Which Words Should Not Be Capitalized in a Title?
Learn which words usually stay lowercase in titles, including articles, conjunctions, prepositions, infinitive to, and the important differences between style guides.
Words that stay lowercase in title case are usually called minor words. The common examples are articles, coordinating conjunctions, and some prepositions. The complication is that there is no single minor word list that works for APA, AP, Chicago, MLA, Bluebook, and every other style.
A word can be lowercase in one style and uppercase in another. It can also change simply because it moved to the beginning or end of the title.
This guide explains the patterns that matter.
Articles Are Usually Lowercase in the Middle
English has three articles:
a
an
the
In title case, they are usually lowercase when they appear in the middle.
Example:
A Walk in the Park
“The” remains lowercase.
Another example:
Writing an Effective Introduction
“an” stays lowercase.
However:
The Art of Editing
“The” is capitalized because it begins the title.
The First Word Is Not Lowercase
Even if the first word is normally minor, capitalize it.
Wrong:
the Art of Editing
Correct:
The Art of Editing
The same rule applies when the title begins with “a” or “an.”
A Guide to Research
An Introduction to Editing
Position overrides the normal lowercase rule.
The First Word of a Subtitle Is Capitalized
A subtitle commonly begins after a colon.
Example:
Writing for Students: A Practical Guide
“A” is capitalized because it begins the subtitle.
Do not apply the ordinary article rule to a word that starts the subtitle.
Coordinating Conjunctions Often Stay Lowercase
Common coordinating conjunctions are:
and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet
Example:
Writers and Editors
“And” remains lowercase.
Example:
Clear but Concise Writing
“But” remains lowercase in many major styles.
The details can vary when length rules apply or when a word is functioning differently.
Short Prepositions Often Stay Lowercase
Common short prepositions include:
at
by
for
in
of
on
to
Examples:
A Guide to Writing
The History of Publishing
Writing in Context
These words are lowercase in many title styles when they appear in the middle.
Where Style Guides Start to Disagree
Longer prepositions create the biggest differences.
Consider:
with
about
between
through
APA title case capitalizes words of four letters or more.
Chicago 18 capitalizes prepositions of five letters or more.
MLA generally lowercases prepositions in the middle regardless of length.
AP composition title rules capitalize words of four letters or more.
This gives us different outputs.
Input:
writing with purpose
APA:
Writing With Purpose
AP:
Writing With Purpose
Chicago:
Writing with Purpose
MLA:
Writing with Purpose
Input:
thinking about language
APA:
Thinking About Language
AP:
Thinking About Language
Chicago:
Thinking About Language
MLA:
Thinking about Language
A universal “never capitalize prepositions” rule is therefore wrong.
Is “to” Capitalized?
“To” can function as a preposition or as part of an infinitive.
Example:
How to Write Clearly
Chicago and MLA generally keep infinitive “to” lowercase.
AP composition title style can capitalize the infinitive “To.”
The correct answer therefore depends on the style.
Is “for” Capitalized?
“For” is a short word with several possible grammatical functions.
In a title such as:
Writing for the Web
it is typically lowercase.
However, if it appears as the final word:
What Writers Are Looking For
the last word rule can capitalize it in styles that require the last word to be capitalized.
A small word can therefore change case without changing spelling.
Is “as” Capitalized?
“As” can function in different ways. It can be a preposition, conjunction, or adverb depending on context.
Some title systems treat grammatical role as important.
A converter that simply marks every “as” lowercase can be too simplistic.
If the phrase is unusual or professionally important, verify the grammatical use and the current style guide.
Is “that” Capitalized?
“That” is often a subordinating conjunction or pronoun.
Because it can function as a major word, it is not safe to put “that” on a universal lowercase list.
Example:
The Book That Changed Publishing
“That” is commonly capitalized in title case because of its grammatical role.
This is another example of why word length alone cannot solve every title.
Is “is” Lowercase Because It Is Short?
No.
“Is” is a verb, and verbs are major words.
Correct:
Why Editing Is Important
A common beginner mistake is to lowercase any word with two or three letters. That would incorrectly change short verbs and pronouns.
Other short major words can include:
Be
Do
Go
He
It
We
These are not automatically minor because they are short.
The Last Word Can Override the Rule
Many title systems capitalize the last word.
Example:
The Place We Came From
“From” is the last word, so it may be capitalized even though it could be a lowercase preposition in the middle.
This is why title case requires position awareness.
Phrasal Verb Particles Can Be Capitalized
Consider:
How to Give Up Bad Habits
“Up” is part of the phrasal verb “give up.” Some styles capitalize particles because they are part of the verb.
A converter that treats “up” only as a preposition can produce the wrong result.
Grammatical function matters.
Hyphenated Minor Words
A compound can contain a short word that would be minor on its own.
Examples:
state-of-the-art
up-to-date
Styles differ in how they treat the individual parts.
Do not manually lowercase every short component without checking the selected rule set.
Proper Names Are Exceptions
A proper name can contain a word that looks like a minor word.
Examples:
The New York Times
The Hague
University of California
The official or conventional styling of the name may determine capitalization.
Title case rules should not casually rewrite a proper name.
A Better Way to Think About Minor Words
Instead of memorizing a giant blacklist, ask four questions:
- What part of speech is the word?
- Where does it appear in the title?
- Which style guide am I using?
- Is it part of a proper name or special term?
That approach handles more real titles than a simple list.
Common Minor Word Categories
Depending on style, likely lowercase categories include:
- Articles in the middle
- Coordinating conjunctions
- Short prepositions
- Infinitive “to” in styles that lowercase it
Possible minor words include:
a
an
the
and
but
or
nor
for
at
by
in
of
on
to
Never treat the list as universal.
Why CapitalizeText.live Uses Style Presets
If every style used the same lowercase words, one Title Case button would be enough.
They do not.
That is why CapitalizeText.live separates APA, AP, Chicago, MLA, Bluebook, AMA, NYT, and Wikipedia. Select the style first, then apply Title Case so the converter can use the correct minor word rules.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should “and” be capitalized in a title?
Usually not in the middle of a title under major title case styles. It is capitalized if it begins the title or subtitle, and position can matter at the end.
Should “with” be capitalized?
APA and AP title case capitalize “With” because it has four letters. Chicago and MLA generally lowercase it when it functions as a preposition in the middle.
Should “about” be capitalized?
APA, AP, and Chicago 18 capitalize “About” in ordinary title case contexts. MLA generally lowercases it when it functions as a preposition in the middle.
Are all three letter words lowercase?
No. Short verbs and pronouns are major words. “Is,” “Be,” “He,” “It,” and “We” can be capitalized despite their length.