Simone Lawson
When discussing amendments to the US Constitution, it can be tricky to know whether to use a capital C when referring to the constitution in general. The rule is that when you're using constitution descriptively, it's lowercase. However, when referring to the specific founding document of the US Constitution, it is capitalized. The names of amendments to the US Constitution are also usually capitalized; for example, the First Amendment refers to the right to free speech.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should "constitutional amendment" be capitalized? | No. "Constitutional" is lowercase because it is an adjective. |
| Should "constitution" be capitalized? | When used descriptively, "constitution" is lowercase. When referring to the specific founding document of the U.S. Constitution, it is capitalized. |
| Should the names of amendments be capitalized? | The names of amendments made to the U.S. Constitution are usually capitalized. For example, "First Amendment". |
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What You'll Learn
'Constitutional' is an adjective and should be lowercase
When discussing grammar and spelling, it's important to remember that "constitutional" is an adjective and should generally be lowercase. For example, when referring to something that is in accordance with or related to a constitution, the word "constitutional" should be lowercase, as in "a constitutional amendment".
However, when referring to the specific founding document of a country, such as the Constitution of the United States, the word "Constitution" is typically capitalized. This capitalization emphasizes the importance and specificity of the document. Similarly, the names of amendments made to a constitution are usually capitalized. For instance, we refer to "the First Amendment" of the US Constitution.
It's worth noting that when using the word "constitution" in a descriptive sense, it is typically lowercase. For example, a club or organization might have its own constitution, which would not be capitalized. The word "constitution" in this context is not referring to a specific, formal document but rather a set of guidelines or principles.
To further illustrate this point, consider the following sentences: "We should examine our class constitution to resolve this dispute" versus "The United States Constitution is on display at the National Archives." In the first sentence, "constitution" is used in a general sense and is therefore lowercase. In the second sentence, "Constitution" refers specifically to the foundational document of the United States and is thus capitalized.
In summary, while "constitutional" is an adjective and generally lowercase, the usage and capitalization of "constitution" and specific amendment names can vary depending on the context and the specific document or entity being referenced.
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The US Constitution is a specific document and is thus capitalised
When discussing the US Constitution and its amendments, it is important to distinguish between general and specific references. The capitalisation or lack thereof serves as a key indicator of this distinction.
In general, the word "constitution" is capitalised when referring to the specific founding document of a nation, such as the US Constitution. This capitalisation signifies the unique significance of this document in the nation's history and legal framework. For example, one might refer to "the Constitution of the United States" or simply "the Constitution" with a capital "C" when specifically discussing this foundational text.
On the other hand, when using "constitution" in a descriptive or general sense, it is typically written in lowercase. For instance, an organisation might say, "We should look that up in our constitution," referring to their own set of governing rules and regulations, which is different from the nation's founding document. Similarly, when discussing constitutional amendments, the adjective "constitutional" remains lowercase, as in the phrase "a constitutional amendment."
The amendments to the US Constitution are generally capitalised, reflecting their significance within the American legal system. For example, one might refer to "the First Amendment" or "the Fourteenth Amendment," capitalising the name of the amendment. This capitalisation is a standard convention in American legal citations and academic writing.
In summary, the US Constitution and its amendments are capitalised when referring specifically to the foundational document of the United States and its subsequent alterations. This capitalisation distinguishes these references from more general discussions of organisational constitutions or descriptive uses of the word "constitution."
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Amendment names are usually capitalised
In the context of the US Constitution, when referring to a specific amendment, it is customary to capitalise the name. For instance, the "First Amendment" of the US Constitution protects our right to free speech. Similarly, the "Bill of Rights" refers to the first ten amendments, which are also capitalised as they are officially recognised amendments.
However, when using the term "constitutional amendment" in a general sense, it is written in lowercase as it is used descriptively. For example, one might say, "The state legislature passed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to free speech." Here, the phrase "constitutional amendment" is not referring to a specific, officially recognised amendment, so it remains lowercase.
This distinction is important because it helps differentiate between formal and informal references to constitutional changes. Capitalisation of amendment names indicates their official status and recognises their significance in the US legal system. On the other hand, lowercase usage in a descriptive context highlights the general act or process of amending the constitution, rather than referring to a specific, named amendment.
It is worth noting that when citing specific amendments, a combination of uppercase and lowercase is used. For example, the correct citation for the Fourteenth Amendment would be: "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2." Here, while "Amendment" is capitalised, "amend." is in lowercase, indicating a specific reference while following standard grammatical rules for capitalisation.
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The first 10 Amendments are called the Bill of Rights
The names of amendments made to the US Constitution are usually capitalized. For example, we refer to the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and so on.
The first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution are together known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were proposed by the First Congress of the United States on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights grants citizens a wide range of rights and protections, including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection from unreasonable searches and arrests, and the right to a fair trial.
The Fifth Amendment, for instance, provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be initiated by a grand jury and that a person cannot be tried twice for the same offence (double jeopardy). It also protects against self-incrimination and ensures that property cannot be taken away without just compensation.
The Ninth Amendment states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not retain other rights not explicitly mentioned. The Tenth Amendment complements this by stating that the Federal Government only has the powers that are delegated to it in the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights also includes protections for citizens beyond the first 10 Amendments. For example, the 18th Amendment established the prohibition of liquor, while the 19th Amendment guaranteed women's suffrage.
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Cite the US Constitution as: U.S. Const. amend. [number], § [number]
When citing the US Constitution, it is important to follow the correct style guide, such as APA, MLA, or Bluebook style. The Bluebook is the standard reference for legal citations. While the APA and MLA styles are commonly used in academic writing and provide specific guidelines for citing the US Constitution.
In general, when citing the US Constitution, you should use the abbreviation "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. The specific format for citing an amendment to the US Constitution depends on the style guide you are using. Here is an example of how to cite the US Constitution as "U.S. Const. amend. [number], § [number]" in different styles:
APA and Bluebook Style:
According to APA style and the Bluebook, the citation format for an amendment to the US Constitution is as follows:
> U.S. Const. amend. [number in Roman numerals], § [number in Arabic numerals]
For example, to cite the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 2, you would write:
> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.
Article and amendment numbers are written in Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.), while section and clause numbers are written in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).
MLA Style:
MLA style has a slightly different format for citing the US Constitution. Here is an example:
> United States Constitution, Amend. [number in Roman numerals], Sec. [number in Arabic numerals]
So, to cite the same section in MLA style, you would write:
> United States Constitution, Amend. XIV, Sec. 2.
In-Text Citations:
When providing in-text citations, you may refer to a specific amendment or section without providing the full citation. For example, "The right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment (U.S. Const. amend. I)" or "The founding fathers addressed the process in Article IV, Section 3 (U.S. Const. art. IV, § 3)."
Additionally, when referring to a part of the Constitution that has been repealed or amended, include the year in parentheses: "Women gained the right to vote in 1920 (U.S. Const. amend. XIX)."
Capitalization:
When citing the US Constitution or referring to specific amendments, it is standard practice to capitalize the names of the amendments. For example, "The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech." However, when using "constitution" descriptively or as an adjective, it is generally lowercase: "We should review our club's constitution."
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Frequently asked questions
No, "constitutional" is lowercase because it is an adjective. However, when referring to the specific founding document of the US Constitution, it is capitalized.
Cite a US constitutional amendment by writing "U.S. Const. amend." followed by the amendment number in Roman numerals and the section number. For example, "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2" for the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, Section 2.
Yes, the names of amendments to the US Constitution are usually capitalized. For example, the "First Amendment".
The first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
