Match Wits With Our Word Wizards

(Text-only version of Word Wizards)

Capitalization of Personal Titles

From each set, pick the capitalization choice that follows the Government Printing Office Style Manual.

1. I told (Judge, judge) Wapner that I didn’t deserve a parking ticket.
2. But the (Judge, judge) made me pay the fine.
3. I shouted, "Hey, everybody! There’s the (President, president! Mr. President, president), what are you doing here?"
4. Since Bobby Knight was "retired" from Indiana University, I.U. (President, president) Myles Brand has become a celebrity expert on the role of sports in university curriculums.
5. The (University President, university president) has been invited to comment on the subject on national talk shows.
6. Call the (Doctor, doctor), I need more pills.
7. "Hello, (Doctor, doctor) Feelgood--those pills you prescribed aren’t working."
8. Please ask (Nurse, nurse) Ratchett to give me some new pills.
9. Please ask the (Nurse, nurse) to give me some new pills.

For an explanation of the capitalization of personal titles, see Quirks of English.

Have you missed some Word Wizard articles? Would you like to revisit a few? Check out our Word Wizards Archive.

For more information about Word Wizards, contact Caroline.A.Rist@nasa.gov, (216) 433-5810, or Nancy.L.Obryan@nasa.gov, (216) 433-5793.

• What's the Word of the Week?
• Quick tips to improve your technical writing
• A guide to technical report writing
• Find out how Editorial can help you.

Skip Navigational Links

[Privacy Policy and Important Notices]

Responsible NASA Official: Natalie L. Henrich, Glenn Technical Publications Manager
Web Curator: Caroline A. Rist (Wyle)

Last updated: 4/22/2011