English is not always simple, especially when working with words that sound alike but are spelled differently. One such word is “capital,” which is often confused with “capitol.” Whether you’re writing about money, cities, or government buildings, the correct spelling and usage of “capital” is essential for clear communication.
Understanding the Meaning of “Capital”
- Definition of “Capital”
The word “capital” has a number of various meanings, such as:
- A city which serves as the seat of government (e.g., “Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.”)
- Money or funds (e.g., “He invested a lot of capital in his new business.”)
- An upper-case letter (e.g., “Always begin a sentence with a capital letter.”)
- Something of vital or great significance (e.g., “Education is of capital significance.”)
- Common Confusion: “Capital” vs. “Capitol”
Capital – Refers to a city, money, importance, or capital letters
Capitol – Refers only to a government building (e.g., “The U.S. Capitol is in Washington, D.C.”)
How to Spell “Capital” Properly
- Recall the “A” for All Meanings
The word “capital” contains an “A”, which appears in:
- cApital city
- cApital letter
- cApital investment
This helps to differentiate it from “capitol”, used to refer to a building containing an “O” (think of the dome on a capitol building).
- Use Mnemonics to Avoid Mistakes
- “The capital city contains an A in its name”
- “A capital letter is tall, like a city’s tallest building”
- “Capitol contains an O for ‘only buildings'”
Best Practices for Using “Capital” Correctly
- When the main city of a state or country is referred to, say “capital” (e.g., “Paris is the capital of France.”)
- When money or investments are referred to, say “capital” (e.g., “He raised capital for his startup.”)
- When referring to capital letters, say “capital” (e.g., “Always write names with a capital letter.”)
Spell “Capital” with Confidence
It is easy to spell “capital” correctly once you are aware of its multiple meanings and don’t forget that all other uses have an “A” at the beginning. From cities to money, or in writing in general, accurate spelling ensures clear and professional communication.
The next time you hesitate, recall the A—and never get it wrong!