Grammatically Correct 1/18/05
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
When to Capitalize Academic Subjects
by David Felts
Capitalizing academic subject correctly allows for clearer meaning.

Capitalize academic subjects only when referring to the specific course's full name and number.

Ex: The Literature 2401 class doesn't have enough students in it.
Ex: I need to write my research proposal for my literature class this weekend.

Capitalize names of academic subjects that relate to languages.

Ex: I studied history last year, but this year I intend to study English.
Ex: Studying Spanish has greatly improved by communication skills.

Recommended Grammar Website of the Week
by David Felts
In addition to our website, www.uhv.edu/ac, this week we are recommending Guide to Grammar and Writing: Capitalization. This site has all the capitalization rules, even those for emails. It also has a quiz to reinforce the stated rules.

Visit Guide to Grammar and Writing: Capitalization at http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/capitals.htm.

Test Your Knowledge
by David Felts
Test your understanding of capitalization of academic subjects by correcting the following sentences.

1. My english class was very helpful in improving my writing.

2. The last class I need in order to graduate is history 4620.

3. In Mexico, I studied spanish and was not able to use english.

4. We learned all about cells in my biology class.

Answers

1. My English class was very helpful in improving my writing.

2. The last class I need in order to graduate is History 4620.

3. In Mexico, I studied Spanish and was not able to use English.

4. We learned all about cells in my biology class. (No change is needed.)

 

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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