Isabella Carter
When discussing the specific founding document of the US, Constitution is capitalized. However, when used descriptively, the word is lowercase. Similarly, while the names of amendments to the US Constitution are typically capitalized, the phrase constitutional amendment is not, as constitutional is an adjective and should be lowercase. For example, one would cite the U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2 to refer to Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should "Constitutional Amendment" be capitalized? | No. "Constitutional" is lowercase because it is an adjective. However, "Constitution" is capitalized when referring to the specific founding document of the U.S. |
| Should the names of amendments be capitalized? | Yes. For example, "The First Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution)". |
| How to cite the U.S. Constitution | U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2 |
| How to cite the Hawaii Constitution | Haw. Const. art. IX, § 1, cl. 2 |
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What You'll Learn
'Constitutional' is an adjective and should be lowercase
When discussing a Constitutional Amendment, the word "constitutional" is an adjective and should be written in lowercase. For example, one should write "constitutional amendment" in lowercase when referring to an amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
While "constitutional" is lowercase, the names of specific amendments to the U.S. Constitution are usually capitalized. For instance, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects our right to free speech. Here, "First Amendment" is capitalized as it refers to a specific amendment.
Similarly, when referring to the founding document of the U.S. Constitution, one should capitalize the word "Constitution." For example, "George Washington's name is the first signature on the Constitution." However, when using the word "constitution" in a descriptive or general sense, it is lowercase. For instance, "The chess club needed a new constitution."
To summarize, the word "constitutional" is an adjective and should generally be written in lowercase. Specific amendment names and references to the U.S. Constitution as a founding document are capitalized, while the word "constitution" in a descriptive or general sense remains lowercase.
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'Constitution' is lowercase when used descriptively
When referring to a specific constitution, such as the United States Constitution or the Constitution of a particular state, the word "constitution" is typically capitalized. However, when used in a general or descriptive sense, the word "constitution" is not capitalized. This is because it is then considered a common noun and is treated as such grammatically.
For example, sentences like "The country's new constitution was widely praised for its protections of individual liberties" or "The process of creating a constitution can be lengthy and complex" use "constitution" in a general way and thus the word is lowercase. In these contexts, "constitution" is not referring to a specific, official document but rather to the general concept of a constitution.
Another way to think about it is that when "constitution" is used as an adjective, it is usually lowercase. For example, "the constitution of the student council" or "the constitution of a company" refers to the way something is structurally composed, and in these phrases, "constitution" is not capitalized.
This also applies to phrases like "constitutional government," "constitutional rights," and "constitutional law," where the word "constitutional" is derived from "constitution" but is not capitalized because it is used in a descriptive manner. Capitalization would be appropriate, however, in phrases like "Fifth Amendment rights" or "First Amendment issues," where specific amendments are being referenced.
So, while the word "constitution" can be capitalized in certain contexts, when used descriptively or as an adjective, it is generally lowercase. This follows standard grammatical rules for capitalizing proper nouns versus common nouns.
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The US 'Constitution' is capitalised when referring to the specific founding document
In the US, when referring to the specific founding document known as the Constitution, the word "Constitution" is capitalised. For example, "George Washington's name is the first signature on the Constitution." Here, "Constitution" is used to refer to the specific founding document and is therefore capitalised.
However, when used descriptively, "constitution" is lowercase. For instance, in the sentence "The chess club needed a new constitution," the word "constitution" is not capitalised because it is used in a general sense to describe a set of rules or guidelines. Similarly, when referring to a constitutional amendment, the word "constitutional" remains lowercase because it is an adjective. For example, one might write, "The First Amendment is part of the US Constitution." Here, "constitution" is capitalised, but "constitutional" is not.
It is worth noting that the names of amendments to the US Constitution are typically capitalised. For instance, "The First Amendment (of the US Constitution) protects our right to free speech." Here, "First Amendment" is capitalised because it refers to a specific amendment, but "constitution" is lowercase as it is used descriptively.
When citing the US Constitution, the abbreviation "U.S. Const." is used, followed by the amendment number, such as "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2" to refer to Amendment XIV, Section 2 of the US Constitution. This standardised format ensures clarity and consistency in legal citations.
In summary, when referring to the specific founding document of the United States, the word "Constitution" is capitalised. However, when used descriptively or as an adjective ("constitutional"), it is lowercase. The names of amendments to the Constitution are generally capitalised, and standardised abbreviations are used in citations to ensure consistency and clarity.
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Amendment names are usually capitalised
When discussing a Constitutional Amendment, it is written as a "constitutional amendment", with only the first letter capitalised due to it being a common noun. However, when referring to the specific founding document of the US Constitution, it is spelled with a capital "C". This is also the case for amendments to the Constitution, where the names of the amendments are usually capitalised. For example, the "First Amendment" of the US Constitution protects our right to free speech.
In contrast, when using "constitution" descriptively, it is lowercase. For instance, "The chess club needed a new constitution." Similarly, when referring to a constitution in a general sense, it is also lowercase. For example, "We should look that up in our constitution."
When citing amendments to the US Constitution, the standard format is "U.S. Const. amend. [number and section]". For instance, "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2" refers to Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution.
It is important to note that the capitalisation rules for "constitution" and "amendment" may vary depending on the style guide or specific context.
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The first 10 Amendments are called the 'Bill of Rights'
The US Constitution is a founding document that was written in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was penned by delegates from 12 states, with the intention of replacing the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. The Constitution has since undergone several amendments, which are changes to the wording or meaning of the original document.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and they serve to limit government power and protect individual liberties. James Madison wrote the amendments, which were influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and other historical documents.
The Bill of Rights includes the following amendments:
- Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
- Right to bear arms
- No quartering of soldiers in peacetime without consent
- Protection from unreasonable searches and arrests
- Rights in criminal cases, including the right to a fair trial
- Rights in civil cases
- Limitations on bail, fines, and punishment
- Rights retained by the people
- Powers reserved to the states and the people
- States' rights
It is worth noting that while "constitutional" is typically lowercase, the names of specific amendments, such as the First Amendment, are usually capitalized.
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Frequently asked questions
No, "constitutional" is lowercase because it is an adjective. However, "constitution" should be capitalized when referring to the specific founding document of the US, known as the Constitution.
When citing a constitutional amendment, use the format: [Country] Const. amend. [number], [section], [clause]. For example, "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2" or "Haw. Const. art. IX, § 1, cl. 2".
Yes, the names of amendments to the US Constitution are usually capitalized. For example, the First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech.
