Is To Capitalized in a Title
To is not capitalized in a title because it is a short preposition or part of an infinitive.
What are Title Case and Sentence Case?
Definition of Title Case
Title case means capitalizing the major words in a title. Major words include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns.
Definition of Sentence Case
Sentence case capitalizes only the first word and proper nouns in a title.
Comparison Between Title Case and Sentence Case
Title Case: "The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog" Sentence Case: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
The General Rule for Capitalizing "To" in Titles
Understanding Short Words in Titles
In title case, short words like "to," "and," "in," and "of" are not capitalized if they have fewer than four letters.
Why "To" is Not Capitalized
"To" is a preposition or part of an infinitive verb (e.g., to run). Since it is a short word, it does not get capitalized in titles.
Examples:
"How to Train Your Dragon"
"Steps to Improve Your Writing"
"A Guide to Effective Marketing"
Exceptions to the Rule
When "To" Can Be Capitalized
There are specific contexts where "to" is not a preposition or part of an infinitive. For instance, if "to" is the first or last word in the title, it should be capitalized.
Examples:
"To Be or Not to Be"
"Welcome to the Future"
Different Style Guides and Their Rules
Different style guides have their own rules. The AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, and others may have slight variations.
For example, the AP Stylebook generally follows the rule of not capitalizing "to," while the Chicago Manual of Style provides more specific guidelines for different types of titles.
Practical Tips for Remembering the Rules
Mnemonic Devices and Tips
One simple way to remember is the phrase "Small Words Stay Small." This reminds you that short words like "to" usually remain lowercase.
Practice Exercises
Practice makes perfect. Try capitalizing the following titles:
"A Journey to the Unknown"
"How to Make the Perfect Coffee"
"From Zero to Hero"