noun and should be capitalized. For example, "China's 1978 Constitution".
Yes, when referring to the US Constitution as the specific founding document, the word "constitution" is capitalized. For example, "George Washington's signature is on the Constitution".
No, when using the word "constitution" as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it should be written in lowercase. For example, "our group needs a better constitution" or "this is a constitutional amendment".
It depends on the style guide or convention being followed. Some sources suggest that only the US Constitution should be capitalized, while others propose that any country's specific constitution should be treated as a proper noun and thus capitalized.
