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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
CAPITALISATION
Hi Gurus
Would there ever be a circumstance where a Proper Noun would drop the initial capital, say if it were to become an adjective. For example, I have seen 'english' but I am not certain of the context.
Would there ever be a circumstance where a Proper Noun would drop the initial capital, say if it were to become an adjective. For example, I have seen 'english' but I am not certain of the context.
Top answer
English is always written with a capital E. english could be a typo or a mistake made by careless writers.
- English is always written with a capital E.
- english could be a typo or a mistake made by careless writers.
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6 Answers
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English is always written with a capital E. english could be a typo or a mistake made by careless writers.
00
Hello Anon
In plant names, a proper noun will often be de-capitalised, e.g. "herb robert".
Some proper-name-derived adjectives may also lose their initial capital, in some combinations, e.g. "french windows".
I've no doubt there are other cases!
MrP
In plant names, a proper noun will often be de-capitalised, e.g. "herb robert".
Some proper-name-derived adjectives may also lose their initial capital, in some combinations, e.g. "french windows".
I've no doubt there are other cases!
MrP
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MrP
If I understand you correctly, would 'english breakfast' be correct?
If I understand you correctly, would 'english breakfast' be correct?
00
English breakfast is with capital E in any reference book I looked. Maybe there is an english in some specific combinations that I am not aware of; in that case other members would give you examples, if there are any.
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Hello CC
Only some proper nouns (or adjectives derived from them) lose their initial capital; and not all dictionaries would present "french windows" without one. I'm in agreement with LL about "english": there don't seem to be any examples.
There are plenty of nouns and verbs derived from proper names that have lost their capital, though: "to boycott" and "martinet", for example
Only some proper nouns (or adjectives derived from them) lose their initial capital; and not all dictionaries would present "french windows" without one. I'm in agreement with LL about "english": there don't seem to be any examples.
There are plenty of nouns and verbs derived from proper names that have lost their capital, though: "to boycott" and "martinet", for example
00
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