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Snarf Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Noun Capitalization Query: Bishop, Reverend, Deacon

If referring to a specific bishop, should "the Bishop" be capitalized, since it becomes a proper noun rather than a common one? And does the same thing apply to "the reverend" or "the deacon"?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Reverend and bishop are titles just like doctor or professor. Thus, when referring to a specific person they should be capitalized; however, when speaking generally about a reverend or a doctor then they are not capitalized. But it all depends on sentence structure as well.

— KJinCali79

  • Reverend and bishop are titles just like doctor or professor.
  • Thus, when referring to a specific person they should be capitalized; however, when speaking generally about a reverend or a doctor then they are not capitalized.
  • But it all depends on sentence structure as well.
  • " non-capitalized title after a person's name.
  • " -- direct address taking the place of a name is capitalized.
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5 Answers
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Reverend and bishop are titles just like doctor or professor. Thus, when referring to a specific person they should be capitalized; however, when speaking generally about a reverend or a doctor then they are not capitalized. But it all depends on sentence structure as well.

"Bishop Smith will be speaking today." -- capitalized title before a person's name
"Johann Smith, bishop of X
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What about in cases like this?

The Reverend will be speaking now.
I saw the Deacon at the store.
The Bishop turned on the light in his room.

Is it right to capitalize all of them because a specific person is being spoken of, even
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SnarfIf referring to a specific bishop, should "the Bishop" be capitalized
In The dog is asleep, I am referring to a specific dog, but that doesn’t make it a proper noun.

However, you, the author, have the power to bend some of the everyday rules of capitalization. In the fantasy novel Upland Outlaws, for example, the author makes his ow
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SnarfWhat about in cases like this? The Reverend will be speaking now.I saw the Deacon at the store.The Bishop turned on the light in his room.Is it right to capitalize all of them because a specific person is being spoken of, even though there is no name beside them?Thanks.
None of those should be capitalised.

Rover
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Rover_KENone of those should be capitalised.
Not normally, but some rules can be bent in the fiction world.
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