When To Capitalize Seasons Jun 2026
| Correct (lowercase) | Also Correct (exceptions) | |---------------------|---------------------------| | I love summer break. | The Internship Program (official name) | | Fall colors are beautiful. | Fall is here. (start of sentence) | | We met in winter 2022. | Beware of Old Man Winter . (personification) |
This guide provides a definitive breakdown of when to capitalize spring, summer, fall (or autumn), and winter, along with the exceptions that prove the rules. when to capitalize seasons
In the landscape of English grammar, few topics cause as much casual confusion as the capitalization of the four seasons. Unlike the days of the week or months of the year—which are proper nouns that demand a capital letter—seasons occupy a unique gray area. They function as both common nouns and proper nouns, depending entirely on context. | Correct (lowercase) | Also Correct (exceptions) |
In literature, poetry, or creative writing, seasons are sometimes treated as characters or living entities. When a season is given human qualities or agency, it becomes a proper noun. (start of sentence) | | We met in winter 2022
It's worth noting that some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend capitalizing seasons when they are used in specific contexts, such as in reference to a particular year's seasons. For example: