Result
Yes. "Be" is a verb, and every style guide capitalizes verbs in a title regardless of length. That includes every form of the verb: is, am, are, was, were, being, and "been."
"Be" by Style Guide
| Style guide | "Be" mid-title | Why |
|---|---|---|
| AP | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
| APA | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
| Chicago | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
| MLA | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
| AMA | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
| Bluebook | Capitalize | Verbs are major words |
Examples in Chicago Style
- How to Be a Better Writer
- To Be or Not to Be
- What It Means to Be Remote First
- Let It Be
"To Be or Not to Be" shows the contrast well: "Be" is a verb and capitalized, while "to" (the infinitive marker) and "or" (a conjunction) stay lowercase.
"Be" in Phrases
- Infinitives: in "How to Be Happy," "to" is lowercase in every guide and "Be" is capitalized.
- Passive voice: "Why Your Post Can't Be Found" capitalizes both helping verbs.
- Imperatives: "Be Kind, Rewind" capitalizes "Be" as the command verb.
Related Words
Other short verbs that people lowercase by mistake include "do", "go", and "has". For the words that really do stay lowercase, see the full list of words that stay lowercase.
Real Titles With "Be"
- Let It Be (The Beatles)
- Be Here Now (Ram Dass)
"Be" in Sentence Case
APA reference lists, many news sites, and most UI text use sentence case instead of title case. There, only the first word and proper nouns get capitals, so "be" is lowercase unless it starts the title: "How to be a better writer." Pick one of the two styles for a whole set of headings rather than mixing them.
Quick Answers
Should "be" be capitalized in a title?
Yes. "Be" is a verb, and every style guide capitalizes verbs.
Is "be" capitalized in APA?
Yes. APA capitalizes verbs regardless of length.
Is "to be" capitalized in a title?
"Be" is, "to" is not: "How to Be Happy."