When to use Lowercase
Here are the rules when not to capitalize terms.
Use lowercase for directional parts of states and directional parts of counties. CC_ID 06178
Examples:
northern Indiana
central Tippecanoe County
midwestern states
Use lowercase for general designations of buildings. CC_ID 06179
Examples:
library in Fort Wayne (but, the Fort Wayne Library)
the county courthouse
the Indianapolis post offices
Use lowercase for the words government or federal. CC_ID 06180
This applies except when “federal” is a part of the name of the agency or statute). However, use “United States” instead of “federal” when referring to a specific entity that does not have “federal” in the name. Always use the correct name of an agency. Examples:
United States government;
federal agencies (but, Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Use lowercase for the name of any legislative body, judiciary body, administrative body or government department unless specifically instructed to capitalize them. CC_ID 06181
This applies unless the name refers to a federal body, department, etc. Examples:
Indiana general assembly;
Indiana senate;
department of state revenue;
Congress of the United States;
Supreme Court of the United States
Use lowercase for official titles of state, official titles of county, or official titles of municipal officers, commissions, committees, or official titles of funds unless specifically instructed to capitalize them. CC_ID 06182
Examples:
clerk of the circuit court;
board of county commissioners;
public employees' retirement fund;
commission on the aging and aged;
legislative services agency;
state general fund
Use lowercase for substitutes for official titles if a person's name is not used. CC_ID 06183
Examples:
the governor;
the commissioner;
the speaker of the house
Use lowercase for references to laws on a particular subject. CC_ID 06184
Examples:
motor vehicle laws;
federal election laws;
federal tax laws (but, Internal Revenue Code)
Use lowercase for season names. CC_ID 06185
Examples:
spring;
summer session
Use lowercase for email addresses and URLs
RFC 2822 specifies that all email addresses and URLs are case sensitive. Therefore, always use lowercase for both email addresses and URLs.
Examples:
thedorian@snortblat.com
www.snortblat.com
Use lowercase following a defined term in a list
Examples:
Chicago Style – tells you to ignore using bold unless absolutely necessary.
APA Style – doesn’t cover bold at all.
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