To Cap or Not to Cap: That is the Question (About “City” in New York City)
Okay, so you’re sitting there, minding your own business, maybe crafting a sonnet about the beauty of pigeons or something equally profound, and then bam, a question hits you like a stray slice of pizza: Do you capitalize “city” in “New York City”?
Let's dive into this linguistic labyrinth together.
The Great Capitalization Conundrum
You'd think this would be a straightforward question, right? Like, is the sky blue? Do pigeons enjoy crumbs? But no, language is a fickle mistress, and capitalization rules are her royal decree.
The general rule of thumb is that you do capitalize “city” when it’s part of the official name, like New York City, Los Angeles, or Paris. It's like giving a proper noun a fancy hat.
But here’s where things get interesting. If you’re just talking about a city in general, without specifying which one, then lowercase is the way to go. For example, “I want to live in a big city.” No need for caps there.
The Case of the Sneaky Nickname
Now, let's talk about nicknames. If a city has a cool nickname, like “The Big Apple” for New York City, then that nickname gets the capital letter treatment. It’s like giving your friend a cool nickname – you wouldn’t write “my friend john” would you?
When in Doubt, Check the Style Guide
If you're still feeling lost in the capitalization jungle, don't panic. Most style guides (like the AP Stylebook or Chicago Manual of Style) will have specific rules about city names. Just remember, consistency is key. Pick a style guide and stick with it.
In conclusion, capitalizing “city” in “New York City” is generally correct. But as with all language rules, there are exceptions. So next time you're drafting a love letter to the concrete jungle, or simply trying to impress your grammar-obsessed friend, remember these tips. And if all else fails, just blame autocorrect.
How-To Questions
How to know when to capitalize “city”?
- If it's part of the official name (like New York City), capitalize it.
- If you're referring to a city in general, lowercase it.
How to handle city nicknames?
- Capitalize city nicknames (like The Big Apple).
How to find the correct capitalization style?
- Consult a style guide like the AP Stylebook or Chicago Manual of Style.
How to avoid capitalization mistakes?
- Be consistent throughout your writing.
How to deal with capitalization stress?
- Take a deep breath and remember, language is meant to be enjoyed!