[U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual]
[Chapter 4 - Capitalization Examples]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


A                                      
A-bomb                                   
abstract B, 1, etc.                     
Academy:                                 
  Air Force; the Academy                 
  Andover; the academy                   
  Coast Guard; the Academy               
  Merchant Marine; the Academy           
  Military; the Academy                    
  National Academy of Sciences; the    
    Academy of Sciences; the academy      
  Naval; the Academy                      
  but service academies                 
  accord, Paris peace (see Agreement)   
  accords, Helsinki                    
  Act (Federal, State, or foreign),     
       short or popular title or           
       with number; the act:            
     Appropriations                       
     Classification                       
     Clear Skies                         
     Economy                               
     Flood Control                        
     Military Selective Service            
     No Child Left Behind               
     Organic Act of Virgin Islands           
     Panama Canal                       
     PATRIOT                                
     Revenue                                
     Sarbanes-Oxley                         
     Stockpiling                          
     Tariff                                   
     Trademark                            
     Walsh-Healey Act; but  Walsh-Healey 
       law (or bill)       
act, labor-management relations         
Acting, if part of capitalized title   
Active Duty                             
Adjutant General, the (see The)         
Administration, with name; capitalized 
  standing alone if Federal unit:
  Farmers Home 
  Food and Drug
  Maritime
  Transportation Security 
  but Bush administration; 
    administration bill, policy, etc. 
Administrative Law Judge Davis; Judge 
  Davis; an administrative law judge 
Admiralty, British, etc. 
Admiralty, Lord of the 
Adobe Acrobat Reader 
Adviser, Legal (Department of State) 
Africa: 
  east
  East Coast
  north
  South
  South-West (Territory of)
  West Coast
African-American (see Black; Negro)
Agency, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to 
    Federal unit: 
  Central Intelligence; the Agency 
  Chippewa (Indian); the agency 
agent orange
  Age(s):
    Age of Discovery 
    Dark Age
    Elizabethan Age
    Golden Age (of Pericles only) 
    Middle Ages 
    but atomic age; Cambrian age; copper 
      age; ice age; missile age; rocket age; 
      space age; stone  age; etc.
Agreement, with name; the agreement: 
  General Agreement on Tariff's and 
    Trade (GATT); the general agreement
  International Wheat Agreement; the    
    wheat agreement; the coffee agreement                            
    North American Free-Trade               
      Agreement (NAFTA)                     
    Status of Forces; but status-of-forces                      
      agreements                           
    United States-Canada Free-Trade          
      Agreement; the free-trade agreement     
    but the Geneva agreement; the Potsdam  
      agreement; Paris peace agreement       
Air Force:                                   
  Air National Guard (see National)       
  Base (with name); Air Force base (see 
    Base; Station)                            
  Civil Air Patrol; Civil Patrol; the patrol          
  Command (see Command)                                                     
  One (Presidential plane)
  Reserve
  Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Airport: La Guardia; Reagan National; 
  the airport
Al Jazeera  
Alaska Native (collective term for Aleuts, 
  Eskimos, Inuits, and Indians of 
  Alaska):
the Native; but Ohio native, a
  native of Alaska, etc. 
Alliance, Farmers', etc.; the alliance 
alliances and coalitions (see also powers):
  Allied Powers; the powers (World
    Wars I and II)
  Atlantic alliance
  Axis, the; Axis Powers; the powers
  Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands,
   Luxembourg)   
  Big Four (European); of the Pacific
  Big Three
  Central Powers; the powers (World 
    War I) 
  Coalition of the Willing 
  European Economic Community
  Fritalux (France, Italy, Benelux 
   countries)   
  North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
    (see Organization)
   Western Powers 
Allied (World Wars I and II): 
  armies
  Governments
  Nations 
  peoples 
  Powers; the powers; but European 
    powers
  Supreme Allied Commander 
Allies, the (World Wars I and II); also
  members of Western bloc (political 
  entity); but our allies; weaker allies, 
  etc. 
Al Qaeda
Alzheimer's disease
Ambassador: 
  British, etc.; the Ambassador; the 
    Senior Ambassador; His Excellency  
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary;
    the Ambassador; Ambassador at 
  Large; an ambassador 
amendment: 
  Baker amendment
  Social Security Amendments of 1983; 
    1983 amendments; the Social Security 
    amendments; the amendments
  to the Constitution (U.S.); but First
    Amendment, 14th Amendment, etc.;  
    the Amendment 
American: 
  Federation of Labor and Congress of 
    Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO);
    the federation
  Gold Star Mothers, Inc.; Gold Star 
    Mothers; a Mother
  Legion (see Legion)
  National Red Cross; the Red Cross
  Veterans of World War II (AMVETS)
  War Mothers; a Mother 
  AmeriCorps Program
  Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger 
    Corporation) 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; a
   Mason; a Freemason                           
Annex, if part of name of building; the 
  annex                                     
Antarctic Ocean (see Arctic; Ocean)             
appendix 1, A, II, etc.; the appendix; but                               
  Appendix II, when part of title:      
  Appendix II:\1\ Education Directory      
appropriation bill (see also bill):           
  deficiency                                    
  Department of Agriculture                      
  or any governmental unit                  
  independent offices                          
aquaculture; acquiculture                        
Arab States                                 
Arabic numerals                             
Arboretum, National; the Arboretum            
Archipelago, Philippine, etc.; the          
  archipelago                                  
Architect of the Capitol; the Architect     
Archivist of the United States;            
  the Archivist                           
Arctic:                                       
  Circle                                      
  Current (see Current)                         
  Ocean                                        
  zone                                           
  but subarctic                              
arctic (descriptive adjective):                  
  clothing                                
  conditions                              
  fox                                     
  grass                                       
  night                                     
  seas                                      
Area, if part of name; the area:            
  Cape Hatteras Recreational                
  White Pass Recreation; etc.                       
  but area 2; free trade area; Metropolitan            
    Washington area; bay area;                                              
    nonsmoking area
Arlington:
  Memorial Amphitheater; the Memorial

  \1\The colon is preferred; a dash is permissible; 
but a comma is too weak. 

    Amphitheater; the amphitheater
  Memorial Bridge (see Bridge)
  National Cemetery (see Cemetery)
Arm, Infantry, etc. (military); the arm
Armed Forces (synonym for overall
    Military Establishment):
  British
  Retirement Home (AFRT) 
  of the United States 
armed services
armistice
Armory, Springfield, etc.; the armory 
Army, American or foreign, if part of name; 
    capitalized standing alone only if 
    referring to U.S. Army:
  Active; Active-Duty
  Adjutant General, the
  All-Volunteer
  Band (see Band) 
  branches; Gordon Highlanders; Royal
    Guards; etc. 
  Brigade, 1st, etc.; the brigade;
    Robinson's brigade 
  Command (see Command) 
  Command and General Staff College
    (see College) 
  Company A; A Company; the company 
  Confederate (referring to Southern
    Confederacy); the Confederates 
  Continental; Continentals 
  Corps, Reserve (see Corps) 
  District of Washington (military); the
    district 
  Division, 1st, etc.; the division 
  Engineers (the Corps of Engineers); the
    Engineers; but Army engineer 
  Establishment 
  Field Establishment 
  Field Forces (see Forces) 
  Finance Department; the Department 
  1st, etc. 
  General of the Army; but the general  

 
  General Staff; the Staff                    
  Headquarters, 1st Regiment                  
  Headquarters of the; the headquarters     
  Regiment, 1st, etc.; the regiment         
  Regular Army officer; a Regular           
  Revolutionary (American, British,
    French, etc.)
  service 
  Surgeon General, the (see Surgeon
    General) 
  Volunteer; the Volunteers; a Volunteer 
army: 
  Lee's army; but Clark's 5th Army 
  mobile 
  mule, shoe, etc. 
  of occupation; occupation army 
  Red 
Arsenal, Rock Island, etc.; the arsenal 
article 15; but Article 15, when part of title: 
    Article 15: Uniform Code of  
    Military Justice 
Articles: 
  of Confederation (U.S.) 
  of Impeachment; the articles 
Asian (see Orient, the; oriental) 
Assembly (see United Nations) 
Assembly of New York; the assembly (see 
    also Legislative Assembly) 
Assistant, if part of capitalized title; the
    assistant 
assistant, Presidential (see Presidential) 
Assistant Secretary (see Secretary) 
Associate Justice (see Supreme Court) 
Association, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to  
    Federal unit: 
  American Association for the 
    Advancement of Science; the
    association 
  Federal National Mortgage (Fannie  
    Mae); the Association 
  Young Women's Christian; the  
    association 
Astrophysical Observatory (see
  Observatory) 
Atlantic (see also Pacific):
  Charter (see Charter)
  coast
  Coast States
  community 
  Destroyer Flotilla; the destroyer flotilla;
    the flotilla
  Fleet (see Fleet)
  mid-Atlantic
  North
  seaboard
  slope
  South 
  time, standard time (see time) 
  but cisatlantic; transatlantic 
Attorney General (U.S. or foreign country); 
    but attorney general of Maine, etc. 
attorney, U.S. 
Authority, capitalized standing alone if 
    referring to Federal unit: 
  National Shipping; the Authority 
  Port Authority of New York and New 
    Jersey; the port authority; the
    authority 
  St. Lawrence Seaway Authority of
    Canada; the authority
  Tennessee Valley; the Authority 
Auto Train (Amtrak) 
autumn 
Avenue, Constitution, etc.; the avenue 
Award:
  Academy
  Distinguished Service
  Merit 
  Mother of the Year 
  the award (see also decorations, etc.) 
Axis, the (see alliances) 
Ayatollah; an ayatollah 
B 
Badlands (SD and NE) 
Balkan States (see States) 
Baltic States (see States) 
Band, if part of name; the band: 
  Army, Marine, Navy 
  Eastern, etc. (of Cherokee Indians) 
Bank, if part of name; the bank; capitalized 
  standing alone if referring to  
  international bank: 
 Export-Import Bank of the United States; 
   Ex-Im Bank; the Bank 
 Farm Loan Bank of Dallas; Dallas Farm 
   Loan Bank; farm loan bank; farm loan  
   bank at Dallas 
 Farmers & Mechanics, etc. 
 Federal Land Bank of Louisville; 
   Louisville Federal Land Bank; land 
   bank at Louisville; Federal land bank 
 Federal Reserve Bank of New York; 
  Richmond Federal Reserve Bank; 
  but Reserve bank at Richmond; 
  Federal Reserve bank; Reserve  
  bank; Reserve city 
 First National, etc. 
 German Central; the Bank 
 International Bank for Reconstruction 
  and Development; the Bank 
 but blood bank, central reserve, soil bank 
Bar, if part of name; Maryland (State) Bar 
  Association; Maryland (State) bar; the 
  State bar; the bar association 
Barracks, if part of name; the barracks: 
  Carlisle 
  Disciplinary (Leavenworth) 
  Marine (District of Columbia) 
  but A barracks; barracks A; etc. 
Base, Andrews Air Force; Air Force base;  
  the base (see also Naval); but Sandia  
  Base 
Basin (see geographic terms) 
Battery, the (New York City) 
Battle, if part of name; the battle: 
  of Gettysburg; but battle at Gettysburg;  
    etc. 
  of the Bulge; of the Marne; of the 
    Wilderness; of Waterloo; etc. 
battlefield, Bull Run, etc. 
battleground, Manassas, etc. 
Bay, San Francisco Bay area; the bay area 
Belt, if part of name; the belt:
  Bible
  Farm
  Rust
  Sun 
  but money belt 
Beltway, capitalized with name; the beltway 
Bench (see Supreme Bench) 
Benelux (see alliances) 
Bible; Biblical; Scriptures; Ten 
  Commandments; etc. (see also book) 
bicentennial 
bill, Kiess; Senate bill 217; House bill 31 (see 
    also appropriation bill) 
Bill of Rights (historic document); but GI
    bill of rights 
Bizonia; bizonal; bizone 
Black (see African-American; Negro) 
Black Caucus (see Congressional) 
bloc (see Western) 
block (grants) 
Bluegrass region, etc. 
B'nai B'rith 
Board, if part of name; capitalized standing 
    alone only if referring to Federal or
    international board: 
  Employees' Compensation Appeals 
  Federal Reserve (see Federal) 
  Military Production and Supply
    (NATO) 
  National Labor Relations 
  of Directors (Federal unit); but board of
    directors (nongovernmental) 
  of Health of Montgomery County; 
    Montgomery County Board of Health; 
    the board of health; the board 
  of Regents (Smithsonian) 
  of Visitors (Military and Naval
    Academies) 
  on Geographic Names
  Railroad Retirement 
bond: 
  Government 
  savings 
  series EE 
  Treasury 
book:
  books of the Bible 
  First Book of Samuel; etc. 
  Good Book (synonym for Bible) 
book 1, I, etc.; but Book 1, when part of title:  
  Book 1: The Golden Legend 
Boolean: 
  logic 
  operator 
  search 
border, United States-Mexican 
Borough, if part of name: Borough of the  
    Bronx; the borough 
Botanic Garden (National); the garden (not  
    Botanical Gardens) 
Bowl, Dust, Rose, Super, etc.; the bowl 
Boy Scouts (the organization); a Boy Scout; 
    a Scout; Scouting; Eagle Scout;  
    Explorer Scout 
Branch, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone only if referring to a  
    Federal unit: 
  Accounts 
  Public Buildings 
  but executive, judicial, or legislative  
    branch 
Bridge, if part of name; the bridge: 
  Arlington Memorial; Memorial; 
  Francis Scott Key; Key 
  but Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge 
Brother(s) (adherent of religious order) 
  budget: 
    department 
    estimate 
    Federal 
    message 
    performance-type 
    President's 
Budget of the United States Government,  
    the Budget (publication) 
Building, if part of name; the building: 
  Capitol (see Capitol Building) 
  Colorado House (or Senate) Office 
  Investment 
  New House (or Senate) Office 
  Old House Office 
  Pentagon 
  the National Archives; the Archives 
  Treasury; Treasury Annex 
Bulletin 420; Farmers' Bulletin No. 420 
Bureau, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal  
    or international unit: 
  of Customs (name changed to U.S. 
    Customs and Border Protection) 
  of Engraving and Printing of Indian Affairs
 
C 
C-SPAN 
Cabinet, American or foreign, if part of 
    name or standing alone (see also  
    foreign cabinets): 
  British Cabinet; the Cabinet 
  the President's Cabinet; the Cabinet; 
    Cabinet officer, member 
Calendar, if part of name; the calendar: 
  Consent; etc. 
  House 
  No. 99; Calendars Nos. 1 and 2 
  of Bills and Resolutions 
  Private 
  Senate 
  Unanimous Consent 
  Union 
  Wednesday (legislative) 
Cambrian age (see Ages) 
Camp Lejeune; David, etc.; the camp 
Canal, with name; the canal:
  Cross-Florida Barge 
  Isthmian
  Panama 
Cape (see geographic terms) 
Capital, Capital City, National Capital
  (Washington, DC); but the capital  
  (State) 
Capitol Building (with State name); the  
  capitol 
Capitol, the (Washington, DC): 
  Architect of 
  Building 
  caucus room 
  Chamber 
  Cloakroom 
  dome 
  Grounds 
  Halls (House and Senate) 
  Halls of Congress 
  Hill; the Hill 
  Police (see Police) 
  Power Plant 
  Prayer Room 
  Press Gallery, etc. 
  rotunda 
  Senate wing 
  stationery room 
  Statuary Hall 
  the well (House or Senate) 
  west front 
catch-22 
Caucasian (see White) 
caucus: Republican; but Congressional 
    Black Caucus (incorporated name);
    Sun Belt Caucus 
CD-ROM 
Cemetery, if part of name: Arlington
    National; the cemetery 
Census: 
  Twenty-third Decennial (title); 
    Twenty-third (title); the census 
  2000 census 
  2000 Census of Agriculture; the census 
    of agriculture; the census 
  the 23d and subsequent decennial 
    censuses 
Center, if part of name; the Center 
    (Federal); the center (non-Federal): 
  Agricultural Research, etc.; the Center  
    (Federal) 
  Kennedy Center for the Performing 
    Arts; the Kennedy Center; the  
    Center (Federal) 
  the Lincoln Center; the center (non-
    Federal) 
central Asia, etc. 
Central America 
Central Europe 
Central States 
central time (see time) 
century, first, 21st, etc. 
Chair, the, if personified 
Chairman, Chairwoman, Chair: 
  of the Board of Directors; the  
      Chairman (Federal); but chairman of 
      the board of directors (non-Federal) 
  of the Committee of the Whole House;  
      the Chairman 
  of the Federal Trade Commission; the  
      Chairman 
  Vice 
chairman, chairwoman, chair
      (congressional): 
  of the Appropriations Committee 
  of the Subcommittee on Banking 
  but Chairman Davis, Chairwoman
      Landrieu 
  Chamber of Commerce; the chamber: 
    of Ada; Ada Chamber of Commerce; 
      the chamber of commerce 
    of the United States; U.S. Chamber of 
      Commerce; the chamber of  
      commerce; national chamber 
Chamber, the (Senate or House) 
channel 3 (TV); the channel 
Chaplain (House or Senate); but Navy  chaplain 
chapter 5, II, etc.; but Chapter 5, when 
    part of title: Chapter 5: Research and  
    Development; Washington chapter,  
    Red Cross 
Chargï¿½ d'Affaires, British, etc.; the Chargï¿½ 
    d'Affaires; the Chargï¿½
chart 2, A, II, etc.; but Chart 2, when part of 
    legend: Chart 2.--Army strength 
Charter, capitalized with name; the charter: 
  Atlantic 
  United Nations 
cheese: Camembert, Cheddar, Parmesan,   
    Provolone, Roquefort, etc. 
Chief, if referring to head of Federal unit;
    the Chief: 
  Clerk 
  Forester (see Forester) 
  Intelligence Office 
  Judge Justice (U.S. Supreme Court); but chief 
    justice (of a State) 
Magistrate (the President) 
of Division of Publications 
of Engineers (Army) 
of Naval Operations
of Staff 
Christian; Christendom; Christianity;
    Christianize; but christen 
church and state 
church calendar:
  Christmas
  Easter
  Lent
  Pentecost (Whitsuntide) 
Church, if part of name of organization or  
    building 
Circle, if part of name; the circle: 
  Arctic 
  Logan 
  but great circle 
Circular 420 
cities, sections of, official or popular names: 
  East Side 
  French Quarter (New Orleans) 
  Latin Quarter (Paris) 
  North End 
  Northwest Washington, etc. (District 
    of Columbia); the Northwest; but  
    northwest (directional) 
  the Loop (Chicago) 
City, if part of corporate or popular name;
    the city: 
  Kansas City; the two Kansas Citys 
  Mexico City 
  New York City; but city of New York 
  Twin Cities 
  Washington City; but city of Washington 
  Windy City (Chicago) 
  but Reserve city (see Bank) 
civil action No. 46 
civil defense 
Civil War (see War) Clan, if part of tribal name; Clan
    MacArthur; the clan 
class 2, A, II, etc.; but Class 2 when part of 
    title: Class 2: Leather Products 
Clerk, the, of the House of Representatives; 
    of the Supreme Court of the United  
    States 
clerk, the, of the Senate 
client 
client/server 
coal sizes: pea, barley, buckwheat, stove, etc. 
coalition; coalition force; coalition 
    members, etc. 
coast: Atlantic, east, gulf, west, etc. 
Coast Guard, U.S.; the Coast Guard;
    Coastguardsman Smith; but a   
    coastguardsman; a guardsman;  
    Reserve 
Coastal Plain (Atlantic and Gulf) 
Code (in shortened title of a publication);
    the code:
  District
  Federal Criminal 
  Internal Revenue (also Tax Code)
  International (signal) 
  of Federal Regulations 
  Penal; Criminal; etc. 
  Pennsylvania State 
  Radio 
  Television 
  Uniform Code of Military Justice 
  United States 
  ZIP Code (copyrighted) 
  but civil code; flag code; Morse code 
codel (congressional delegation) 
collection, Brady, etc.; the collection 
collector of customs 
College, if part of name; the college: 
  Armed Forces Staff 
  Command and General Staff
  Gettysburg
  National War
  of Bishops 
  but electoral college 
college degrees: bachelor of arts, master's,  
    etc. 
Colonials (American Colonial Army); but  
    colonial times, etc. 
Colonies, the: 
  Thirteen 
  Thirteen American 
  Thirteen Original 
  but 13 separate Colonies 
colonists, the 
Command, capitalize with name; the
    command: 
  Air Force Materiel
  Army
  Central (CENCOM)
  Naval Space 
  Zone of Interior 
Commandant, the (Coast Guard or Marine  
    Corps only) 
Commandos, the; Commando raid; a 
    commando 
Commission (if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal  
    or international commission): 
  International Boundary, United States  
    and Canada 
  of Fine Arts
  Public Buildings 
Commissioner, if referring to Federal or  
    international commission; the  
    Commissioner: 
  Land Bank; but land bank  
    commissioner loans
  of Customs and Border Protection 
  U.S. (International Boundary
    Commission, etc.) 
  but a U.S. commissioner 
Committee (or Subcommittee) (if part of 
    name; the Committee, if referring to  
    international or noncongressional 
    Federal committee or to the 
    Committee of the Whole, the 
    Committee of the Whole House, or 
    the Committee of the Whole House on 
    the state of the Union): 
  American Medical Association 
    Committee on Education; the 
    committee on education; the  
    committee 
  Appropriations, etc.; the committee; 
    Subcommittee on Appropriations; the 
    subcommittee; subcommittee of the  
    Appropriations Committee 
  Democratic National; the national  
    committee; the committee;   
    Democratic national committeeman 
  Democratic policy committee; the  
    committee 
  Joint Committee on Printing; the Joint  
    Committee; the committee; but a joint  
    committee 
  of Defense Ministers (NATO); the  
    Committee (see also Organization, 
  North Atlantic Treaty) 
  of One Hundred, etc.; the committee 
  on Finance; the committee 
  President's Advisory Committee on
    Management; the Committee 
  Republican National; the national
    committee; the committee; 
    Republican national committeeman 
  Republican policy committee; the
    committee 
  Senate policy committee 
  Subcommittee on Immigration; the
    subcommittee 
  but Baker committee 
  ad hoc committee
  conference committee 
Committee Print No. 32; Committee Prints 
    Nos. 8 and 9; committee print 
Common Cause 
Commonwealth: 
  British Commonwealth; the
    Commonwealth
  of Australia
  of Kentucky
  of Massachusetts
  of Pennsylvania
  of Virginia 
Communist Party; a Communist 
compact, U.S. marine fisheries, etc.; the 
  compact 
Company, if part of name; capitalized 
  standing alone if referring to unit of  
  Federal Government: 
  Panama Canal Railway Company; the   
    Company 
  Procter & Gamble Co.; the company 
Comptroller of the Currency; the
  Comptroller 
Comptroller General (U.S.); the 
Comptroller 
Comsat 
Concord 
Confederacy (of the South) 
Confederate:
  Army
  flag
  Government
  soldier
  States 
Confederation, Articles of 
Conference, if referring to governmental 
    (U.S.) or international conference: 
  Bretton Woods; the Conference 
  Judicial Conference of the United 
    States; U.S. Judicial Conference; 
    Judicial Conference; the Conference 
  Tenth Annual Conference of the 
    United Methodist Churches; the 
  conference 
Congress (convention), if part of name; 
    capitalized standing alone if referring  
    to international congress:
  Library of 
  of Industrial Organizations 
  of Parents and Teachers, National; the
    congress 
Congress (legislature), if referring to
  national congress: 
of Bolivia, etc.; the Congress 
of the United States; First, Second, 
  10th, 103d, etc.; the Congress 
Congressional: 
  Black Caucus; the Black Caucus; the 
  caucus 
  Directory, the directory 
  District, First, 10th, etc.; the First 
   District; the congressional district; the
   district 
  Medal of Honor (see decorations) 
  but congressional action, committee, etc. 
Congressman; Congresswoman; 
  Congressman at Large; Member of  
  Congress; Member; membership 
Conservative Party; a Conservative 
Constitution, with name of country; 
    capitalized standing alone when 
    referring to a specific national  
    constitution; but New York State  
    Constitution; the constitution 
constitutional 
consul, British, general, etc. 
consulate, British, etc. 
Consumer Price Index (official title); the 
    price index; the index; but a 
    consumers' price index (descriptive) 
Continent, only if following name; 
    North American Continent; the 
    continent; but the Continent  
    (continental Europe) 
Continental: 
  Army; the Army 
  Congress; the Congress 
  Divide (see Divide) 
  Outer Continental Shelf 
  Shelf; the shelf; a continental shelf 
continental Europe, United States, etc. 
Continentals (Revolutionary soldiers) 
Convention, governmental (U.S.), 
    international, or national political;  
    the convention: 
  89th National Convention of the  
    American Legion 
  Constitutional (United States, 1787);
    the Convention 
  Democratic National; Democratic 
  Genocide (international) 
  on International Civil Aviation 
  Republican National; Republican 
  Universal Postal Union; Postal Union 
  also International Postal; Warsaw 
copper age (see Ages) 
Corporation, if part of name; the 
    Corporation, if referring to unit of  
    Federal Government:
  Commodity Credit 
  Federal Deposit Insurance 
  National Railroad Passenger (Amtrak) 
  Rand Corp.; the corporation 
  St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
  Union Carbide Corp.; the corporation 
  Virgin Islands 
Corps, if part of name; the corps, all other
    uses:
  Adjutant General's
  Army Reserve
  Chemical 
  diplomatic 
  Finance 
  Foreign Service Officer (see Foreign
    Service)
  Job 
  Judge Advocate Generalï¿½s
  Marine (see Marine Corps)
  Medical
  Military Police
  Nurse 
  of Cadets (West Point) 
  of Engineers; Army Engineers; the
     Engineers; but Army engineer; the
     corps 
  Ordnance 
  Peace; Peace Corpsman; the corpsman 
  Quartermaster 
  Reserve Officers' Training (ROTC) 
  VII Corps, etc. 
  Signal 
  Transportation 
  Youth 
  but diplomatic corps 
corpsman; hospital corpsman 
corridor, Northeast 
Council, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal 
    or international unit (see also United  
    Nations): 
  Boston City; the council 
  Choctaw, etc.; the council 
  Her Majesty's Privy Council; the Privy
    Council; the Council 
  National Security; the Council 
  of Foreign Ministers (NATO); the
    Council 
  of the Organization of American States;  
    the Council 
  Philadelphia City; the council 
counsel; general counsel 
County, Prince Georgeï¿½s; county of Prince 
    George's; County Kilkenny, etc.; 
    Loudoun and Fairfax Counties; the
    county 
Court (of law) capitalized if part of name; 
    capitalized standing alone if referring 
    to the Supreme Court of the United 
    States, to the Court of Impeachment 
    (U.S. Senate), or to an international  
    court: 
  Circuit Court of the United States for the 
    Tenth Circuit; Circuit Court for the 
    Tenth Circuit; the circuit court; the 
    court; the tenth circuit 
  Court of Appeals for the State of North 
    Carolina, etc.; the Tenth Circuit Court 
    of Appeals; the court of appeals; the  
    court 
  Court of Claims; the court 
  Court of Impeachment, the Senate; the  
    Court 
  District Court of the United States for 
    the Eastern District of Missouri; the 
    district court; the court 
  International Court of Justice; the Court 
  Permanent Court of Arbitration; the 
    Court 
  Superior Court of the District of 
    Columbia; the superior court; the  
    court 
  Supreme Court of the United States (see  
    Supreme Court) 
  Supreme Court of Virginia, etc.; the 
    supreme court; the court 
  Tax Court; the court 
  U.S. Court of Appeals for the District 
    of Columbia; the court 
Covenant, League of Nations; the covenant 
Creed, Apostlesï¿½; the Creed 
Crown, if referring to a ruler; but crown  
    colony, lands, etc. 
cruise missile 
Current, if part of name; the current:
  Arctic
  Humboldt
  Japan
  North Equatorial 
customhouse; customs official 
czar; czarist 

D 
Dalai Lama 
Dalles, The; but the Dalles region 
Dark Ages (see Ages) 
Daughters of the American Revolution;
    a Daughter 
daylight saving time 
Declaration, capitalized with name: 
  of Independence; the Declaration 
  of Panama; the declaration 
decorations, medals, etc., awarded by 
    United States or any foreign national 
    government; the medal, the cross, the  
    ribbon (see also Award):
  Air Medal 
  Bronze Star Medal 
  Commendation Ribbon 
  Congressional Medal of Honor 
  Croix de Guerre 
  Distinguished Flying Cross 
  Distinguished Service Cross 
  Distinguished Service Medal 
  Good Conduct Medal 
  Legion of Merit 
  Medal for Merit 
  Medal of Freedom 
  Medal of Honor 
  Mother of the Year 
  Purple Heart 
  Silver Star Medal 
  Soldier's Medal 
  Victoria Cross 
  Victory Medal 
  but oakleaf cluster 
  also Carnegie Medal; Olympic Gold
  Medal; but gold medal 
Decree (see Executive); Royal Decree 
Deep South 
Defense Establishment (see Establishment) 
Deity, words denoting, capitalized 
Delegate (U.S. Congress) 
Delegates, Virginia House of 
delegate (to a conference); the delegate; the
    delegation 
Delta, Mississippi River; the delta 
Democratic Party; a Democrat 
Department, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to a Federal
    or international unit:
  of Agriculture 
  of the Treasury 
  of Veterans Aff airs 
  Yale University Department of 
    Economics; the department of  
    economics; the department 
Department of New York, American  
    Legion 
department: 
  executive 
  judicial 
  legislative 
Depot, if part of name; the depot (see also
    Station) 
Depression, Great 
Deputy, if part of capitalized title; but the
    deputy 
derivatives of proper names: 
  alaska seal (fur)
  angora wool
  angstrom unit
  argyle wool
  artesian well
  astrakhan fabric 
  babbitt metal 
  benday process
  bologna
  bordeaux 
  bourbon whiskey
  bowie knife 
  braille 
  brazil nut 
  brazilwood
  brewer's yeast
  bristol board
  brussel sprouts
  brussels carpet
  bunsen burner
  burley tobacco
  canada balsam
    (microscopy)
  carlsbad twins
    (petrography)
  cashmere shawl 
  castile soap
  cesarean section 
  chantilly lace
  chesterfield coat 
  china clay
  chinese blue 
  collins (drink)
  congo red  
  cordovan leather  
  coulomb  
  curie
  degaussing apparatus
  delftware  
  derby hat 
  diesel engine, dieselize
  dixie cup
  dotted swiss 
  epsom salt
  fedora hat 
  frankfurter 
  french chalk 
  french dressing
  french-fried potatoes
  fuller's earth 
  gargantuan
  gauss
  georgette crepe
  german silver
  gilbert
  glauber salt
  gothic type
  graham cracker
  herculean task
  hessian fly
  holland cloth
  hoolamite detector 
  hudson seal (fur)
  india ink
  india rubber 
  italic type 
  jamaica ginger
  japan varnish
  jersey fabric
  johnin test
  joule
  knickerbocker
  kraft paper
  lambert
  leghorn hat
  levant leather
  levantine silk
  lilliputian
  logan tent
  london purple
  lyonnaise potatoes
  macadamized road 
  mach (no period)
    number
  madras cloth
  maginot line  
    (nonliteral)
  manila paper
  maraschino cherry
  mason jar
  maxwell
  melba toast 
  mercerized fabric
  merino sheep
  molotov cocktail 
  morocco leather  
  morris chair 
  murphy bed
  navy blue
  nelson, half nelson, etc. 
  neon light 
  newton 
  nissen hut 
  norfolk jacket
  oriental rug
  oxford shoe 
  panama hat
  parian ware
  paris green
  parker house roll
  pasteurized milk
  persian lamb
  petri dish 
  pharisaic 
  philistine  
  photostat 
  pitman arm 
  pitot tube 
  plaster of paris 
  prussian blue
  quisling
  quixotic idea  
  quonset hut
  rembert wheel 
  roentgen
  roman candle 
  roman cement 
  roman type 
  russia leather 
  russian bath  
  rutherford
  sanforize  
  saratoga chips 
  scotch plaid, but  
    Scotch tape   
    (trademark)
  shanghai
  siamese twins  
  spanish omelet
  stillson wrench 
  surah silk 
  swiss cheese 
  timothy grass
  turkey red
  turkish towel 
  utopia, utopian
  vandyke collar
  vaseline 
  venetian blind 
  venturi tube 
  victoria (carriage) 
  vienna bread 
  virginia reel
  wedgwood ware
  wheatstone bridge
  wilton rug
  zeppelin  

dial-up 
Diet, Japanese (legislative body) 
diplomatic corps (see also Corps; service) 
Director, if referring to head of Federal or 
    international unit; the Director: 
  District Director of Internal Revenue 
  of Fish and Wildlife Service 
  of National Geodetic Survey 
  of the Mint 
  Office of Management and Budget 
  but director, board of directors
    (nongovernmental) 
Director General of Foreign Service; the 
    Director General; the Director 
diseases and related terms: 
  AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
    syndrome) 
  Alzheimer's disease 
  cerebral palsy 
  Down syndrome 
  German measles 
  HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 
  Hodgkin's disease 
  Lyme disease 
  Marfan's syndrome 
  Mï¿½nierï¿½'s syndrome 
  myasthenia gravis 
  Parkinson's disease 
  Reye's syndrome 
  spina bifida 
Distinguished Service Medal, etc. (see 
    decorations) 
District, if part of name; the district: 
  Alexandria School District No. 4; 
    school district No. 4 
  Congressional (with number) 
  Federal (see Federal) 
  Los Angeles Water; the water district 
  but customs district No. 2; first assembly 
    district; public utility district 
District of Columbia; the District: 
  Anacostia Flats; the flats 
  Arlington Memorial Bridge; the 
    Memorial Bridge; the bridge 
  Children's Hospital; the hospital 
  District jail; the jail; DC jail
  Ellipse, the
  Mall, The National; The Mall 
  Mayor (when pertaining to the District  
    of Columbia only) 
  Metropolitan Police; Metropolitan
    policeman; the police
  police court 
  Public Library; the library
  Reflecting Pool; the pool 
  Tidal Basin; the basin 
  Washington Channel; the channel 
Divide, Continental (Rocky Mountains);  
    the divide 
Divine Father; but divine guidance, divine  
    providence, divine service 
Division, Army, if part of name: 1st Cavalry 
    Division; 1st Air Cavalry Division; the 
    division 
Division, if referring to Federal 
    governmental unit; the Division: 
  Buick Division; the division; a division
    of General Motors 
  Passport; the Division 
  but Trinity River division
    (reclamation); the division 
Dixie 
docket No. 66; dockets Nos. 76 and 77 
Doctrine, Monroe; the doctrine; but
    Truman, Eisenhower doctrine 
doctrine, fairness 
Document, if part of name; the document: 
  Document No. 130 
  Document Numbered One Hundred 
    Thirty 
draconian 
drawing II, A, 3, etc.; but Drawing 2 when 
  part of title: Drawing 2.--
  Hydroelectric Power Development 
Dust Bowl (see Bowl) 

E 
Earth (planet) 
East: 
  Coast (Africa) 
  Middle, Mideast (Asia) 
  Near (Balkans) 
  Side of New York 
  South Central States 
  the East (section of United States) 
east: 
  Africa 
  coast (U.S.) 
  Pennsylvania 
Eastern: 
  Gulf States 
  Middle, Mideastern (Asia) 
  North Central States 
  Shore (Chesapeake Bay) 
  States 
  United States 
eastern: 
  France 
  seaboard 
  Wisconsin 
easterner 
EE-bond 
electoral college; the electors 
Elizabethan Age (see Ages) 
email (lowercase within a sentence) 
Email (uppercase ``E'' to start a sentence) 
Emancipation Proclamation (see
    Proclamation) 
Embassy, British, etc.; the Embassy 
Emperor, Japanese, etc.; the Emperor 
Empire, Roman; the empire 
Engine Company, Bethesda; engine 
    company No. 6; No. 6 engine 
company; the company 
Engineer officer, etc. (of Engineer Corps);
    the Engineers 
Engineers, Chief of (Army) 
Engineers, Corps of (see Corps) 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister 
    Plenipotentiary; the Envoy; the
    Minister 
Equator, the; equatorial 
Establishment, if part of name; the
    establishment:
  Army
  Army Field
  Defense
  Federal
  Military
  Naval; but naval establishment;
    Naval Establishments Regs
  Navy
  Postal
  Regular
  Reserve
  Shore 
  but civil establishment; legislative
    establishment 
Estate, Girard (a foundation); the estate 
estate, third (the commons); fourth 
    (the press); tax; etc. 
Eurodollar, euro 
Excellency, His, Her; Their Excellencies 
Exchange, New York Stock; the stock
    exchange; the exchange 
Executive (President of United States): 
  Chief 
  Decree No. 100; Decree 100; but
    Executive decree; direction 
  Mansion; the mansion; the White House 
  Office; the Office 
  Order No. 34; Order 34; but Executive
    order
  power 
executive: 
  agreement 
  branch 
  communication 
  department 
  document 
  paper 
  privilege 
exhibit 2, A, II, etc.; but Exhibit 2, when 
    part of title: Exhibit 2: Capital  
    Expenditures, 1935-49 
Expedition, Byrd; Lewis and Clark; the  
    expedition 
Exposition, California-Pacific 
    International, etc.; the exposition 

F 
Fair Deal 
Fair, World's, etc.; the fair; Texas State Fair 
fall (season) 
Falls, Niagara; the falls 
Far East, Far Eastern; Far West (U.S.); but
    far western 
Farm, if part of name; the farm: 
    Johnson Farm; but Johnson's farm 
    San Diego Farm 
    Wild Tiger Farm 
Fascist; fascism 
Father of his Country (Washington) 
Fed, the (no period) 
Federal (synonym for United States or other
    sovereign power): 
  Depository Library Program but Federal
    depository library, libraries
  District (Mexico)
  Establishment 
  Government (of any national
    government) 
  grand jury; the grand jury 
  land bank (see Bank) 
  Register (publication); the Register 
  Reserve Board, the Board; also Federal 
    Reserve System, the System; Federal 
    Reserve Board Regulation W, but  
    regulation W 
  but a federal form of government 
federally 
fellow, 
fellowship (academic) 
Field, Byrd, Stewart, etc.; the field 
figure 2, A, II, etc. (illustration); but Figure 
    2, when part of legend: Figure 2.--
    Market scenes 
firewall 
firm names:
  ACDelco 
  America Online (AOL) 
  Bausch & Lomb Inc.
  BP
  Bristol-Myers Squibb 
  Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co.
  Coldwell Banker
  Colgate-Palmolive Co.
  Comcast 
  Dow Jones & Co., Inc. 
  Dun & Bradstreet
  eBay 
  E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
  FedEx
  GlaxoSmithKline 
  Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) 
  Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex, Inc.
  Hartmarx Corp.
  Hewlett-Packard
  Houghton Mifflin Co.
  Ingersoll-Rand Co.
  Intel Corp. 
  J.C. Penney Co., Inc.
  Johns-Manville Corp. 
  Kennecott Exploration Co.
  Kmart
  Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
  Macmillan Co. 
  Merck & Co., Inc.
  Merrill Lynch
  Microsoft
  Pfizer Inc. 
  Phelps Dodge Corp.
  PricewaterhouseCoopers 
  Procter & Gamble Co. 
  Rand McNally & Co.
  Rolls-Royce
  Sun Microsystems
  3M 
  Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
  US Airways
  Wal-Mart
  Weyerhaeuser Co.
  Xerox Corp. 
First Family (Presidential) 
First Lady (wife of President) 
First World War (see War) 
flag code 
flag, U.S.: 
  Old Flag, Old Glory 
  Stars and Stripes
  Star-Spangled Banner 
flags, foreign: 
  Tricolor (French) 
  Union Jack (British) 
  United Nations 
Fleet, if part of name; the fleet: 
  Atlantic 
  Channel 
  Grand 
  High 
  Seas 
  Marine Force 
  Naval Reserve 
  Pacific, etc. (naval) 
  6th Fleet, etc.
  U.S. 
  flex fuel 
  floor (House or Senate) 
  flyway; Canadian flyway, etc. 
  Force(s), if part of name; the force(s):
    Active Forces
    Active-Duty
    Air (see also Air Force)
    All-Volunteer 
    Armed Forces (synonym for overall
      U.S. Military Establishment) 
    Army Field Forces; the Field Forces 
    Fleet Marine 
    Navy Battle (see Navy) 
    Navy Scouting (see Navy); Reserve Force 
    Rapid Deployment 
    Task Force 70; the task force; but task
      force report 
    United Nations Emergency; the 
      Emergency Force; the Force; but 
      United Nations police force 
foreign cabinets: 
  Minister of Foreign Affairs; Foreign 
  Minister; the Minister 
  Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry 
  Office of Foreign Missions; the Office 
  Minister Plenipotentiary 
  Premier 
  Prime Minister 
Foreign Legion (French); the legion 
Foreign Service; the Service: 
  officer 
  Officer Corps; the corps 
  Reserve officer; the Reserve officer 
  Reserve Officer Corps; the Reserve
    Corps; the corps 
  Staff officer; the Staff officer 
  Staff Officer Corps; the Staff Corps; the
    corps 
Forest, if part of name; the national forest;
    the forest: 
  Angeles National 
  Black 
  Coconino and Prescott National Forests 
  but State and National forests (see
    System) 
Forester (Chief of Forest Service); the Chief; 
    also Chief Forester 
form 2, A, II, etc.; but Form 2, when part of 
    title: Form 1040: Individual Income  
    Tax Return; but withholding tax form 
Fort McHenry, etc.; the fort 
Foundation, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal  
    unit: 
  Chemical; the foundation 
  Ford; the foundation 
  National Science; the Foundation 
  Russell Sage; the foundation 
Founding Fathers; Founders/Founder (of
    this Nation, Country) 
four freedoms 
Framers (of the U.S. Constitution; of the
    Bill of Rights) 
free world 
Frisco (for San Francisco; no apostrophe) 
Fritalux (see alliances) 
Fund, if part of name; capitalized standing 
    alone if referring to international or
    United Nations fund: 
  Democracy (United Nations); the Fund 
  International Monetary; the Fund 
  but civil service retirement fund; 
  highway trust fund; mutual security 
  fund; national service life insurance  
  fund; revolving fund 

G 
Gadsden Purchase 
Gallery of Art, National (see National) 
Gallup Poll; the poll 
GAO (Government Accountability Office) 
Geiger counter 
General Order No. 14; General Orders No. 
    14; a general order 
General Schedule 
gentile 
Geographer, the (State Department) 
geographic terms (terms, such as those
    listed below,\2\ are capitalized if part of 
    name; are lowercased in general sense 
    (rivers of Virginia and Maryland)): 
Archipelago   
Area
Arroyo
Atoll
Bank
Bar
Basin, Upper (Lower)
  Colorado River,  
  etc. (legal entity);
  but Hansen
  flood-control basin;
  Missouri River
  basin (drainage);
  upper Colorado 
  River storage project
Bay
Bayou
Beach 
Bench 
Bend
Bight
Bluff 
Bog
Borough (boro)
Bottom 
Branch (stream) 
Brook 
Butte 
Canal; the canal
  (Panama)
Canyon
Cape
Cascade  
Cave  
Cavern 
Channel; but 
  Mississippi River
  channel(s)
Cirque
Coulee 
Cove 
Crag
Crater  
Creek  
Crossroads  
Current (ocean feature)
Cut 
Cutoff 
Dam 
Delta 
Desert 
Divide 
Dome (not geologic)
Draw (stream)
Dune 
Escarpment
Estuary 
Falls 
Fault 
Flat(s)
Floodway
Ford 
Forest 
Fork (stream)
Gap

\2\List compiled with cooperation of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. 

Geyser
Glacier 
Glen 
Gorge
Gulch 
Gulf 
Gut 
Harbor 
Head 
Hill 
Hogback
Hollow 
Hook 
Horn 
Hot 
Icefield 
Ice Shelf 
Inlet 
Island 
Isle 
Islet 
Keys (Florida only)
Knob 
Lagoon
Lake
Landing
Ledge
Lowland 
Marsh 
Massif 
Mesa 
Monument 
Moraine 
Mound
Mount 
Mountain
Narrows 
Neck 
Needle 
Notch 
Oasis 
Ocean 
Oxbow 
Palisades 
Park 
Pass 
Passage
Peak 
Peninsula 
Plain 
Plateau 
Point 
Pond 
Pool 
Port (water body)
Prairie 
Range (mountain)
Rapids
Ravine 
Reef 
Reservoir 
Ridge
River 
Roads (anchorage)
Rock 
Run (stream)
Sea 
Seaway
Shoal 
Sink 
Slough
Sound 
Spit
Spring
Spur
Strait 
Stream 
Summit 
Swamp
Terrace 
Thoroughfare
Trench 
Trough
Valley
Volcano 
Wash 
Waterway
Woods 

Geological Survey (see Survey) 
GI bill of rights 
Girl Scouts (organization); a Girl Scout; a
  Scout; Scouting 
G-man Gold Star Mothers (see American) 
Golden Age (see Ages) 
Golden Rule
Gospel, if referring to the first four books of
  the New Testament; but gospel music 
Government: 
  British, etc.; the Government 
  department, offi  cials, -owned, 
    publications, etc. (U.S. Government) 
  National and State Governments 
  Printing Office (see Office) 
  U.S.; National; Federal 
Government information product 
government: 
  Churchill 
  Communist 
  District (of Columbia) 
  European governments 
  Federal, State, and municipal
    governments
  insular; island
  military
  seat of
  State 
  State and Provincial governments
  Territorial 
governmental 
Governor: 
  of Louisiana, etc.; the Governor; a
      Governor; State Governor(s);
      Governors' conference 
  of Puerto Rico; the Governor 
  of the Federal Reserve Board; the  
      Governor 
  Governor General of Canada; the Governor  
      General 
  GPO Access 
  grand jury (see Federal) 
  Grange, the (National) 
  grant, Pell 
  graph 2, A, II, etc.; but Graph 2, when part 
      of title: Graph 2.--Production levels 
  Great: 
    Basin 
    Depression 
    Divide 
    Lakes; the lakes; lake(s) traffic 
    Plains; but southern Great Plains 
    Seal (any nation)
 Society
 War (see War) 
 White Way (New York City) 
great circle (navigation) 
Greater Los Angeles, Greater New York 
gross national product (GNP) 
Group: 
  G8 (Group of 8) (representatives of the 
    eight leading industrial nations) 
  Helsinki Monitoring; the group 
  Military Advisory Group; the group 
  Standing (see Organization) 
  World Bank 
group 2, II, A, etc.; but Group 2, when part 
  of title: Group II: List of Counties by  
  States 
Guard, National (see National) 
guardsman (see Coast Guard; National 
    Guard) 
Gulf: 
  Coast States; but gulf coast 
  of Mexico; the gulf 
  States 
  Stream; the stream 

H 
Hall (U.S. Senate or House) 
Halls of Congress 
H-bomb; H-hour 
Headquarters: 
  Alaskan Command; the command  
    headquarters 
  4th Regiment Headquarters; regimental  
    headquarters 
  32d Division Headquarters; the division
    headquarters 
hearing examiner 
Heaven (religious); heaven (place) 
Heimlich maneuver 
hell (place) 
Hells (no apostrophe) Canyon 
Hemisphere, Eastern; Western; etc.; the 
  hemisphere 
Hezbollah 
High Church 
High Commissioner 
High Court (see Supreme Court) 
high definition 
High School, if part of name: Western; the
  high school 
Highway No. 40; Route 40; State Route 9;
  the highway 
Hill (the Capitol) 
Hispanic 
Holocaust, the (World War II); a holocaust 
Holy Scriptures; Holy Writ (Bible) 
home page 
Hospice, if part of name 
Hospital, if part of name; the hospital:
  Howard University 
  St. Elizabeths (no apostrophe) 
  but naval (marine or Army) hospital 
hospital corpsman (see corpsman) 
House, if part of name: 
  Blair 
  Johnson house (private residence) 
  of Representatives; the House (U.S.) 
  Office Building (see Building) 
  Ohio (State); the house 
  but both Houses; lower (or upper)
    House (Congress) 
House of Representatives (U.S.), titles of
    officers standing alone capitalized: 
  Chairman (Committee of the Whole) 
  Chaplain 
  Clerk; but legislative clerk, etc. 
  Doorkeeper 
  Official Reporter(s) of Debates 
  Parliamentarian 
  Postmaster 
  post office 
  Sergeant at Arms 
  Speaker pro tempore 
  Speaker; speakership 
HUD (Department of Housing and Urban  
  Development) 
Hudson's Bay Co. 
Hurricane Andrew, Katrina, Rita, etc. 

I 
ice age (see Ages) 
imam 
Independent Party; an Independent 
Indians:
  Absentee Shawnee
  Alaska (see Native) 
  Eastern (or Lower) Band of Cherokee;
    the band 
  Five Civilized Tribes; the tribes 
  Native Americans 
  Shawnee Tribe; the tribe 
  Six Nations (Iroquois Confederacy) 
Initiative, Caribbean Basin; but strategic
    defense initiative 
Inquisition, Spanish; the Inquisition 
inspector general 
Institute, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal  
    or international organization: 
  National Cancer; the Cancer Institute;  
    the Institute
  National Institutes of Health; the
    Institutes 
  of International Law; the Institute 
  Woman's; the institute 
Institution, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to  
    Federal unit: 
  Brookings; the institution 
  Carnegie; the institution 
  Smithsonian; the Institution 
insular government; island government 
intercoastal waterway (see waterway) 
interdepartmental 
interface 
International Court of Justice; the Court 
international:
  banks (see Bank)
  boundary 
  dateline
  law 
  Morse code (see Code) 
Internet, Intranet 
Interstate 95; I-95; the interstate 
Intracoastal Waterway; the waterway (see 
  also waterway) 
intrastate 
Irish potato 
Iron Curtain; the curtain 
Islam; Islamic 
Isthmian Canal (see Canal) 
Isthmus of Panama; the isthmus 

J 
Japan Current (see Current) 
Java (computer language) 
Jersey cattle 
Job Corps 
Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chiefs of Staff 
Joint Committee on Printing (see
    Committee) 
Journal clerk; the clerk 
Journal (House or Senate) 
Judge Advocate General, the 
judge; chief judge; circuit judge; district
    judge; but Judge Judy 
judiciary, the 
Justice; Justice Stevens, etc. 

K 
kaffiyeh (Arabic headdress) 
King of England, etc.; the King 
Koran, the; Koranic 
Krugerrand 

L
Laboratory, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to Federal 
    unit: Forest Products; the Laboratory; 
    but laboratory (non-Federal) 
Lake: Erie, of the Woods, Great Salt; the  
    lake 
Lane, if part of name: Maiden; the lane 
Latter-day Saints law, copyright law; Ohm's, etc. 
League, Urban; the league 
Legion: 
  American; the Legion; a Legionnaire; 
  French Foreign; the legion 
Legislative Assembly, if part of name: 
    of New York; of Puerto Rico, etc.; the 
    legislative assembly; the assembly 
legislative branch, clerk, session, etc. 
Legislature: 
  National Legislature (U.S. Congress);  
    the Legislature 
  Ohio Legislature; Legislature of Ohio; 
    the State legislature; the legislature 
Letters Patent No. 378,964; but patent No.
    378,964; letters patent 
Liberal Party; a Liberal 
Libertarian Party; a Libertarian 
Liberty Bell; Liberty ship 
Librarian of Congress; the Librarian 
Library: 
  Army; the library 
  Harry S. Truman; the library 
  of Congress; the Library 
  Hillsborough Public; the library 
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, etc.; the  
    Lieutenant Governor 
Light, if part of name; the light: 
  Boston 
  Buffalo South Pier Light 2; but light No.
    2; light 2 
  but Massachusetts Bay lights 
Lighthouse (see Light Station) 
Lightship, if part of name; the lightship:
  Grays Reef 
  North Manitou Shoal 
Light Station, if part of name; the light
    station; the station:
  Minots Ledge
  Watch Hill 
Line(s), if part of name; the line(s): 
  Greyhound (bus) 
  Holland-America (steamship) 
  Maginot (fortification) 
line: 
  Mason-Dixon line or Mason and   
    Dixon's line
  State 
listserv 
Local: 
  Columbia Typographical Union,  
    Local 101 
  International Brotherhood of Electrical
    Workers Local 180; but local No. 180 
local time, local standard time (see time) 
locator service 
Loop, the (see cities) 
Louisiana Purchase 
Low Church 
Lower, if part of name:
    California (Mexico) 
    Colorado River Basin
    Egypt 
    Peninsula (of Michigan) 
lower: 
    48 (States) 
    House of Congress 
    Mississippi 

M 
Madam:  
  Chair 
  Chairman 
  Chairwoman 
Magna Carta 
Majesty, His, Her, Your; Their Majesties 
Majority Leader Reid; Majority Leader 
    Hoyer; but the majority leader (U.S.  
    Congress) 
Mall, The National; The Mall (District of
    Columbia) 
Mansion, Executive (see Executive) 
map 3, A, II, etc.; but Map 2, when part of 
    title: Map 2.--Railroads of Middle  
    Atlantic States 
mariculture 
Marine Corps; the corps: 
  Marines (the corps); but marines 
   (individuals) 
  Reserve; the Reserve 
  also a marine; a woman marine; the 
    women marines (individuals); soldiers, 
    sailors, coastguardsmen, and marines 
Maritime Provinces (Canada) (see Province) 
Marshal (see Supreme Court) 
marshal (U.S.) 
medals (see decorations) 
Medicaid 
MediCal 
Medicare Act; Medicare plan 
Medicare Plus 
Medicare Program 
Medigap 
Member, if referring to Senator, 
    Representative, Delegate, or Resident 
    Commissioner of U.S. Congress; also 
    Member at Large; Member of 
    Parliament, etc.; but membership; 
    member of U.S. congressional  
    committee 
Memorial: 
  Jefferson  
  Lincoln 
  Vietnam 
  WWII 
  Korean 
  Franklin D. Roosevelt etc.; the memorial 
Merchant Marine Reserve; the Reserve; 
  but U.S. merchant marine; the  
  merchant marine 
Metroliner 
Metropolitan Washington, etc.; but
  Washington metropolitan area 
midcontinent region 
Middle Ages (see Ages) 
Middle Atlantic States 
Middle East; Mideast; Mideastern; Middle
  Eastern (Asia) 
Midwest (section of United States);  
    Midwestern States; but midwestern  
    farmers, etc. 
Military Academy (see Academy) 
Military Establishment (see Establishment) 
milkshed, Ohio, etc. (region) 
millennium 
Minister Plenipotentiary; the Minister; 
    Minister Without Portfolio (see also
    foreign cabinets) 
Ministry (see foreign cabinets) 
Minority Leader McConnell; Minority
    Leader Boehner; but the minority
    leader (U.S. Congress) 
Mint, Philadelphia, etc.; the mint 
minutemen (colonial) 
missiles: capitalize such missile names as
    Hellfire, Sparrow, Tomahawk, Scud,  
    Trident, etc.; but cruise missile, air-to-
    air missile, surface-to-air missile, etc. 
Mission, if part of name; the mission: 
  Gospel 
  but diplomatic mission; military mission;
    Jones mission 
Monument: 
  Bunker Hill; the monument 
  Grounds; the grounds (Washington
    Monument) 
  National (see National) 
  Washington; the monument (District
    of Columbia) 
  Mountain States 
  mountain time, mountain standard time
    (see time) 
Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) 
Mr. Chairman; Mr. Secretary; etc. 
Mujahedeen 
mullah 
Museum, capitalize with name; the
    museum: 
  Field 
  National 
  National Air and Space; the Air Museum 
  National Museum of the American
    Indian 

N 
Nation (synonym for United States); but a   
    nation; nationwide; also French  
    nation, Balkan nations 
Nation, Creek; Osage; etc.; the nation 
nation, in general, standing alone 
National, in conjunction with capitalized
    name: 
  Academy of Sciences (see Academy) 
    and State institutions, etc.
  Archives and Records Administration 
  Capital (Washington); the Capital; but
    national capital area 
  Endowment for the Arts; the  
    Endowment 
  Gallery of Art; the National Gallery;
    the gallery 
  Grange; the Grange 
  Guard, Ohio, etc.; Air National; the 
    National Guard; the Guard; a  
    guardsman; Reserve; but a National 
    Guardman; National Guardsman
  Institute (see Institute)
  Legislature (see Legislature) 
  Muir Woods National Monument etc.; 
    the national monument; the
    monument 
  Museum (see Museum) 
  Naval Medical Center (Bethesda, MD) 
  Park, Yellowstone, etc.; Yellowstone Park; 
    the national park; the park 
  Treasury; the Treasury
  War College
  Woman's Party 
  Zoological Park (see Zoological) 
national: 
  agency check (NAC) 
  anthem, customs, spirit, etc. 
  British, Mexican, etc. 
  defense agencies 
  stockpile 
  water policy 
Native: Alaska; American; but Ohio native,  
    etc. (see Alaska) 
Naval, if part of name: 
  Academy (see Academy) 
  Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River;
    Pensacola; etc. 
  Base, Guam Naval; the naval base 
  Establishment (see Establishment) 
  Observatory (see Observatory) 
  Reserve; the Reserve; a reservist 
  Reserve Force; the force 
  Reserve officer; a Reserve officer 
  Shipyard (if preceding or following name): 
    Brooklyn Naval Shipyard; Naval  
    Shipyard, Brooklyn; but the naval  
    shipyard 
  Volunteer Naval Reserve 
  War College; the War College; the college 
naval, in general sense: 
  command (see Command) 
  expenditures, maneuvers, officer,
    service, stores, etc.
  petroleum reserves; but Naval
    Petroleum Reserve No. 2 (Buena 
    Vista Hills Naval Reserve); reserve  
    No. 2 
navel orange 
Navy, American or foreign, if part of name; 
    capitalized standing alone only if 
    referring to U.S. Navy: 
  Admiral of the; the admiral 
  Battle Force; the Battle Force; the force 
  Establishment; the establishment 
  Hospital Corps; hospital corpsman; the 
    corps
  Regular 
  Seabees (construction battalion); a
    Seabee 
navy yard 
Nazi; nazism 
Near East (Balkans, etc.) 
Negro (see African-American; Black) 
network 
New Deal; anti-New Deal 
New England States 
New Federalism 
New Frontier 
New World; but new world order 
North:
  Atlantic
  Atlantic States 
  Atlantic Treaty (see Treaty) 
  Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
   (see Organization) 
  Equatorial Current (see Current)
  Korea
  Pole
  Slope (Alaska)
  Star (Polaris) 
  the North (section of United States) 
north: 
  Africa 
  Ohio, Virginia, etc. 
north-central region, etc. 
Northeast corridor 
northern Ohio 
Northern States 
northerner 
Northwest Pacific 
Northwest Territory (1799) 
Northwest, the (section of the United States) 
Northwest Washington (see cities) 
Northwestern:
  States 
  United States 
numbers capitalized if spelled out as part of
    a name: 
  Air Force One (Presidential plane) 
  Charles the First 
  Committee of One Hundred 
  Twenty-third Census (see Census) 

O 
Observatory, capitalized with name: 
  Astrophysical; the Observatory 
Lick; the observatory
  (nongovernmental) 
Naval; the Observatory 
Occident, the; occidental 
Ocean, if part of name; the ocean:
  Antarctic
  Arctic
  Atlantic 
  North Atlantic, etc.
  Pacific
  South Pacific, etc.
  Southwest Pacific, etc. 
Oceanographer (the Hydrographer), Navy 
Office, if referring to unit of Federal
    Government; the Office:
  Executive 
  Foreign and Commonwealth (U.K.) 
  Government Printing; the Printing
    Office; the Office 
  Naval Oceanographic 
  of Chief of Naval Operations 
  of General Counsel 
  of Management and Budget 
  of Personnel Management 
  of the Secretary (Defense); Secretary's 
    Office 
  Patent and Trademark 
  but New York regional office (including 
    branch, division, or section therein);  
    the regional office; the office 
officer: 
  Army 
  Marine; but naval and marine officers 
  Navy; Navy and Marine officers 
  Regular Army; Regular; a Regular 
  Reserve 
Old Dominion (Virginia) 
Old South 
Old World 
Olympic Games; Olympiad; XXIX Olympic
    Games 
ombudsman, Maryland (State) 
online 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Desert Storm 
Order of Business No. 56 (congressional  
    calendar) 
Ordnance: 
  Corps (see Corps) 
  Department; the Department 
Organization, if part of name; capitalized 
    standing alone if referring to  
    international unit: 
  International Labour (ILO) 
  North Atlantic Treaty (NATO):  
    Chiefs of Staff 
    Committee of Defense Ministers  
    Council Council of Foreign Ministers  
    Defense Committee  
    Military Committee 
    of American States (OAS)  
    Pact 
    Regional Planning Group; the Group 
  Standing Group; the Group 
  United Nations Educational, Scientific, 
    and Cultural Organization UNESCO) 
Orient, the; oriental (see Asian) 
Osama bin Laden 
Outer Continental Shelf (see Continental) 

P 
Pacific (see also Atlantic): 
  Basin 
  coast 
  Coast (or slope) States 
  Northwest 
  rim 
  seaboard 
  slope 
  South 
  States 
  time, Pacific standard time (see time) 
  but cispacific; transpacific 
pan-American games; but Pan American  
    Day 
Pan American Union (renamed; see 
    Organization of American States) 
Panel, the Federal Service Impasses 
    (Federal), etc.; the Panel 
Panhandle of Texas; Texas Panhandle; the  
    panhandle; etc. 
papers, Woodrow Wilson, etc.; the papers; 
    but white paper 
Parish, Caddo, etc.; but parish of Caddo 
    (Louisiana civil division); the parish 
Park, Fairmount, etc.; the park (see also
    National) 
Park Police, U.S.; park policeman 
Park, Zoological (see Zoological) 
Parkway, George Washington Memorial; 
    the memorial parkway; the parkway 
Parliament, Houses of; the Parliament 
Parliamentarian (U.S. Senate or House) 
part 2, A, II, etc.; but Part 2, when part of 
    title: Part 2: Iron and Steel Industry 
Party, if part of name; the party 
Pass, Brenner, capitalized if part of name;
    the pass 
patent (see Letters Patent) 
Peninsula Upper (Lower) (Michigan); the
    peninsula 
Penitentiary, Atlanta, etc.; the penitentiary 
petrodollar 
phase 2; phase I 
Philippines, Republic of the 
Pilgrim Fathers (1620); the Pilgrims; a
    Pilgrim 
Place, if part of name: Jefferson Place; the
    place 
Plains (Great Plains), the 
plan:
  Colombo 
  controlled materials 
  5-year 
  Marshall (European Recovery Program) 
Planetarium, Fels, Hayden; the planetarium 
Plant, Picatinny Arsenal; the plant; but 
    United States Steel plant 
plate 2, A, II, etc.; but Plate 2, when part of 
    title: Plate 2.--Rural Structures 
Plaza, Union Station (Washington, DC);
    the plaza 
Pledge of Allegiance; the pledge 
Pole: North, South; the pole; subpolar 
Pole Star (Polaris); polar star 
Police, if part of name; the police:
  Capitol
  Park, U.S.
  White House 
political action committee (PAC) 
political parties and adherents (see specific
    political party) 
Pool, Northwest Power, etc.; the pool 
Pope; but papal, patriarch, pontiff, primate 
Port, if part of name; Port of Norfolk; 
    Norfolk Port; the port (see Authority) 
Post Office, Chicago, etc.; the post office 
P.O. Box (with number); but post office box
    (in general sense) 
Postmaster General 
PostScript; but a postscript 
Powers, if part of name; the powers (see 
    also alliances): 
  Allied (World Wars I and II) 
  Axis (World War I)
  Western 
  but European powers 
precinct; first, 10th precinct 
Premier (see foreign cabinets) 
Preserve, Sullys Hill, National Game 
Presidency (office of the head of
    Government) 
President: 
  of the United States; the Executive; the 
    Chief Magistrate; the Commander 
    in Chief; the President-elect; ex-  
    President; former President; also  
    preceding name 
  of any other country; the President of 
    Federal or international unit 
  but president of the Norfolk Southern 
    Railroad; president of the Federal 
    Reserve Bank of New York 
Presidential assistant, authority, order,  
    proclamation, candidate, election,  
    timber, year, etc. 
Prime Minister (see foreign cabinets) 
Prison, New Jersey State; the prison 
Privy Council, Her Majesty's (see Council) 
Prize, Nobel, Pulitzer, etc.; the prize 
Proclamation, Emancipation; Presidential 
    Proclamation No. 24; Proclamation 
    No. 24; the proclamation; but  
    Presidential proclamation 
Program, if part of name: 
  European Recovery 
  Food for Peace 
  Fulbright 
  Head Start 
  Mutual Defense Assistance 
  Social Security 
  but universal military training;
    government bailout 
Progressive Party; a Progressive 
Project:
  Gutenberg
  Manhattan
  Vote Smart 
Proposition 13
Prosecutor; Special Prosecutor (Federal) 
Province, Provincial, if referring to an
    administrative subdivision: Ontario 
    Province; Province of Ontario; 
    Maritime Provinces (Canada); the  
    Province 
Proving Ground, Aberdeen, etc.; the
    proving ground 
Public Law; Public Law 110-161, etc. 
Public Printer; the Government Printer; the
    Printer 
public utility district (see District) 
Pueblo, Santa Clara; the pueblo 
Purchase, Gadsden, Louisiana, etc. 
Puritan; puritanical 
Pyrrhic victory 

Q 
Quad Cities (Davenport, Rock Island, 
    Moline, East Moline, and Bettendorf) 
query 
queue 

R 
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 
Railroad, Alaska; the Railroad 
Ranch, King, etc.; the ranch 
Range, Cascade, etc. (mountains); the range 
Rebellion, if part of name; the rebellion:
  Boxer
  Whisky 
Reconstruction period (post-Civil War) 
Red army 
Red Cross, American (see American) 
Reds, the; a Red (political) 
Reformatory, Michigan; the reformatory 
Refuge, Blackwater National Wildlife, etc.; 
    Blackwater Refuge; the refuge 
region, north-central, etc.; first region, 10th 
    region; region 7; midcontinent 
Regular Army, Navy; a Regular (see also  
    officer) 
regulation: 
  greenhouse gas 
  W (see also Federal Reserve Board) 
  but Veterans Entitlements Regulations 
religious terms: 
  Baha'i 
  Baptist 
  Brahman 
  Buddhist 
  Catholic; Catholicism; but catholic
    (universal)
  Christian
  Christian Science 
  Evangelical United Brethren
  Hindu; Hinduism
  Islam; Islamic
  Jewish
  Latter-day Saints 
  Muslim: Shiite; Sunni
  New Thought
  Protestant; Protestantism
  Scientology
  Seventh-day Adventists
  Seventh-Day Baptists
  Sikh
  Zoroastrian 
Renaissance, the (era) 
Report, if part of name (with date or 
    number); the annual report; the report: 
  2007 Report of the Chief of the Forest
    Service 
  9/11 Commission Report 
  Annual Report of the Secretary of 
    Defense for the year ended
    September 30, 2008 
  Grace Commission report 
  President's Economic Report; the
    Economic Report 
  Railroad Retirement Board Annual  
    Report, 2007; but annual report of the  
    Railroad Retirement Board 
  Report No. 31 
  United States Reports (publication) 
Reporter, the (U.S. Supreme Court) 
Representative; Representative at Large
    (U.S. Congress); U.N. 
Republic, capitalized if part of name; 
    capitalized standing alone if referring  
    to a specific government:
  Czech
  French
  Irish 
  of Bosnia and Herzegovina
  of Panama 
  of the Philippines
  Slovak (Slovakia)
  United States 
  also the American Republics; South 
    American Republics; the Latin 
    American Republics; the Republics 
Republican Party; a Republican 
Reservation (forest, military, or Indian), if 
    part of name; the reservation:
  Hill Military
  Standing Rock 
Reserve, if part of name; the Reserve (see 
    also Air Force; Army Corps; Coast 
    Guard; Foreign Service; Marine 
    Corps; Merchant Marine; Naval;  
    National Guard):
  Active
  Air Force
  Army
  bank (see Bank) 
  Board, Federal (see Federal)
  city (see Bank)
  components
  Enlisted
  Establishment
  Inactive
  Naval
  officer
  Officers' Training Corps
  Ready
  Retired
  Standby
  Strategic 
Reserves, the; reservist 
Resolution, with number; the resolution: 
  House Joint Resolution 3 
  Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 
  War Powers Resolution (short title) 
  but Tonkin resolution 
Revised Statutes (U.S.); Supplement to the 
    Revised Statutes; the statutes; Statutes  
    at Large (U.S.) 
Revolution, Revolutionary (if referring to 
    the American, French, or English  
    Revolution) (see also War) 
rim; the Pacific rim 
Road, if part of name: Benning; the road 
Roman numerals, common nouns used
    with, not capitalized: 
  book II; chapter II; part II; etc. 
  but Book II: Modern Types (complete 
    heading); Part XI: Early Thought  
    (complete heading) 
Route 66, State Route 9 (highways) 
rule 21; rule XXI; but Rule 21, when part of 
    title: Rule 21: Renewal of Motion 
Rules: 
  of the House of Representatives; but rules 
    of the House; House rule X 
  Standing Rules of the Senate  
    (publication); but rules of the Senate 
  also Commission rules 

S 
Sabbath; Sabbath Day 
savings bond (see bond) 
schedule 2, A, II, etc.; but Schedule 2, when 
  part of title; Schedule 2: Open and  
  Prepay Stations 
School, if part of name; the school: 
  any school of U.S. Armed Forces 
  Hayes 
  Pawnee Indian 
  Public School 13; P.S. 13 
school district (see District) 
Scriptures; Holy Scriptures (the Bible) 
Seabees (see Navy) 
seaboard, Atlantic, eastern, etc. 
seasons:
  autumn (fall)
  spring
  summer
  winter 
seaway (see geographic terms; Authority;
    Corporation) 
Second World War (see War) 
Secretariat (see United Nations) 
Secretaries of the Army and the Navy; but 
    Secretaries of the military  
    departments; secretaryship 
Secretary, head of national governmental  
    unit: 
  of Defense; of State; etc.; the Secretary 
  of State for Foreign Affairs (British); for 
    the Commonwealth, etc.; the  
    Secretary 
  of the Smithsonian Institution; the  
    Secretary
  also the Assistant Secretary; the  
    Executive Secretary 
Secretary General; the Secretary General: 
  Organization of American States 
  United Nations 
section 2, A, II, etc.; but Section 2, when 
    part of title: Section 2: Test  
    Construction Theory 
Selective Service (see Service; System) 
Senate (U.S.), titles of officers standing
    alone capitalized:
  Chaplain
  Chief Clerk
  Doorkeeper
  Official Reporter(s)
  Parliamentarian
  Postmaster 
  President of the 
  President pro tempore
  Presiding Officer
  Secretary 
  Sergeant at Arms 
Senate, Ohio (State); the senate 
Senator (U.S. Congress); but lowercased if 
    referring to a State senator, unless  
    preceding a name 
senatorial 
Sergeant at Arms (U.S. Senate or House) 
Sermon on the Mount 
server 
Service, if referring to Federal unit; the
    Service: 
  Extension 
  Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
  Fish and Wildlife 
  Foreign (see Foreign Service) 
  Forest 
  Internal Revenue  
  Marshals 
  National Park 
  Natural Resources Conservation 
  Postal 
  Secret (Homeland Security) 
  Selective (see also System); but selective 
    service, in general sense; selective   
    service classification 1-A, 4-F, etc. 
  Senior Executive 
service: 
  airmail 
  Army 
  city delivery 
  consular 
  customs 
  diplomatic 
  employment (State) 
  extension (State) 
  general delivery 
  naval 
  Navy 
  parcel post 
  postal field 
  rural free delivery; rural delivery; free
    delivery
  special delivery
  star route 
Shelf, Continental (see Continental) 
ship of state (unless personified) 
Sister(s) (adherent of religious order) 
Six Nations (see Indians) 
Smithsonian Institution (see Institution) 
Social Security Administration (U.S.), 
    application, check, number, pension, 
    trust fund, system, etc. 
Socialist Party; a Socialist 
Society, if part of name; the society: 
  American Cancer Society, Inc. 
  of the Cincinnati 
soil bank
soil orders:
  Alfisols 
  Andisols 
  Aridisols
  Entisols
  Gelisols 
  Histosols
  Inceptisols
  Mollisols
  Oxisols
  Spodosols
  Ultisols
  Vertisols 
Soldiers' Home; the soldiers' home; (see 
    Armed Forces Retirement Home) 
Solicitor for the Department of Labor, etc.;
    the Solicitor 
Solicitor General (Department of Justice) 
Son of Man (Christ) 
Sons of the American Revolution 
  (organization); a Son; a Real Son 
South: 
  American Republics (see Republic) 
  American States 
  Atlantic 
  Atlantic States 
  Deep South (U.S.) 
  Korea 
  Midsouth (U.S.) 
  Pacific 
  Pole 
  the South (section of United States);
    Southland 
Southeast Asia 
southern California, southeastern
  California, etc. 
Southern States 
Southern United States 
southerner 
Southwest, the (section of United States) 
space shuttle; the shuttle 
space station 
Spanish-American War (see War) 
Speaker of the House of Representatives;
    the Speaker 
special agent 
specialist 
Special Order No. 12; Special Orders, No. 
    12; a special order 
Spirit of .76 (painting); but spirit of .76 (in
    general sense) 
Sputnik 
Square, Lafayette, etc.; the square 
Staff, Foreign Service (see Foreign Service);
    Air (U.K.) 
standard time (see time) 
Star of Bethlehem 
Star-Spangled Banner (see flag) 
State:
    Champion
    government
    legislature (see Legislature) 
    line, Iowa; Ohio-Indiana, etc.
    New York
    of Israel
    of Maryland 
    of the Union Message/Address
    of Veracruz
    out-of-State (adjective); but out-of-stater
    prison
    Vatican City 
state:
    church and 
    of the art: state-of-the-art technology
    welfare 
    also downstate, instate, multistate,
      statehood, statehouse, stateside,
      statewide, substate, tristate, upstate 
State's attorney 
state's evidence 
states' rights 
States:
  Arab
  Balkan
  Baltic 
  East North Central 
  East South Central
  Eastern; but eastern industrial States
  Eastern Gulf 
  Eastern North Central, etc.
  Far Western 
  Gulf; Gulf Coast
  Lake
  Latin American
  lower 48
  Middle 
  Middle Atlantic 
  Middle Western 
  Midwestern 
  Mountain 
  New England 
  North Atlantic 
  Northwestern, etc. 
  Organization of American 
  Pacific 
  Pacific Coast 
  rights 
  South American 
  South Atlantic 
  Southern 
  the six States of Australia; a foreign state 
  Thirteen Original; original 13 States 
  Western; but western Gulf; western
    farming States 
Station, if part of name; the station; not 
    capitalized if referring to surveying  
    or similar work: 
  Air Force base 
  Grand Central 
  Naval Air Engineering 
  television station WSYR-TV 
  Union; Union Depot; the depot 
  WAMU station; station WMAL; radio 
    station WSM; broadcasting station 
    WJSV 
station 9; substation A 
Statue of Liberty; the statue 
Statutes at Large (U.S.) (see also Revised
  Statutes) 
Stealth: bomber, fighter 
Stockpile, Strategic National 
stone age (see Ages) 
storage facility 
Stream, Gulf (see Gulf; geographic terms) 
Street, if part of name; the street: 
  I Street (not Eye Street)
  110th Street 
  U Street (not You Street) 
subcommittee (see Committee) 
subtropical, subtropic(s) (see tropical) 
summit meeting; Earth summit 
Sun; a sun 
Super Bowl Superfund; the fund 
Superintendent, if referring to head of 
    Federal unit; the Superintendent: 
  of Documents (Government Printing 
    Office) 
  of the Naval (or Military) Academy 
Supplement to the Revised Statutes (see  
    Revised Statutes) 
Supreme Bench; the Bench; also High  
    Bench; High Tribunal 
Supreme Court (U.S.); the Court; also High 
    Court; titles of officers standing alone  
    capitalized:
  Associate Justice 
  Chief Justice 
  Clerk 
  Marshal 
  Reporter 
  but Ohio Supreme Court; the supreme
    court 
Surgeon General, the (Air Force, Army, 
  Navy, and Public Health Service) 
Survey, if part of name of Federal unit; the  
  Survey: Geodetic; Geological 
System, if referring to Federal unit; the
  System: 
Federal Home Loan Bank; the System 
Federal Reserve; the System 
National Forest; the System 
National Highway; Interstate Highway;
  the System 
National Park; the System 
National Trails; the System 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers; the
  System 
Regional Metro System; Metro system 
Selective Service (see also Service) 
State and National forests 
but Amtrak railway system; Amtrak
  system; the system 
  also Federal land bank system 

T 
table 2, II, A, etc.; but Table 2, when part of 
    title: Table 2: Degrees of Land  
    Deterioration 
task force (see Force) 
Team, USAREUR Technical Assistance,
    etc.; the team 
television station (see Station) 
Telnet 
Ten Commandments 
Territorial, if referring to a political
    subdivision 
Territory: 
  Northwest (1799); the territory 
  Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; 
  Pacific Islands Trust Territory; the trust
    territory; the territory 
  Yukon, Northwest Territories; the  
    Territory(ies), Territorial (Canada) 
  but territory of: American Samoa, Guam,  
    Virgin Islands 
The, part of name, capitalized:
  The Dalles; The Gambia; The Hague;  
    The Weirs; but the Dalles Dam; the 
    Dalles region; the Federal Bulletin 
    Board; the Hague Conference; the  
    Weirs streets 
  but the Adjutant General; the National 
    Archives; the Archives; the Times; the 
    Mermaid; the Federal Express 
Third World 
Thirteen American Colonies, etc. (see
    Colonies) 
Thirteen Original States 
Thruway, New York State; the thruway time: 
  Alaska, Alaska standard 
  Atlantic, Atlantic standard 
  central, central standard 
  eastern, eastern daylight, eastern daylight
    saving (no s), eastern standard 
  Greenwich mean time (GMT) 
  Hawaii-Aleutian standard 
  local, local standard 
  mountain, mountain standard
  Pacific, Pacific standard
  universal 
title 2, II, A, etc.; but Title 2, when part of 
    title: Title 2: General Provisions 
Tomb: 
  Grant's; the tomb 
  of the Unknowns; of the Unknown 
    Soldier; Unknown Soldier's Tomb;
    the tomb (see also Unknown Soldier) 
Tower, Eiffel, etc.; the tower 
Township, Union; township of Union 
trade names and trademarks:
  Blu-Ray            TiVo
  Coca-Cola          U-Haul
  Dr Pepper          UNIX
  Hersheypark        VISA
  iPod               WebTV
  iTunes             Yahoo! 
  MasterCard         ZIP Code (Postal) 
Trade Representative (U.S.) 
transatlantic; transpacifi c; trans-Siberian,  
    etc.; but Transjordan; Trans-Alaska 
Treasurer, Assistant, of the United States;  
    the Assistant Treasurer; but assistant 
    treasurer at New York, etc. 
Treasurer of the United States; the Treasurer 
Treasury notes; Treasurys 
Treasury, of the United States; General;
    National; Public 
Treaty, if part of name; the treaty: 
  Jay Treaty 
  North Atlantic; North Atlantic Defense 
  of Versailles 
  but treaty of 1919 
triad 
tribe (see Indians) 
Tribunal, standing alone capitalized only in
    minutes and official reports of a   
    specific arbitration; also High 
    Tribunal; the Tribunal (Supreme  
    Court) 
Tropic of Cancer, of Capricorn; the Tropics 
tropical; neotropic, neotropical, sub-
    tropic(s), subtropical 
Trust, Power, etc. 
trust territory (see Territory) 
Tunnel, Lincoln, etc.; the tunnel; but 
    irrigation, railroad, etc., tunnel 
Turnpike, Pennsylvania, etc.; the turnpike 
Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) 

U 
U-boat 
Under Secretary, if referring to officer of 
    Federal Government; the Under  
    Secretary:
  of Agriculture
  of State 
  of the Treasury 
Uniform Code of Military Justice (see Code) 
Union (if part of proper name; capitalized 
    standing alone if synonym for United 
    States or if referring to international  
    unit):
  Columbia Typographical
  European 
  Pan American (former name; see 
    Organization of American States) 
  Station; but union passenger station;  
    union freight station 
  Teamsters Union; the Teamsters; the
    union; also the Auto Workers, etc. 
  Universal Postal; the Postal Union 
  Western (see alliances) 
  Woman's Christian Temperance 
  but a painters union; printers union 
United Nations: 
  Charter; the charter 
  Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
    Organization (UNESCO) (see
    Organization) 
  Food and Agriculture Organization
    (FAO) 
  General Assembly; the Assembly 
International Children's Emergency
  Fund (UNICEF) 
International Court of Justice; the Court 
Permanent Court of Arbitration (see
  Court) 
Secretariat, the 
Secretary General 
Security Council; the Council 
World Employment Conference 
World Health Organization (WHO);
  the Organization 
universal: 
  military training (see Program) 
  time (see time) 
University, if part of name: Stanford; the university 
Unknown Soldier; Unknown of World War 
    II; World War II Unknown; 
    Unknown of Korea; Korea 
    Unknown; the Unknowns (see also  
    Tomb) 
Upper, if part of name: 
  Colorado River Basin 
  Egypt 
  Peninsula (of Michigan) 
  but upper House of Congress 
U.S.S.R. (former Union of Soviet Socialist  
  Republics) 

V 
Valley, Shenandoah, etc.; the valley; but the 
    valleys of Virginia and Maryland 
V-E Day; V-J Day; V-chip 
veteran, World War II; Vietnam 
Veterans Affairs, Department of (see
    Department) 
Vice Chairman, etc. (same as Chairman) 
vice consul, British, etc. 
Vice President (same as President) 
Voice of America; the Voice 
volume 2, A, II, etc.; but Volume 2, when 
    part of title; Volume 2: Five Rivers in  
    America's Future 

W 
War, if part of formal name: 
  Between the States 
  Civil 
  First World War; World War I; World 
    War; Great War; Second World War;
    World War II 
  for Independence (1776) 
  French and Indian (1754-63) 
  Mexican 
  of 1812 
  of the Rebellion; the rebellion 
  on Crime 
  on Drugs 
  on Poverty 
  on Terrorism, Global 
  Revolutionary; of the Revolution; the
    Revolution
  Seven Years'
  Six-Day (Arab-Israeli)
  Spanish-American 
  the two World Wars 
  also post-World War II 
war, descriptive or undeclared: 
  cold, hot 
  European 
  French and Indian wars 
  Indian 
  Korean 
  Persian Gulf; gulf 
  third world; world war III 
  Vietnam 
  with Mexico 
War College, National (see College) 
War Mothers (see American) 
ward 1, 2, etc.; first, 11th, etc. 
Washington's Farewell Address 
water district (see District) 
waterway, inland, intercoastal, etc.; but
    Intracoastal Waterway 
Web: 
  page 
  site 
Week, Fire Prevention; etc. 
welfare state 
West:
  Bank (Jordan)
  Coast (Africa); but west coast (U.S.) 
  End, etc. (section of city) 
  Europe (political entity) 
  Far West; Far Western States
  Florida (1763-1819) 
  Middle (United States); Midwest 
  South Central States, etc. 
  the West (section of United States; also
    world political entity) 
west, western Pennsylvania 
Western:
  bloc 
  civilization 
  countries 
  Europe(an) (political entity) 
  Hemisphere; the hemisphere 
  ideas 
  Powers 
  States 
  United States
  World 
  but far western; western farming States
    (U.S.) 
westerner 
Whip, Majority; Minority 
Whisky Rebellion (see Rebellion) 
White (see Caucasian) 
White House:
  Blue Room
  East Room
  Oval Office
  Police (see Police)
  Red Room
  Rose Garden 
  State Dining Room 
white paper, British, etc. 
Wilderness, capitalized with name; San 
    Joaquin Wilderness, CA; the
    wilderness; but the Wilderness  
    (Virginia battlefield) 
Wood, if part of name: 
  Belleau 
  County 
  Fort Leonard 
World: New, Old, Third; but free world 
World Bank; the Bank 
World Series 
World War (see War) 
World War II veteran 
World Wide Web (WWW), the Web 

X 
x ray (note: no hyphen) 

Y 
year, calendar, fiscal 
Your Excellency; Your Honor; Your  
    Majesty; etc. 
Youth Corps; the Corps 

Z 
ZIP Code number; ZIP+4 
Z39.50 
Zone, if part of name; the zone: 
  British (in Germany)
  Canal (Panama) 
  Eastern, Western (Germany)
  Frigid 
  Hot (infectious area) 
  of Interior (see Command) 
  Temperate, Torrid; the zone 
  U.S. Foreign Trade; Foreign  
    Trade Zone; but the foreign trade 
    zone, free trade zone 
zone: 
  Arctic 
  eastern standard time 
  no-fly 
  polar tropical 
Zoological Park (National); the zoo;  
    the park 