Is American Flag Capitalized in Standard American English?
The American flag is a symbol of national pride and unity, and it is often seen flying at government buildings, schools, and businesses. But when it comes to writing about the flag, should it be capitalized?
The answer is yes, the American flag is capitalized in Standard American English. This is because the flag is a proper noun, and proper nouns are always capitalized.
What is a proper noun?
A proper noun is a name for a specific person, place, thing, or idea. Proper nouns are always capitalized, even when they appear in the middle of a sentence.
Examples of proper nouns:
- People: John Smith, Mary Jones
- Places: United States, New York City
- Things: American flag, Statue of Liberty
- Ideas: Christianity, Democracy
Why is the American flag a proper noun?
The American flag is a proper noun because it is a name for a specific thing. The flag is not just any flag; it is the flag of the United States of America.
How to capitalize the American flag
When you write about the American flag, you should always capitalize the word "flag." You should also capitalize the word "American" when it appears before the word "flag."
Examples:
- The American flag is a symbol of national pride.
- The flag flew proudly over the courthouse.
- I saw the flag waving in the wind.
Exceptions to the rule
There are a few exceptions to the rule that the American flag should always be capitalized. These exceptions include:
- When the word "flag" is used in a general sense. For example, you might say "I saw a flag flying in the wind." In this case, the word "flag" is not capitalized because it is not being used to refer to the American flag specifically.
- When the word "flag" is used as part of a compound word. For example, you might say "I have a flagpole in my backyard." In this case, the word "flagpole" is capitalized because it is a compound word that includes the word "flag."
FAQ
Q: Why is the American flag capitalized?
A: The American flag is capitalized because it is a proper noun. Proper nouns are always capitalized, even when they appear in the middle of a sentence.
Q: What are some examples of proper nouns?
A: Proper nouns include people, places, things, and ideas. Some examples of proper nouns are John Smith, Mary Jones, United States, New York City, American flag, and Statue of Liberty.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the rule that the American flag should always be capitalized?
A: Yes, there are a few exceptions to the rule. These exceptions include when the word "flag" is used in a general sense or when the word "flag" is used as part of a compound word.
References
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- The Associated Press Stylebook
- The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage
