Capitalization Rules for School Subjects and Class Names: A Comprehensive Guide
When writing about school subjects and class names, one might wonder whether to capitalize these terms or not. The rules may seem unclear, but with a bit of understanding, you can navigate them with ease. This guide covers the capitalization rules for school subjects and specific class names, providing clear examples to help you write correctly.
When to Capitalize School Subjects
Generally, you do not need to capitalize school subjects unless they are the names of specific languages. For instance, mathematics, chemistry, and biology are not capitalized. However, if you are referring to a language, you should capitalize the name of the language. Here are some examples:
Math and chemistry do not need to be capitalized. French and Spanish should be capitalized as they are the names of specific languages.When to Capitalize Class Names
When discussing specific classes or courses, you should capitalize the names. This applies to class titles and course names. Here are a few examples:
Math 241 or Chemistry 100 should be capitalized. Course titles such as Introduction to Discrete Mathematics should be fully capitalized. For specific classes, like History of the French Revolution and Childhood Psychology, always capitalize.Examples of Proper Usage
The following examples illustrate when to capitalize school subjects and class names:
Im taking algebra this semester. He had always hated biology and chemistry. He decided to take two philosophy classes his senior year. She studied psychology in college. They had English together two years in a row. He is hoping to take French next year. She was really enjoying geometry. She challenged herself by taking Physics 301. His first year in college he took Philosophy of Language, Math 101, and Educational Psychology.Why Capitalize Certain Terms?
The rules of capitalization for school subjects and class names can sometimes seem confusing. Why would you want to capitalize certain terms? For instance, in the sentence, "Is German your native tongue?" German is capitalized because it is a proper noun, referring to the language German. In English, only proper nouns are capitalized, and languages are considered proper nouns.
However, in the sentence, "Are you taking Math 201 next semester" and "My favorite subject has always been math," both are correct. This is where English can be tricky. Whether to capitalize "math" depends on the context. If "Math 201" is the name of a specific class, then it should be capitalized. If "math" is used as a general term, it should not be capitalized.
Conclusion
Understanding the capitalization rules for school subjects and class names is crucial for clear and effective communication. Follow these guidelines to ensure your writing is accurate and adheres to the conventions of English grammar. Whether you are writing about algebra, French, or Math 201, use the appropriate capitalization to convey your meaning correctly.