The rules for capitalization with quotes can vary based on context and style guidelines. Here’s a summary of the options you provided:
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Never capitalize the first word: This is generally incorrect unless the quote is part of a larger sentence and does not require capitalization.
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Always capitalize the first word: This is also incorrect unless it is the beginning of a sentence.
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Capitalize the first word only if the quote is at the beginning of the sentence: This is correct. If the quote starts a sentence, the first word should be capitalized.
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Capitalize the first word if the quote is a complete sentence: This is correct. If the quoted material is a complete sentence and is placed in the middle of a sentence, the first word of the quote should be capitalized.
In summary, you should capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence if:
- The quote is at the beginning of your sentence, or
- The quote is a complete sentence within the text.
Otherwise, you do not capitalize the first word of the quote. Always be mindful of the specific style guide you may be following (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), as they may have additional rules or nuances.
1 answer