The word “not” is an adverb that we use to express negation. Should you capitalize if it’s part of your title? Well, the short answer is yes! “Not” is capitalized in a title. But does this rule apply across different style guides? Let’s take a closer at the different style guides’ approach in answering the question, “Is it not capitalized in a title?”
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Title Capitalization Rules per Style Guide
Common style guides – Chicago Style, AMA Style, AP Style, and APA Style – have a different approach to capitalizing words in a title. But in general, they treat “not” as a major word that you should capitalize, regardless of where it appears in the title. The reason? “Not” is an adverb.
Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago Style)
The Chicago Manual of Style’s title capitalization guidelines states that all key words—nouns, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, pronouns, and adjectives—are ALWAYS capitalized. This rule has no exceptions since these words are viewed as important. Subtitles, words following colons, dashes, and the first and final words of the title are also included in this rule. So, “not” is capitalized in Chicago Style.
American Medical Association (AMA Style)
Just like the Chicago Manual of Style, AMA Manual of Style asks you to put the word “not” in uppercase, as well as other adverbs, such as but, to, and, as. Other parts of speech that are capitalized in AMA include prepositions (that are four letters long), nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, nouns, and pronouns.
Tip: For “to” in infinitives, you should put them in lowercase.
Associated Press Style (AP Style)
AP stylebook also has the same approach as the Chicago Style and AMA Style; adverb is a major word that you should capitalize. This capitalization rule applies even if the word “not” is in the middle of a title or subtitle.
Modern Language Association (MLA Style)
In the MLA Handbook, you will also have to capitalize the word “not.” According to the style guide’s title capitalization rules, nouns, verbs, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions should be capitalized.
American Psychological Association (APA Style)
In APA Style’s title case rules, adverbs are classified as major words, which receive the capitalization treatment. So, since the word “not” is an adverb, you should capitalize it if you are following the APA style.
Tip: All coordinating conjunctions in APA are in lowercase.
The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage
Just like the previous style guides, the NY Style also asks you to capitalize the word “not” because, again, it is an adverb. Keep in mind that words that shorter words (like or and as) are not capitalized in NY Style.
Bluebook
In the case of Bluebook, all words should be capitalized except minor words. That being said, you should capitalize the word “not” if it appears in your title.
Wikipedia Manual of Style (Wikipedia Style)
Lastly, we have the Wikipedia Manual of Style, and just like all the previous style guides that we’ve mentioned, Wikipedia Style also asks you to capitalize the word “not.” Other parts of speech that are capitalized in Wikipedia style are nouns, pronouns, verbs, nouns, adjectives, prepositions (5 letters long), and subordinating conjunctions.
When Should You Capitalize “Not”
You should capitalize “not” whenever it appears in your title. As you can see from above, all major style guides ask you to capitalize the word “not.” It doesn’t matter if the word “not” is not the first word or the last word of a title. As long as you have “not” in your title, always give it a capitalization treatment.
Tip: If the word “not” appears in the second part of your title (subtitle) or after a colon, you should still capitalize the first letter of the word.
When Shouldn’t You Capitalize “Not”
Since “not” is always capitalized regardless of its placement or what style guide you are following, there shouldn’t be an instance when you shouldn’t capitalize “not.”
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! The answer to the question, “is not capitalized in a title?” is a firm yes. It doesn’t matter whether you are following CMOS or the Associated Press Stylebook. As long as you have the word “not,” you should capitalize it.
What about other words should be capitalized in your title? Use our free title capitalization tool for quick capitalization, no matter what style you are following.
