Final answer:
Formal titles like 'Pastor' are capitalized when used directly before a person's name. In academic citations, titles of books and articles have significant words capitalized, and in business letters, the recipient's title is capitalized when it precedes their name and only the first word of the closing is capitalized.
Step-by-step explanation:
In English grammar, the use of capital letters is governed by specific rules that enhance clarity and ensure proper nouns and titles are given due importance. One such rule involves the capitalization of formal titles, such as 'Pastor,' which are capitalized only in specific contexts. One common context where formal titles are capitalized is when they are used directly before a person's name. For example, 'Pastor Smith' would require capitalization, but if the title appears in a general sense, such as 'the pastor of the church,' it would not be capitalized.
Additionally, proper capitalization is important in various writing formats including academic citations and business communications. Here are some guidelines regarding capitalization in academic citations and business letters:
- Title of a book or article in proper citation format should be italicized with significant words capitalized, and professional titles should not be listed with the author's name.
- In writing a business letter, the recipient is addressed by their title capitalized when used before the name, such as 'Ms. Thompson.'
- The closing of a business letter should have only the first word capitalized, for instance, 'Sincerely,' followed by a comma.