Capitalisation vs. Capitalization: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 27, 2023
Capitalisation and Capitalization have the same meaning, referring to the act of using capital letters in writing, but differ in spelling: 'Capitalisation' is British English, 'Capitalization' is American English.
Key Differences
Capitalisation: Spelled with an 's', this term follows the British English convention. It refers to the process of using uppercase letters in writing. Capitalization: With a 'z', this term adheres to American English spelling rules, and has the same meaning as its British counterpart.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
The use of this spelling variant is common in countries that follow British English norms, such as the UK and Australia. It is used in the same contexts as the American variant. Capitalization: This American spelling is standard in the United States and is used in academic and professional settings within the country.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Besides the use of capital letters, the term can also refer to the conversion of income or earnings into capital. This usage is consistent in both British and American English. Capitalization: In financial contexts, it similarly refers to the calculation of the market value of a company.
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Dec 27, 2023
In terms of language teaching and grammar, this term is taught in schools and used in textbooks in countries following British English standards. Capitalization: American schools and textbooks use this spelling when teaching the rules of using uppercase letters.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
The variation in spelling does not change the application or understanding of the concept in English grammar. Capitalization: Despite the spelling difference, it carries the same grammatical rules and implications as 'capitalisation'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Financial Context
Conversion of income into capital
Calculation of company market value
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Dec 27, 2023
Educational Context
Taught in British English systems
Taught in American English systems
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Dec 27, 2023
Grammatical Rules
Same rules as American English
Same rules as British English
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Dec 27, 2023
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Capitalisation and Capitalization Definitions
Capitalisation
The act of writing the first letter of a word in uppercase.
Proper nouns require capitalisation.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalization
Writing the first letter of a word in uppercase.
The capitalization of 'Internet' has become common.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalisation
In accounting, it refers to funding a business through equity or debt.
They focused on debt capitalisation for expansion.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalization
Calculating the market value of a company's outstanding shares.
The tech company's capitalization soared this year.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalisation
In typography, it involves using capital letters for emphasis.
Headlines often use capitalisation for impact.
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Dec 27, 2023
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Capitalization
Converting earnings or assets into capital value.
The firm's capitalization strategy was successful.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalisation
The act of estimating the value of a company based on shares.
Their capitalisation in the market was impressive.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalization
Refers to raising funds through equity or debt in business.
Startups often struggle with capitalization.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalisation
Choice of case (when writing a word); the act or process of writing a word in a particular case, such as ALL CAPS, Title Case, CamelCase, Sentence case, or all lowercase.
English and French have different rules for the capitalisation of the names of the days of the week.
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalisation
The act or process of seizing (an opportunity) and profiting or obtaining an advantage (from it).
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalization
The amounts and types of long-term financing used by a firm, including common stock, preferred stock, retained earnings, and long-term debt.
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalization
The total par value or stated value of no-par capital stock issues.
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalisation
The state of having a particular case, such as ALL CAPS or all lowercase.
His capitalisation was erratic: sometimes he wrote "British", sometimes "british", sometimes "briTish"...
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalisation
The total value of all outstanding shares for a publicly-traded company
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Oct 19, 2023
Capitalisation
The process of converting earnings into capital.
The company's capitalisation increased this year.
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Dec 27, 2023
Capitalization
Using uppercase letters for emphasis in text.
The book title used capitalization for certain words.
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Dec 27, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
When should you use capitalisation/capitalization?
For proper nouns, the beginning of sentences, and titles.
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Dec 27, 2023
Does capitalisation/capitalization have the same rules in both British and American English?
Yes, the grammatical rules are the same.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Are capitalisation and capitalization interchangeable?
Yes, they are interchangeable but depend on whether you're using British or American English.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are there specific rules for capitalising words in titles?
Yes, in titles, capital letters are used for the first and last words, major words, and important words.
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Dec 27, 2023
What are some common examples of words that should be capitalised in British English?
Examples include names of people, places, days of the week, months, and countries.
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Dec 27, 2023
Do acronyms and initialisms need to be capitalized?
Yes, acronyms and initialisms are written in all capital letters.
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Dec 27, 2023
What is capitalisation/capitalization in writing?
It's the practice of using uppercase letters for specific words in a sentence.
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Dec 27, 2023
How does capitalisation/capitalization affect reading?
It helps in distinguishing proper nouns and the start of sentences, aiding in readability.
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Dec 27, 2023
Why is capitalization important in legal documents and contracts?
Capitalization ensures clarity and precision in legal writing by emphasizing specific terms and definitions.
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Dec 27, 2023
Are there specific rules for capitalizing words in titles in American English?
Yes, in titles, capital letters are used for the first and last words, major words, and important words.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
What are some common examples of words that should be capitalized in American English?
Examples include names of people, places, days of the week, months, and countries.
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Dec 27, 2023
Is there a standard format for capitalizing titles in books, articles, and essays?
Various style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) provide specific guidelines for capitalizing titles in different contexts.
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Dec 27, 2023
Can capitalization rules change over time?
Yes, language and style conventions evolve, so it's essential to stay updated on current capitalization guidelines.
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Dec 27, 2023
Is there a rule for capitalizing the first letter of the first word after a colon?
It depends on the style guide. Some recommend capitalizing it, while others do not.
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Dec 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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