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Is "Being" Capitalized in a Title?

Andy Feliciotti·1 min read

Style guide
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Yes. "Being" is a form of the verb "to be" (or a noun, as in "Human Being"), and every style guide capitalizes it in a title.

"Being" by Style Guide

Style guide"Being" mid-titleWhy
APCapitalizeVerbs are major words
APACapitalizeVerbs are major words
ChicagoCapitalizeVerbs are major words
MLACapitalizeVerbs are major words
AMACapitalizeVerbs are major words
BluebookCapitalizeVerbs are major words

Examples in Chicago Style

  • The Importance of Being Earnest
  • On Being a Beginner Again
  • Being Honest with Your Readers
  • What Being Early Taught Us

Every form of "to be" is capitalized: "is", "are", "was", "be", and "been."

For the short list of words that do stay lowercase, see the full list of words that stay lowercase.

"Being" 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 "being" is lowercase unless it starts the title: "The importance of being earnest." Pick one of the two styles for a whole set of headings rather than mixing them.

Quick Answers

Should "being" be capitalized in a title?

Yes. "Being" is a verb, and every style guide capitalizes verbs in title case.

Is "being" capitalized in APA?

Yes. APA capitalizes major words, including verbs, regardless of length.