1. vanilla16

    vanilla16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2011
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    U.S.A.

    Are you supposed to capitalize "sun"?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by vanilla16, May 4, 2012.

    Like in this sentence: "The sun cast its brilliant rays over the clouds as it broke through."
     
  2. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2007
    Messages:
    10,704
    Likes Received:
    3,425
    Location:
    Northeast England
    Yea. The Sun is the name of the star at the centre of our solar system.
     
  3. The Tourist

    The Tourist Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    Messages:
    1,081
    Likes Received:
    28
    Location:
    Wisconsin.
    I figure it this way. A sun is just a star, sometimes with orbiting planets. A dime a dozen.

    Our sun is named "Sol." You could capitalize that when needed.
     
  4. vanilla16

    vanilla16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2011
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    Okay, thanks for answering so quickly! :-D I guess that means Earth should be capitalized also?
     
  5. The Tourist

    The Tourist Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    Messages:
    1,081
    Likes Received:
    28
    Location:
    Wisconsin.
    I have always seen the names of planets capitalized. Jupiter is a name, so it follows that 'Earth' is a name, as well.
     
  6. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2007
    Messages:
    10,704
    Likes Received:
    3,425
    Location:
    Northeast England
    Yes. All proper nouns must be capitalized.
     
  7. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    In general, sun and moon are treated as common nouns (not capitalized). However, Sun and Moon are also the proper names for those celestial bodies, although Sol and Luna are alternate names. When used in the context of celestial bodies, the Sun and the Moon are capitalized like any other named bodies.

    The Sun and Moon are also capitalized in contexts where they are treated as gods or god-surrogates.
     
  8. madhoca

    madhoca Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,604
    Likes Received:
    151
    Location:
    the shadow of the velvet fortress
    Sorry, but no. Not always.
    You only capitalise sun, moon and earth when you are writing about them as a celestial body in context with other other celestial bodies such as Mars, Jupiter etc. You do NOT capitalise them in your sentence, or other sentences like,
    "Where on earth were you?"
    or
    "Look at the lovely full moon."
    But you should write:
    "The Sun is larger than the Earth and the Moon."
    "Earth is nearer the Sun than Mars."

    Edit: I see Cog beat me to it!
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    ditto cog and mad...
     
  10. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    6,541
    Likes Received:
    4,776
    I think the previous users were pulling the OP's leg :D

    Considering only the example the OP gave - no, of course not! And I've never seen it capitalised anywhere except astrology books where they're really talking about the stars/planets themselves.
     
  11. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    i don't know why you'd think that... what cog said is correct... as for mad's examples, i think there could be some author's stylistic preference allowed there, from an editor's pov, though he's correct in re the formal rules 'n regs...
     
  12. Darin Peaker

    Darin Peaker New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2011
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    London, Ontario, Canada
    Same with earth/Earth. "Her eyes were brown, like rich earth warmed by the sun." "The Earth is the third planet from the Sun."
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice