i have a question about where a capital goes.

So I'm writing a mystery novel and everyone says detective lance and thats how he's referred as. Is it detective Lance or Detective Lance?

Also, I'm a bit confused on where these little guys goes into a story ; when would I use a ;

 

Capitalize Detective Lance. It is a proper appoellation. However, in the sentence:

In this case, detective is a common noun, and shoul not be capitalized.

I would recommend a good writer's guide such as The Little, Brown Handbook.

 

That's what I was thinking but I wasn't quite sure. Thanks.

 

If Detective is being used as part of the name, it should be capitalized. If it is not, it should not.

Consider: "I went to Sanibel Island with Aunt Margaret." OR,
"My aunt, Margaret Helms, won the lottery."

Also, when you use a term like "mom" or "dad" as a proper name, it is capitalized, as in, "If we don't stay too long, Mom said I could go." If it is not, as in, "My mom said I could go," it would not be capitalized.

Basically, whenever it is part of, or in place of, a proper name, it is capitalized.