'Capital', 'capitol', and 'capital' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'capital', 'capitol', and 'capital' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.
'Capital' has multiple meanings and can be used as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, 'capital' refers to a city where a country's government is located or the money or assets owned by a person or business. As an adjective, 'capital' can mean excellent or important.
'Capitol' specifically refers to a building where a legislative body, such as the United States Congress, meets. It is often used to refer to the building in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. Congress convenes.
'Capital' is also used as an adjective to describe uppercase letters or the main or central point of something.
Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'capital', 'capitol', and 'capital'.
| 'Capital' | 'Capitol' | 'Capital' |
|---|---|---|
| 'Capital' can refer to a city where a country's government is located or the money or assets owned by a person or business. | 'Capitol' refers to a building where a legislative body meets. | 'Capital' can refer to uppercase letters or the main or central point of something. |
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To remember the difference between 'capital', 'capitol', and 'capital', it can be helpful to think of the 'o' in 'capitol' as representing the shape of the building, while 'capital' has a wider range of meanings related to cities, money, letters, and importance.
Here are some examples of correct usage:
- Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. (referring to a city)
- The protestors marched to the state capitol building. (referring to a specific building)
- Remember to write your name in capital letters. (referring to uppercase letters)
- His capital idea led to the success of the project. (referring to an important idea)
Remembering the correct usage of 'capital', 'capitol', and 'capital' will improve your grammar and communication skills.
