Titles can be tricky. If you’ve ever paused before hitting publish on a blog post, essay, or headline, wondering whether “Are” should be capitalized in a title, you’re not alone. Capitalization rules in English aren’t just about grammar; they reflect style guides, readability, and even credibility. Is “Are” Capitalized in a Title? .
The short answer? Yes, “Are” is capitalized in a title. But the longer explanation involves understanding why, when, and how capitalization works across different writing systems like AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, APA, and AMA. This article dives deep into the details, clears up common confusions, and provides practical tools, tables, and examples to make your titles shine with professional polish.
Why Capitalization in Titles Matters
Capitalization isn’t just about “looking right.” It impacts clarity, professionalism, and audience trust. Imagine seeing these two headlines side by side:
- Are Dogs Really Man’s Best Friend?
- are dogs really man’s best friend?
The first feels polished and intentional, while the second seems rushed or informal. Readers—even unconsciously—judge the credibility of content based on such small details. That’s why copyeditors, journalists, publishers, and even graphic designers stick closely to style guidelines.
Read More: Idol vs. Idle vs. Idyll: Mastering the Three Tricky Homophones
Is “Are” Capitalized in a Title?
Yes. Always.
Here’s why:
- “Are” is a verb. Verbs are considered major words in English title case.
- Major words—including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions—are capitalized.
- “Are” isn’t a minor word (like a, an, the, and, but, for, or, nor, on, in, with).
Think of it as a golden rule: If it’s a verb, it gets a capital letter—no matter its length.
Example Titles
- Why Are Writers Obsessed With Grammar?
- Where Are the Wild Things?
- Are We There Yet?
The Role of Style Guides
Different writing fields follow different style guides. Each guide has rules that may vary slightly, but they all agree on one thing: verbs like “Are” should be capitalized.
| Style Guide | Rule on Verbs | Capitalization of “Are” | Where It’s Commonly Used |
| AP Stylebook | Capitalize all verbs | Capitalize Are | Journalism, news, PR |
| Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) | Capitalize verbs, regardless of length | Capitalize Are | Books, academic publishing |
| MLA Style | Capitalize verbs | Capitalize Are | Humanities, literature |
| APA (American Psychological Association) | Capitalize verbs | Capitalize Are | Social sciences, psychology |
| AMA (American Medical Association) | Capitalize verbs | Capitalize Are | Scientific, medical writing |
No matter the guide, “Are” is always treated as a major word.
Common Misconceptions
Many learners confuse “Are” with articles, short prepositions, or conjunctions because it’s only three letters long. But length doesn’t decide capitalization—function does.
- Myth: Short words don’t get capitalized.
- Truth: Words like Are, Be, Is, Run, Go are capitalized because they’re verbs.
Compare:
| Correct | Incorrect |
| Where Are You Going? | Where are You Going? |
| Why Are We Still Waiting? | Why are We Still Waiting? |
Rules of Thumb for Capitalization
Here’s a quick way to remember title capitalization rules:
- Capitalize major words: Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions (Although, Because, Since).
- Lowercase minor words: Articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor), and most short prepositions (in, at, on, by).
- Always capitalize the first and last word—no matter what.
| Word Type | Examples | Capitalized in Titles? |
| Nouns | dog, book, school | Yes |
| Pronouns | I, you, we | Yes |
| Verbs | run, is, are, be | Yes |
| Adjectives | happy, bright | Yes |
| Adverbs | quickly, very | Yes |
| Articles | a, an, the | No (unless first/last word) |
| Conjunctions | and, but, or | No (unless first/last word) |
| Prepositions | in, on, at, by | No (unless first/last word) |
Real-Life Examples From Books and Media
- Where Are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
- Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Notice how “Are” is always capitalized. Publishers, journalists, and academics across industries apply the same rule.
Advanced Cases: Hyphenated and Compound Titles
What about hyphenated compounds? The same logic applies—capitalize the verb no matter where it falls.
- How Are Well-Tempered Titles Written?
- Are Pre-Empted Rules Ever Confusing?
Hyphenated adjectives follow slightly different rules depending on style guides, but verbs like “Are” never slip through the cracks.
Tools to Check Your Titles
If capitalization rules still trip you up, online tools can help:
- Grammarly: Highlights capitalization errors.
- Titlecaseconverter.com: Automatically formats your headline.
- AP Stylebook Online: Official guide for journalists.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS): The gold standard for books and academic papers.
Practical Takeaways
- Always capitalize “Are.” It’s a verb and verbs are never considered minor words.
- Follow the style guide relevant to your field (AP, CMOS, MLA, APA, AMA).
- Check titles with a capitalization tool if in doubt.
- Remember function, not length. Short verbs still count as major words.
FAQs
Q1: Why is “Are” capitalized in a title?
Because it’s a verb, and all verbs are considered major words under every major style guide.
Q2: Does word length affect capitalization?
No. A word’s role (verb, noun, etc.) determines capitalization—not its length.
Q3: Do all style guides agree on capitalizing “Are”?
Yes. AP, Chicago, MLA, APA, and AMA all require verbs like “Are” to be capitalized.
Q4: Should “Are” be capitalized in subtitles and headings?
Yes, if you’re using title case. Some styles use sentence case for subheadings, where “are” would be lowercase.
Q5: Can “Are” ever be lowercase in a title?
Only if the entire title is in sentence case (e.g., “Why are we late today?”).
Conclusion
So, is “Are” capitalized in a title? Yes—always. It’s a verb, and all major style guides agree it should be capitalized in title case. Remember: length doesn’t matter, function does. Following this rule ensures your titles look professional, clear, and consistent—whether you’re writing a novel, an academic paper, a blog post, or a press release.
When in doubt, lean on style guides, keep function at the front of your mind, and use tools to double-check your work. With these rules, you’ll never second-guess the capitalization of “Are” again.
