should december be capitalized

Flare Clodier Vamd

2 min read

·

03-12-2024

8

0

Share

Should "December" Be Capitalized? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to capitalize "December" (and other months) often arises, especially for those working with writing or editing. The answer, thankfully, is relatively straightforward, but understanding the why behind the rule is crucial for consistent and correct capitalization.

The Rule: Always Capitalize Months

The simple answer is yes, "December" should always be capitalized. This applies to all months of the year in English. This rule is a standard convention of English grammar and style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook.

Why Capitalize Months?

While there's no single definitive historical reason, the capitalization of months likely stems from their proper noun status. Proper nouns, which name specific people, places, or things, are conventionally capitalized. Months, being specific names within a larger system (the calendar year), are considered proper nouns. Think of it similarly to capitalizing names of days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.).

Exceptions and Considerations:

• When used in a title: Months are always capitalized when appearing in titles or headings, regardless of their position. For example: "December's Festivities" or "Planning Your December Vacation."
• When part of a longer phrase: If "December" is part of a longer established phrase that is not considered a proper noun, it may not be capitalized. Consider the difference between "the December holidays" (capitalized) and "the December 2024 holidays" (where "December 2024" functions as a proper noun and is thus capitalized). This nuance is best understood through observation and practice.
• In informal writing: While proper capitalization is always preferred for clarity and consistency, very informal writing (such as a personal note or text message) might sometimes disregard this rule. However, it's best to adhere to standard capitalization in formal settings like academic papers, business correspondence, or published works.

Practical Examples:

• Correct: December is my favorite month. We're planning a trip in December. The December issue of the magazine is now available.
• Incorrect: december is my favorite month. we're planning a trip in december. the december issue of the magazine is now available.

Further Clarification and Research

While no specific Sciencedirect articles directly address the capitalization of "December," general grammar and style guides readily available online provide definitive answers. Searching for "English grammar capitalization rules" or "proper noun capitalization" on search engines will yield comprehensive results. Furthermore, consult style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style or Associated Press Stylebook for detailed guidance on capitalization in different contexts.

Conclusion:

Consistency in capitalization is key to clear and professional writing. Always capitalize the names of months, including December, to ensure your writing adheres to established grammatical conventions. Remember that while the rule is straightforward, understanding the reasoning behind it helps in applying the rule correctly across various writing scenarios.