Tips on Capitalization

I went to see my Doctor today.

Did you join the Military?

I used to date him in High School.

I need to talk to my Mother.

She was a Nurse at the Hospital where I gave birth.

See anything wrong with the above bold words? They are capitalized when they don’t have to be.

I see this A LOT in manuscripts I edit. Why should these words be lowercased? Because they are not specific, because they are not naming a specific person, place, or thing.

Doctor is generic, common; however, Doctor Bacon is not.

The Military is generic, common; however, the U.S. Army is not.

High School is generic, common; however, Catonsville High School is not.

Mother is generic, common, when you are merely referring to her (on an aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, etc.) especially in a possessive way - like my mother or his grandfather; however, if you are calling your mother, naming your mother, Mother, then it’s not generic; it’s a name. For example: When Mother calls me, I pick up, never fail.

Nurse and Hospital are generic, common; however, seeing Nurse Jane at Memorial Hospital is not.