The capitalization of "elementary" depends entirely on its context within a sentence. Here's a breakdown:
When to Capitalize "Elementary"
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As the first word of a sentence: This is a basic rule of grammar. Always capitalize the first word of any sentence. For example: "Elementary schools often have playground equipment."
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As part of a proper noun: If "elementary" is part of a proper name (like the name of a school), then it should be capitalized. For example: "I attended Westside Elementary School." "My son is in the third grade at Sunnyside Elementary."
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In titles: Follow standard title capitalization rules. Typically, the first word and all significant words in a title are capitalized. For example: "The Importance of Early Elementary Education." "My Elementary School Years."
When NOT to Capitalize "Elementary"
- As a common noun: When used as a general descriptive term, "elementary" should not be capitalized. For example: "The concepts presented were quite elementary." "She found the math problem elementary." "He's taking an elementary course in physics."
In short: Think of it like this: if it's part of a specific name or title, capitalize it. If it's simply describing something as basic or fundamental, leave it lowercase.
