"Has" is a third-person singular form of the verb "to have", used both as a main verb (possession) and as an auxiliary verb (perfect tenses). The short answer: yes, capitalize "Has" in any title position across every major style guide.
This guide covers how Chicago, MLA, APA, AP, AMA, the New York Times, Wikipedia, and Bluebook each treat "has", with real examples and the common mistakes that trip writers up.
Quick Reference: "Has" by Style Guide
| Style Guide | Capitalize "Has"? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago (CMOS) | Yes | Verbs are always capitalized in title case |
| APA (7th edition) | Yes | Verbs are always capitalized regardless of length |
| MLA | Yes | Verbs are principal words |
| AP (Associated Press) | Yes | Verbs are capitalized; the 4-letter rule does not apply to verbs |
| AMA | Yes | Verbs are major words |
| New York Times | Yes | Verbs capitalized in headlines |
| Wikipedia | Yes | Verbs are major words in article titles |
| Bluebook | Yes | Verbs capitalized in case names and brief titles |
Across every major style, "Has" is capitalized in any title position. Pronouns, verbs, and conjunctions of 4+ letters are principal words and never get lowercased.
Chicago Manual of Style
Chicago capitalizes verbs in headline-style titles. "Has" is a verb, capitalized in any position.
MLA Style
MLA capitalizes verbs as principal words. "Has" stays capitalized regardless of length.
APA Style
APA capitalizes verbs regardless of length. The 4-letter shortcut only applies to conjunctions, prepositions, and articles. "Has" is always capitalized.
AP Style
AP capitalizes verbs in headlines. The 4-letter rule does not lowercase verbs. "Has" is always capitalized.
AMA Style
AMA treats verbs as major words. "Has" is capitalized in any AMA title position.
New York Times Style
The Times capitalizes verbs in headlines as principal words. "Has" is capitalized in every NYT headline that uses it.
Wikipedia Manual of Style
Wikipedia capitalizes verbs as major words. "Has" is capitalized in any Wikipedia article title.
Bluebook (Legal Writing)
Bluebook capitalizes verbs in case names, brief titles, and law-review article titles. "Has" is capitalized in legal writing.
Real Titles That Use "Has"
- Time Has Come Today by The Chambers Brothers song. Verb mid-title.
- What He Has Forgotten. Auxiliary verb mid-title.
- Has Anyone Seen My Pants. First word, verb.
- Everything He Has Said. Auxiliary verb mid-title.
Common Mistakes
Two errors come up with "has." One is lowercasing it because it has only three letters, the way you would lowercase a short preposition. The other is reading it as a helping word that does not deserve emphasis. "Has" is a verb in every title context, and verbs stay capitalized regardless of length. "What He Has Forgotten" is the correct form.
Apply the Rules Automatically
Paste your title into the free title case converter at the top of the page. Pick your style and the tool handles "has" along with every other word in the title.
