Capital letters.

Question

Hi,Could You tell me, if there is gramatically and correctly to use first letter of word "You" capitalized? Especially within expressions like above written, an example: "Would You mind", "Can I help You", etc.Bests,Xtlan.

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hi, Could You tell me, if there is gramatically and correctly to use first letter of word "You" capitalized? Especially within expressions like above written, an example: "Would You mind", "Can I help You", etc.[/nq]
It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless the first letter would be capitalized were it any other word.

The only personal pronoun that gets the first letter capitalized, no matter what, is "I".

Steny '08!

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Could You tell me, if there is gramatically and correctly ... an example: "Would You mind", "Can I help You", etc.[/nq]
[nq:1]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless the first letter would be capitalized were it any other word.[/nq]
Let's consider "Could You tell me" sentence. Is it correct? If I understand you clearly, I can set letter to be capital after another word, which begin as a capital one?
X.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Hi, Could You tell me, if there is gramatically and ... an example: "Would You mind", "Can I help You", etc.[/nq]
[nq:1]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless the first letter would be capitalized were it any other word. The only personal pronoun that gets the first letter capitalized, no matter what, is "I".[/nq]
Howzabout when the "You" is a deity?
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" (Email Removed) Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]above[/nq]
[nq:2]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless the first letter would be capitalized were it any other word.[/nq]
[nq:1]Let's consider "Could You tell me" sentence. Is it correct? If I understand you clearly, I can set letter to be capital after another word, which begin as a capital one?[/nq]
Not in ordinary written English. You might find it in advertising slogans where every word had an initial capital - "Fatso's - Where You Can Eat For Less!" You might, as Spehro says, capitalise it in a prayer - "O Lord, I beg You to help me". And it might be capitalised if it were part of the title of a book. If you're addressing someone in a letter or in an email, or reporting normal dialogue, it's wrong to capitalise You unless it's the first word of a sentence.

Katy Jennison
spamtrap: remove the first two letters after the @

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]above[/nq]
No.
[nq:2]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless thefirst letter would be capitalized were it any other word.[/nq]
[nq:1]Let's consider "Could You tell me" sentence. Is it correct?[/nq]
No.
[nq:1]If I understand you clearly, I can set letter to be capital after another word, whichbegin as a capital one?[/nq]
No.
Adrian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]above[/nq]
[nq:2]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", unless the first letter would be capitalized were it any other word.[/nq]
[nq:1]Let's consider "Could You tell me" sentence. Is it correct? If I understand you clearly, I can set letter to be capital after another word, which begin as a capital one?[/nq]
Yes, if I understand you correctly. "Could You Tell Me" is conceivably correct for example, if it were the title of a book or song or the like. But it's difficult to imagine a scenario under which "Could You tell me" is correct. "You" does not get the "y" capitalized merely by virtue of its being the pronoun "you", if you follow me. Don't capitalize the "y" unless you'd capitalize it if the word were something entirely different (e.g., if the first word of a sentence is "you", then capitalize the "y").

Steny '08!

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]It is incorrect to capitalize the first letter of "you", ... gets the first letter capitalized, no matter what, is "I".[/nq]
[nq:1]Howzabout when the "You" is a deity?[/nq]
I'd use "Thou" or "Thee" in that case.

Steny '08!

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Yes, if I understand you correctly. "Could You Tell Me" is conceivably correct for example, if it were the ... the word were something entirely different (e.g., if the first word of a sentence is "you", then capitalize the "y").[/nq]
Now I understand it at all, I guess

Thanks,
X.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hi, Could You tell me, if there is gramatically and correctly to use first letter of word "You" capitalized? Especially within expressions like above written, an example: "Would You mind", "Can I help You", etc.[/nq]
Sure, why the **** not? If "I" has to be capitalized, why not randomly capitalize other pronouns?
The only coherent non-typographical justification I've heard for "I" is that it refers unambiguously to the writer - does not "you" also refer unambiguously to the reader?
(and if we're seriously going to hang onto the old typographical justification, we should always put periods and commas inside quotes - they might fall off the end of the line otherwise)

Note: this isn't actual advice on how the rules actually are - merely a statement on the illogic of this language. Don't try this at home. "You" is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence, or when the text is in title case or all caps, or optionally when the word is used in reference to a deity (ask your local priest). And, additionally, "I" is always capitalized - as much as I may rail against such silly and pointless rules, I know what they are and how they apply.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Howzabout when the "You" is a deity?[/nq]
[nq:1]I'd use "Thou" or "Thee" in that case.[/nq]
I wouldn't.

Familiarity breeds contempt, and all that.

Capital letters.

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