Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution is a legally binding document that outlines the country's fundamental principles, rights, and laws. When referring specifically to this document, the general rule is to capitalize the word Constitution. This capitalization emphasizes the significance and uniqueness of this particular constitution among other countries' constitutions. However, the decision to capitalize Constitution may vary depending on the style guide being followed and the context in which it is used. For example, when using constitution as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it is typically written in lowercase. The capitalization of Constitution in relation to the US government and its documents reflects the importance attributed to this foundational text in American political and legal culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When referring to the US Constitution | Capitalize |
| When referring to a specific country's constitution, but not America's | Do not capitalize |
| When using the constitution as an adjective | Do not capitalize |
| When using the constitution in a descriptive manner | Do not capitalize |
| When referring to the government | Capitalization rules may not apply |
| When referring to a named document, committee, etc. | Capitalize |
| When referring to legislation, treaties, etc. | Capitalize |
| When referring to a sovereign nation | Capitalize |
| When referring to government departments | Capitalize |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Constitution' is a common noun, but is often capitalised when referring to the US Constitution
- The US Constitution is a legally binding document and is therefore capitalised
- Capitalisation is used to differentiate between common and proper nouns
- Constitutional is never capitalised
- Capitalisation is a stochastic sociolinguistic process
'Constitution' is a common noun, but is often capitalised when referring to the US Constitution
The word "constitution" is a common noun and, as such, should not be capitalised. However, when referring to the US Constitution, it is often capitalised. This is because Americans hold their political system's institutions in high regard, and these terms have taken on the status of proper nouns.
When discussing a named document, committee, or similar entity, a common word used as shorthand in the official title is often capitalised. For example, in an article about "The Constitution of the United States of America" or "The US Constitution", it is common to use the shorthand "the Constitution" with a capital "C" after the full name has been mentioned once. This capitalisation is also seen in references to other important American documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
The capitalisation of "Constitution" when referring to the US Constitution is a linguistic convention and a stylistic choice. Some style guides, such as that of the UK's Guardian newspaper, choose not to capitalise these terms, even for UK institutions, unless it is the first word in a sentence. Other sources suggest that the word "Constitution" should be capitalised when referring to the government's document, treating it as a proper noun.
It is worth noting that the adjective "constitutional" is never capitalised, even when referring to the US Constitution. Additionally, when using "constitution" as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it should always be written in lowercase. For example, "This website censored me, and it is unconstitutional" or "Our singing group needs a better constitution".
In summary, while "constitution" is a common noun, it is often capitalised when specifically referring to the US Constitution due to the significance of this document in American political culture. The capitalisation of this term can vary depending on stylistic choices and media style guides, but it generally reflects the importance attributed to the US Constitution.
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The US Constitution is a legally binding document and is therefore capitalised
Capitalisation is often used to indicate proper nouns, and while 'constitution' is not a proper noun, American reverence for their political institutions has led to its capitalisation when referring to the US Constitution. This is a stylistic choice that is also seen in other media style guides. For example, the UK's Guardian newspaper chooses not to capitalise these terms, even when referring to Queen Elizabeth II, unless it is the first word of a sentence.
The US Constitution is also often referred to by its full name, 'The Constitution of the United States of America', or as 'The US Constitution'. In these cases, it is standard to use the capitalised 'Constitution' as a shorthand term after the full name has been established. This is similar to how other named documents or committees are treated in writing.
It is worth noting that the use of capitalisation varies and is dependent on style and context. For example, when using 'constitution' as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it should be written in lowercase. Additionally, the convention around capitalisation differs across countries, with some countries choosing to capitalise and others not.
In the context of legally binding documents, the US Constitution is treated as a proper noun and is therefore capitalised. This is supported by linguistic conventions and stylistic choices that reflect the importance and reverence associated with the US Constitution as a foundational document of the nation.
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Capitalisation is used to differentiate between common and proper nouns
Capitalisation is used to distinguish between common and proper nouns. In the English language, the general rule is that the first word of a sentence and all proper nouns are capitalised. Proper nouns are specific names or titles for a specific person, place, or thing and so require capitalisation to indicate their uniqueness. Common nouns, on the other hand, are general names or titles for people, places, or things and are not capitalised unless they start a sentence.
The use of capitalisation in the context of the US Constitution has been a subject of discussion and varying practices. Some sources suggest that when referring specifically to the US Constitution as a legal document, it is appropriate to capitalise "Constitution". This capitalisation treats the word as a proper noun to distinguish it from its common noun form. For example, "America's original Constitution has been stored in the national archives" uses capitalisation to refer specifically to the US Constitution as a legal document.
However, it is important to note that the word "constitution" is not inherently a proper noun. Some style guides and publications, particularly outside the US, choose not to capitalise it even when referring to the US Constitution. They may view the capitalisation of "constitution" as unnecessary or inconsistent with their style guidelines. For example, the UK publication The Guardian is known for its selective capitalisation of terms like "queen" and "president".
Additionally, the use of capitalisation can vary depending on the context and style guidelines of different publications or organisations. For instance, when referring to the US government, the word "government" is typically capitalised, but when used as an adjective, it is lowercase. Similarly, when "constitution" is used as an adjective or in a descriptive manner, it is generally written in lowercase, as in "This website censored me, and it is unconstitutional" or "our singing group needs a better constitution."
Furthermore, the capitalisation of "Constitution" may depend on its usage within a sentence or article. It is common to introduce the full name "The Constitution of the United States of America" or "The US Constitution" and then use the shorthand capitalised "the Constitution" throughout the rest of the text. This practice is similar to how "The Committee to Re-Elect the Erroneous President" may be shortened to "the Committee" in subsequent references.
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Constitutional is never capitalised
When it comes to the US Constitution, the general rule is that the word "Constitution" is capitalized when referring specifically to the US government's official document. In this context, it is treated as a proper noun and thus capitalized. However, when using the term "constitutional" as an adjective or in a descriptive context, it should always be written in lowercase. For example, one might say, "The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land," with "Constitution" capitalized as it refers to the official document. In contrast, one would write, "The constitutional rights of citizens are protected," with "constitutional" in lowercase as it is used descriptively.
The capitalization of "Constitution" specifically in reference to the US government's document stems from the fact that it is a named entity, and common words within named entities are often capitalized when used as shorthand. For example, "The Committee to Re-Elect the Erroneous President" may be shortened to "the Committee" with "Committee" capitalized. Additionally, the US Constitution is often viewed with a sense of veneration, which has contributed to the treatment of "Constitution" as a proper noun.
It is worth noting that the convention of capitalizing "Constitution" when referring to the US government's document may not apply when discussing the constitutions of other countries. The decision to capitalize can vary across different countries and media style guides. For instance, the UK's Guardian newspaper often chooses not to capitalize these terms, even for UK institutions.
While the adjective "constitutional" is never capitalized, the practice of capitalizing nouns within legal documents has varied over time. In the eighteenth century, the use of extra initial capitals was common, but this practice was eventually abandoned due to pressure from writers who wanted to emphasize specific words with capitals. Today, in American law, the capitalization of a noun that is not a proper noun in a contract, statute, or similar document can indicate that the term is defined elsewhere in the text.
In summary, while "Constitution" may be capitalized when specifically referring to the US government's document, the adjective "constitutional" is never capitalized. The capitalization rules surrounding legal documents and their content can vary based on historical conventions, linguistic studies, and the style guides of different countries and publications.
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Capitalisation is a stochastic sociolinguistic process
Capitalisation is a complex and dynamic aspect of language that can be influenced by various social, cultural, and historical factors. In the context of "The US Constitution", the capitalisation of the word "Constitution" becomes an intriguing case study in sociolinguistics.
Sociolinguistics is a field of study that explores the interplay between society and language. It examines how cultural norms, expectations, and context influence language usage and how language, in turn, shapes society. One of the fundamental findings in sociolinguistics is the relationship between class and language variety. Members of the working class tend to deviate more from standard language usage, while the middle and upper classes tend to speak closer to the standard. However, class aspirations also come into play, as individuals may adapt their language to align with their desired social status.
When it comes to "The US Constitution", capitalisation practices can be viewed through a sociolinguistic lens. Historically, the use of extra initial capitals was prevalent in the eighteenth century, with nearly 100% of nouns being capitalised around the 1750s. However, this practice was eventually abandoned due to pressure from writers who wanted to emphasise individual words. In the US Constitution, it appears that most, if not all, nouns are capitalised, following the conventions of the time.
The capitalisation of "Constitution" when referring specifically to the US Constitution is a result of American veneration for their political institutions. While "constitution" is not technically a proper noun, it has taken on that status due to the significance Americans place on their founding document. This capitalisation reflects a linguistic convention where a common noun becomes a proper noun when used as a title or shorthand for a specific document.
Additionally, the capitalisation of "Constitution" in this context may also be influenced by legal conventions. In American law, the capitalisation of a noun that is not a proper noun is often an indication that the term is defined elsewhere in the document. This suggests that the capitalisation of "Constitution" could be interpreted as a legal term with specific definitions within the context of US law.
In conclusion, the capitalisation of "Constitution" in reference to the US Constitution is indeed a stochastic sociolinguistic process. It is shaped by historical capitalisation practices, cultural norms, and the unique status of the document within American society and law. While there may not be a definitive answer to the capitalisation of every word or term, the study of sociolinguistics provides valuable insights into the complex and ever-evolving nature of language in society.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, when referring to the US government document, the word "Constitution" should be capitalized. It is treated as a proper noun in this context.
The word "constitutional" should not be capitalized. It is an adjective and is only capitalized when it begins a sentence.
While "constitution" is not a proper noun, American reverence for their political institutions has led to its capitalization when referring to the US government document.
