Quick Answer
In Chicago, MLA, APA, and AP styles, the word "at" stays lowercase in a title unless it is the first word, the last word, or it directly follows a colon or dash. That rule is consistent across every major American style guide.
You can also paste any title into the free title case converter at the top of the page to apply these rules automatically.
When you write a title, you might wonder about small words like 'at'. Should you capitalize them? Here is what you need to know.
Rules for Capitalizing 'At' in Titles
Most style guides agree on a simple rule: Capitalize important words in titles. But is 'at' important enough? In styles like APA, MLA, Chicago, and AP, short prepositions like 'at' are not capitalized in titles unless they are the first or last word. 'At' only has two characters and is usually not stressed in speech.
However, there are exceptions. If 'at' is part of a verb phrase, like 'Look at' or 'Throw at,' you might capitalize it to keep the phrase together. Imagine a book title, "Throw at the Moon" - here, 'at' starts an essential action in the title, so it gets a capital.
Examples of 'At' in Titles
For more clarity, consider these examples:
- In "Dinner at the Restaurant," 'at' stays lowercase because it's a preposition in the middle of the title.
- In "Lost at Sea," 'at' might be capitalized because it starts the title's last phrase.
- If you're naming a painting "At Sunrise," 'at' gets capitalized since it's the first word.
Now you'll have a better time crafting titles that follow the right capitalization rules!
Remember, when crafting your titles, consistency is key. Follow the style guide relevant to your work, but know that typically, the word 'at' is not capitalized in titles unless it is the first word or fits the specific rules of the style you're using. Check the guidelines for Chicago, MLA, APA, or AP styles to be certain. Keep learning about writing styles and your titles will shine! becoming more informed on title capitalization.
For a deeper breakdown of how each guide handles capitalization, see the title case styles guide.
