Help with English homework!

[Mishetta]

If there is a sentence that says "the president was at the convention center" would the "P" in president be capitalized? I'm thinking it should....


Please advise....

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would say only if you're referring directly about the President of the US....

I found this:

References to specific presidents and vice presidents of the United States, but lower case references that are general: Vice President John Adams went on to become our second president.

 

[kpm76]

Yes, MaryJo is correct.

 

[golfgal]

I think that since it is "The" President it refers to a specific president and therefore should be capitalized.

 

[Robinrs]

The sentence is referring to a specific person. Titles of high officials are capitalized when they are used in place of the official’s name.
It should not be capitalized if it were "the seat is reserved for a president or a king who resided there." If it is about a specific titled person it should be capitalized.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, if it is a specific person's title. Titles are capitalized.

Dr. Johnson
Mr. Wyle
etc....

In the sentence "George W. Bush is the president of the U.S." It is not being used as a title, therefore it is not capitalized.

In the sentence "In his remarks to the press, President Bush said ------." the word president is indeed being used as a formal title, and is therefore capitalized.

When, at a press conference, the members of the press call out "Mr. President... Mr. President..." Then, the title is being used as the proper name of this specific person. (Mr. President instead of Mr. Bush)

Does not matter if it is the president of the U.S., or president of the Glee Club. If the word is being used as a title or proper name. Then it should be capitalized.

Here is the kicker... In the OP's example, it says "The president". That could be, The 'janitor', The 'anything'. I am not sure that this is being used as a title. So, no, it should not be capitalized.

 

[disney junky]

 

[mickeyboat]

If there is a sentence that says "the president was at the convention center" would the "P" in president be capitalized? I'm thinking it should....


Please advise....

I would capitalize. It identifies THE President and not just any old president.

Denae

 

[Laura]

Use "president." If the sentence said "President George W. Bush," you should capitalize. The president of the United States, the president of Ford Motor Company, etc. are correct.

 

[disney junky]

Use "president." If the sentence said "President George W. Bush," you should capitalize. The president of the United States, the president of Ford Motor Company, etc. are correct.

That is correct only as it refers to the president of Ford Motor Company, not the President of the United States.
From Warriners English Grammar and Composition, fifth course, page 709, "The word president is always capitalized when it refers to the head of a nation; the compound word vice-president (with two capital letters) when it refers to the Vice-President of a nation."

 

[disneymom3]

So OP, feel any better about that answer yet?

If it helps any, I am firmly in the camp of yes capitalize.

 

[Laura]

That is correct only as it refers to the president of Ford Motor Company, not the President of the United States.
From Warriners English Grammar and Composition, fifth course, page 709, "The word president is always capitalized when it refers to the head of a nation; the compound word vice-president (with two capital letters) when it refers to the Vice-President of a nation."

It's probably too late for homework, but I wanted to add this from the Chicago Manual of Style:

CMS, 14th edition, paragraph 7.19, mentions that titles are commonly lowercase (president of the United States) but that there is an exception with the title of Speaker.

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/cmosfaq/cmosfaq.html

Besides, in this case, the sentence just says "president". President of what?

 

[my3kids]

Well the responses surely cleared everything up for the OP!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Disney Junkie,

Thanks for little rolling smiley....
Your attitude is showing, big time.

If you look at the OP again, Nowhere did it say that it was talking about the leader of a nation. It is never wise to go by assumption. It appears that you are basing your opinion that the OP's example should be capitalized on the assumption that we are talking about the leader of a nation.

Warriners English Grammar and Composition, fifth course, page 709, "The word president is always capitalized when it refers to the head of a nation"

In my post, I clearly stated that in the OP's given example, it could be like 'the janitor', or 'the anything'. (unless of course the word was being used in the context of a formal title)

Here are some examples I just pulled off the web...

Capitalize titles preceding personal names, abbreviations of those titles used with proper names, initials, or titles when used alone in place of the name or person

Capitalize the offical names of governmental officers, offices, and bodies. When referring to the President of the United States, always capitalize President, and capitalize names of other officers when used in place of specific individuals.

If it makes you feel so much better, and so high and mighty, to personally judge and attack me, even if I might not be 100% exactly correct, then go ahead. Show your true colors