Writing Tips
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Index C
- caddie
- caddy
- Caesar
- Caesarean
- Caesarism
- caldron
- Calgarian
- Calgary
- call a halt to
- call an end to
- call into question
- camomile
- Canada
- Canada Day
- Canadian dollar (symbol) (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- Canadianisms: Prairies
- CANDU
- Candu
- can not
- cannot
- cantaloup
- cantaloupe
- canvas
- canvass
- capable of
- capacity for
- capital
- capitalization: astronomical terms
- capitalization: biological terms
- capitalization: buildings
- capitalization: chemical and medical terms
- capitalization: compounds
- capitalization: copyrighted names
- capitalization: cultural periods
- capitalization: deities
- capitalization: family relationships
- capitalization: general points
- capitalization: geographical terms
- capitalization: governments and government bodies
- capitalization: headings
- capitalization: initial words
- capitalization: institutions
- capitalization: legal usage
- capitalization: lists
- capitalization: medals
- capitalization: military terms
- capitalization: modes of transportation
- capitalization: names of institutions
- capitalization of logos
- capitalization: parts of a book or document
- capitalization: personal names
- capitalization: personifications and abstractions
- capitalization: political parties and movements
- capitalization: publications and works of art
- capitalization: races; languages; peoples
- capitalization: salutation and complimentary close
- capitalization: school subjects
- capitalization: scientific names containing personal names
- capitalization: seasons
- capitalization: SI/metric units
- capitalization: single letters used as words
- capitalization: sporting events and trophies
- capitalization: terms indicating time or sequence
- capitalization: terms related to religion
- capitalization: time references and historical periods and events
- capitalization: words derived from proper nouns
- capitalizing member of Parliament
- capitalizing shortened titles
- capital letters for emphasis
- capitals in titles of office or rank
- Capitol
- carat
- caret
- Cariboo
- caribou
- carousal
- carousel
- carrot
- carrousel
- carry out an examination of
- case law
- cast
- caste
- catalyse
- catalyze
- cater-corner
- catsup
- cauldron
- CDT
- ceed and cede
- CEGEP
- censor
- censure
- centi-
- Central Daylight Time
- Central Standard Time
- centre on
- chamomile
- chaperon
- chaperone
- chapter and verse
- characteristic
- chargeable
- Charlottetonian
- Charlottetown
- Charlottetowner
- Chechen
- check
- check in
- check-in
- cheque
- chord
- Christmas
- circum-
- cite
- City of Gardens
- City of Québec
- classic
- classical
- clear communication: choose positive over negative phrasing
- clear communication: coherence
- clear communication: overview of the writing process and techniques
- clear communication: polish your paragraphs
- clear communication: reduce redundancy
- clear communication: responsibilities of writers
- clear communication: simplify your sentences
- clear communication: transition words
- clear communication: turn nouns into verbs
- clear communication: use clear words and expressions
- clear communication: use the active voice
- clear communication: write clear and effective briefing notes
- clear communication: write relevant and effective emails
- clear verbal communication
- cliché
- close proximity
- close scrutiny
- closure
- cloture
- cluster together
- co-
- collectable
- collectible
- collocate
- colloquial
- co-locate
- colon
- coloration
- colour
- colourful
- combat
- combine
- combine together
- come as a disappointment
- comma after a clause acting as subject
- comma before because
- commas for clarity and emphasis
- commas for omitted words
- commas in a date
- commas in geographical names and addresses
- commas properly omitted
- commas with absolute expressions
- commas with adjective clauses
- commas with adverb clauses
- commas with appositives
- commas with direct address
- commas with interjections
- commas with introductory elements
- commas with names and titles
- commas with non-restrictive elements
- commas with parenthetic expressions
- commas with such as
- commas with tag questions
- commence
- commend for
- commensurate with
- common
- compare
- compare to
- compare with
- compass points
- complement
- completely revolutionize
- complex sentence
- compliment (1)
- compliment (2)
- compliment on
- comply with
- compose
- compound-complex sentence
- compound personal pronouns
- compound sentences
- comprise (1)
- comprise (2)
- concern
- concerned
- concur in
- concur with
- conformity with
- conform to
- conjunctive adverb
- connaisseur
- connoisseur
- consensus
- consensus of opinion
- consistent with
- consist in
- consist of
- constitute
- contend with
- continual
- continuous
- contra-
- contrast
- contrast with
- converge on
- conversant with
- coolist
- co-op
- co-operate
- co-operation
- co-operative
- coordinate elements
- coordinating conjunctions
- Coppermine
- copy
- cord
- correlate with
- correlative conjunctions
- correspond to
- correspond with
- cosy
- could have
- could of
- could’ve
- council
- councillor
- counsel
- counsellor
- counter-
- couple more
- couple of
- courses and degrees
- Cowtown
- cozy
- cracker
- Croat
- Croatian
- CST
- cue
- cue up
- culminate in
- custom
- Cypro-
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capitalization: school subjects, courses and degrees
Follow the guidelines below when deciding whether to capitalize the name of a school subject, a course or a degree.
School subjects and courses
Capitalize the names of languages.
- Marjorie studied French at university.
- Hal is majoring in English.
Do not capitalize the names of other disciplines when using them in a general sense or when referring to courses, except when you are citing the official name of a particular course.
- She is interested in history.
- He reads articles on economics and biology in his spare time.
- He passed with a B in history this term.
but
- She is taking Chemistry 101 and Economics 406.
Academic years and grades
Do not capitalize terms designating academic years:
- Celia held two jobs during her senior year.
- During his sophomore year, John was at the top of his class.
Capitalize grade when it is followed by a number or letter:
- My daughter has completed Grade 6.
But do not capitalize grade if the number precedes it:
- My daughter has completed sixth grade.
Academic degrees
Do not capitalize the name of a degree in informal references:
- Janet is earning her master’s degree.
Usage is divided with regard to capitalizing the name of a specific degree written in full. A number of style manuals-including The Globe and Mail Style Book, The Canadian Press Stylebook, and The Chicago Manual of Style-prefer a down style (i.e. no capitals):
- Eric holds a bachelor of arts degree from McGill University.
- Melanie earned a master of science in engineering last year.
However, the use of capitals is also common and acceptable:
- Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University.
- Melanie earned a Master of Science in Engineering last year.
Even if you choose to use a down style for the names of degrees, do capitalize a degree that follows a person’s name:
- Ellen Compton, Doctor of Philosophy
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