Fact Check: Are days of the week capitalized?

Are Days of the Week Capitalized?

Introduction

The claim in question is whether the days of the week should be capitalized in English writing. This topic often arises in discussions about grammar and punctuation, leading to confusion among writers and students alike. The consensus among various grammar resources suggests that the days of the week are indeed capitalized, but the nuances of this rule and its application can vary.

What We Know

General Rule: In English, the days of the week—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—are classified as proper nouns. As such, they are always capitalized, regardless of their position in a sentence 1 3 5 6.
Consistency Across Sources: Multiple grammar resources confirm this rule. For instance, Grammarly states that the days of the week should always be capitalized 2. Similarly, GrammarMill and ProWritingAid reiterate this point, emphasizing that this rule is consistent in English grammar 3 4.
Importance of Capitalization: Capitalizing the days of the week serves to distinguish them as specific entities, akin to names of people or places, which also require capitalization 5 6 8. This practice aids in clarity and comprehension in written communication.

Analysis

The sources cited provide a strong consensus on the capitalization of days of the week, but it is essential to evaluate their credibility and potential biases:

GrammarBrain and GrammarMill are both dedicated grammar resources that aim to educate readers on proper writing techniques. They provide clear explanations and examples, which enhances their reliability 1 3.
Grammarly, a widely recognized tool for writing assistance, has a vested interest in promoting correct grammar usage, which may lend credibility to its guidelines. However, it is crucial to consider that their primary goal is to enhance user experience, which could introduce a slight bias towards promoting strict adherence to grammar rules 2.
ProWritingAid and GrammarFlex also focus on grammar education and provide similar guidance, reinforcing the idea that capitalization is a standard practice in English 4 5. Their alignment with other sources adds to the reliability of the claim.
The Fiveable library source, while informative, does not provide a clear indication of its editorial oversight or the expertise of its contributors, which raises questions about its reliability 6.
Become a Writer Today and Two Minute English offer straightforward explanations about the capitalization rules, but like the other sources, they do not delve deeply into the reasoning behind these rules or their exceptions 7 8.

While the majority of sources agree on the capitalization of days of the week, it would be beneficial to explore academic or linguistic studies that discuss the evolution of grammar rules, as this could provide a deeper understanding of why such conventions exist.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The evidence strongly supports the claim that the days of the week should be capitalized in English writing. The consensus among multiple reputable grammar resources, including Grammarly, GrammarMill, and ProWritingAid, confirms that these terms are treated as proper nouns and should always be capitalized. This practice not only aligns with grammatical standards but also enhances clarity in written communication.

However, it is important to acknowledge that while the sources cited provide a robust agreement on this rule, the discussion around grammar can be nuanced. The lack of in-depth exploration into the historical context or exceptions in some sources indicates a limitation in the available evidence. Additionally, the potential biases of certain sources, particularly those with commercial interests, should be considered when evaluating their recommendations.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information themselves and consult a variety of sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of grammar rules and their applications.