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JasonMel Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

How should I address you, my Prince?

"A prince is the son of a king."

The word "prince" there should not be capitalized, since it's not used as part of someone's title.

"The person who will inherit the throne of England is Prince Charles."

Here, "Prince" is capitalized because "Prince Charles" is someone's title, and as such, a proper noun.

"The song 'Purple Rain' was written by Prince."

Here, "Prince" is capitalized because it's someone's name.

Here are the cases about which I'm uncertain:

Case 1: "Hey, there you are, Prince Ralph. What can I get for you, Prince?"
Case 2: "Hey, there you are, Prince Ralph. What can I get for you, my Prince?"

In each sentence, the latter of the two instances of "prince" do not use the full title, but they are used to directly address the prince. Should they be capitalized?
  

Top answer

" The word "prince" there should not be capitalized, since it's not used as part of someone's title. " Here, "Prince" is capitalized because "Prince Charles" is someone's title, and as such, a proper noun. " Here, "Prince" is capitalized because it's someone's name.

  • " The word "prince" there should not be capitalized, since it's not used as part of someone's title.
  • " Here, "Prince" is capitalized because "Prince Charles" is someone's title, and as such, a proper noun.
  • " Here, "Prince" is capitalized because it's someone's name.
  • Here are the cases about which I'm uncertain: Case 1: "Hey, there you are, Prince Ralph.
  • " S eems clear to me that it is used as a title here.
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2 Answers
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Hi,
A prince is the son of a king."

The word "prince" there should not be capitalized, since it's not used as part of someone's title.

"The person who will inherit the throne of England is Prince Charles."

Here, "Prince" is capitalized because "Prince Charles" is someone's title, and as such, a proper nou
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Rethinking this, isn't it analogous to the phrase "my Lord"? Surely in both the sentences

Case 1: "Hey, there you are, Lord Ralph. What can I get for you, Lord?"
Case 2: "Hey, there you are, Lord Ralph. What can I get for you, my Lord?"


the word "Lord" should be capitalized?

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