Jonah Patel
The word constitutional is an adjective that is typically written in lowercase. However, the word constitution has different capitalization rules depending on its usage and context. When referring to a specific country's constitution, such as the United States Constitution, it is often capitalized as a proper noun. On the other hand, when used in a generic sense or as an adjective, constitution is typically written in lowercase. These capitalization conventions can vary across different countries and writing styles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Referring to a specific country's constitution | Capitalize |
| Referring to a constitution generally | Lowercase |
| Referring to the US Constitution | Capitalize |
| Referring to the government document | Capitalize |
| Used as an adjective | Lowercase |
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What You'll Learn
Capitalization of 'Constitution' depends on the country
The capitalization of the word "constitution" depends on the country and the context in which it is being used.
In the United States, "Constitution" is typically capitalized when referring to the U.S. Constitution, with or without the "U.S." prefix. This capitalization extends to generic references to the United States Constitution, such as "the Constitution", while a more general reference to a constitution may be written in lowercase, such as "the Wisconsin Constitution." This is because the U.S. Constitution is treated as a proper noun, while a generic reference is treated as a common noun.
In other countries, the capitalization of "constitution" may vary. For instance, in the United Kingdom, an originalist approach to construing the constitution may reject capitalization, similar to how punctuation and paragraphing are not used as aids to interpreting legislation. In Germany, the practice of capitalizing nouns, including "constitution," was historically influenced by the use of the gothic script ("Fraktur"). However, this practice is not limited to Germany, as it was also observed in Luxembourg and, until recently, in Danish.
It is essential to note that the decision to capitalize "constitution" or use lowercase can also depend on specific style guides and conventions within different countries. These conventions may evolve over time, and writers' preferences and influences can play a role in shaping them.
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'Constitutional' is always lowercase
The English language has many nuances and complexities, and capitalization is one of the most challenging aspects. The use of capitalization can vary depending on context, style guides, and regional variations. When it comes to the word "constitutional," the general rule is that it is always lowercase when used as an adjective.
In English, adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, and they typically do not require capitalization unless they are part of a title or a proper noun. For example, in the sentence "The constitutional rights of citizens are protected by the Supreme Court," the word "constitutional" is an adjective describing the noun "rights." Here, "constitutional" is not capitalized because it is not a proper noun or part of a title.
It is important to note that the word "constitution" can be both a common noun and a proper noun, depending on the context. When referring to a specific country's constitution, such as the United States Constitution, it is often capitalized as a proper noun. However, when used in a generic sense, such as "the constitution of a company or organization," it is treated as a common noun and is typically lowercase.
Additionally, when using "constitution" as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it is generally written in lowercase. For example, "Our club needs a better constitution" or "The group operates under a set of constitutional guidelines." Here, "constitution" and "constitutional" are not capitalized because they are not being used as proper nouns or titles.
It is worth mentioning that different style guides and regional variations may have slightly different rules for capitalization. For example, in American English, "Constitution" is often capitalized when referring to the United States Constitution, while in British English, the capitalization may vary depending on the context and the specific style guide being followed.
In summary, when using the word "constitutional," it is generally lowercase because it is an adjective. However, the capitalization of "constitution" can vary depending on whether it is being used as a proper noun or a common noun, with the context and style guide playing a crucial role in determining the appropriate capitalization.
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Capitalization of 'constitution' in generic references
The capitalization of the word "constitution" depends on whether it is being used in a generic sense or as a specific reference.
When referring to a specific constitution, such as the U.S. Constitution or another constitution by its full name, the word "Constitution" is capitalized. For example, when referring to the United States Constitution, it is appropriate to use "the Constitution". This capitalization rule also extends to other specific constitutions, such as the Wisconsin Constitution, which would be referred to as "the Wisconsin Constitution" in full form, and "the constitution" in generic references.
In a broader sense, the word "constitution" is often capitalized when referring to the foundational document or framework of a government, country, or organization. For instance, when discussing the fundamental principles or laws that govern a particular entity, it is common to capitalize "Constitution" to emphasize its importance and formal nature.
However, when using the term "constitution" in a generic or informal context, it is generally written in lower case. For example, one might say, "The country's constitution guarantees freedom of speech for all its citizens." In this sentence, "constitution" is not capitalized because it is used in a general sense to describe the country's foundational laws, rather than referring to a specific document or framework.
Additionally, when referring to court documents, generic references are typically not capitalized. This follows the convention that generic terms, such as "federal court," are written in lower case, while specific references, like "the Seventh Circuit," are capitalized.
It is worth noting that capitalization rules can vary depending on the style guide or specific context, and there may be exceptions to these general guidelines.
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Capitalization of 'Constitution' in American English
The use of capitalization in the context of the Constitution and constitutional matters in American English has been a subject of discussion and varies depending on the specific context and style guide followed.
Technically, the word "constitution" is not a proper noun, and therefore, it should not be capitalized. However, due to the reverence Americans hold for their political system and its institutions, the term has taken on the status of a proper noun in American English. As a result, the word "Constitution" is often capitalized when referring to the U.S. Constitution or another specific country's constitution by its full name or as a shorthand after mentioning the full name. For example, it is common to see "the Constitution" when referring to the United States Constitution, while a generic reference to another constitution, such as the "Wisconsin Constitution," would be written in lower case as "the constitution."
The capitalization of "constitution" can also depend on the specific style guide being followed. For instance, the UK's Guardian newspaper often chooses not to capitalize "constitution", even when referring to the US Constitution, unless it is at the beginning of a sentence. They also do not capitalize "queen" unless it specifically refers to Queen Elizabeth II.
In the context of legal documents, capitalization can take on added significance. In American law, if a noun that is not a proper noun is capitalized in a contract, statute, or regulation, it typically indicates that the term is defined elsewhere in the document. This convention is not limited to the word "constitution" but extends to other nouns as well.
Additionally, when discussing constitutional matters, the capitalization of other words may come into play. For example, in the preamble of the US Constitution, most nouns are capitalized, continuing the trend from the eighteenth century when all nouns were commonly capitalized. However, this practice has since been abandoned, and today, the use of capitalization varies across different documents and publications.
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Capitalization of 'Constitution' in British English
In British English, the general rule is that only proper nouns are capitalised. As 'constitution' is not a proper noun, it is not typically capitalised in British English. This is true even when referring to a specific country's constitution, such as "the Chinese constitution".
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, when referring to the U.S. Constitution, it is common to capitalise "Constitution" even when it is not part of a title. This is due to the American veneration for their political system's institutions, which has elevated the term "Constitution" to the status of a proper noun in the U.S.
Additionally, when referring to a specific constitution by its full name or as a shorthand after mentioning the full name, it may be appropriate to capitalise "Constitution". For example, when referring to "The Constitution of the United States of America" or "The US Constitution", it is common to use the capitalised "Constitution" as a shorthand term.
In the context of a court or legal setting, the rules for capitalisation may also vary. For example, in an indictment in a criminal case, the defendant's name is typically written in capital letters. Additionally, in some styles, "Court" is capitalised when referring to a specific court, such as "the Wisconsin Supreme Court" or "this Court".
It's important to note that capitalisation rules can vary depending on the style guide or house style being followed, and there may be exceptions for specific publications or organisations. For example, The Guardian, a UK-based publication, often chooses not to capitalise terms like "queen" or "president".
Therefore, while the general rule in British English is to not capitalise "constitution", there may be specific contexts or styles in which capitalisation is appropriate or preferred.
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Frequently asked questions
When referring to the U.S. Constitution or another constitution by its full name, you should capitalize "Constitution". When referring to a specific country's constitution, it is treated as a proper noun and should be capitalized.
When making a generic reference to a constitution, it is considered a common noun and should not be capitalized. For example, "the Wisconsin Constitution" becomes "the constitution".
No, "constitutional" should be lowercase because it is an adjective.
