Capitalizing On Clarity: Should Southern Be Capitalized?

As someone who frequently writes about my beloved South and its unique traditions, I often grapple with simple yet perplexing questions:

Should ‘southern’ be capitalized?
Do you capitalize ‘Southern United States’?

And perhaps most importantly:

Do you capitalize ‘Southeastern United States’?

These seemingly minor details can cause quite a conundrum, making ‘southern’, ‘southeastern’, and their variations some of the most frequently questioned words in my writing journey!

A black sign with the words 'South' and 'Southern' in black on a yellow and purple background, with a magnifying glass beneath the words. The text on the sign reads Capitalization Decoded. South and Southern in Focus

Should Southern Be Capitalized?

“Southern” should be capitalized when part of a proper noun or at the start of a sentence. However, in general usage like compass directions, geographic regions, broad regions, seasons, or hemispheres, and as adjectives or descriptors, both “south” and “southern” should be written in lowercase.

And don’t worry; we won’t forget essential phrases like Southern charm or Southern hospitality.

1. Proper Noun Example

Capitalize “Southern” when it is part of a proper noun, including:

Geographic regions and places:

The Southern states are known for their hospitality.
She was born in the Southern Appalachian region.

Cultural traditions and cuisines:

Southern cuisine is famous for its comfort foods.
The traditions of Southern weddings are quite unique.

Titles of shows, books, movies:

They love watching the reality shows ‘Southern Charm’ and ‘Southern Hospitality’.
The book ‘Southern Hospitality: A Memoir ‘ explores the author’s roots.
Have you seen the classic movie ‘The Southern Belle’?

Organizations and Groups:

He is a member of the Southern Historical Association.
The Southern Baptist Convention held their annual meeting.

Essentially, any time “Southern” is part of a proper noun referring to a specific place, tradition, creative work title, organization or group name, it should be capitalized per standard capitalization rules.

The key is that these are established, unique entities rather than general descriptors. So capitalizing “Southern” distinguishes and formalizes them as proper nouns.

2. Start Of A Sentence Example

Capitalize ‘Southern’ and ‘South’ when used at the beginning of a sentence. For example:

South is the direction opposite to north on the compass.
Southern states in the US are known for their hospitality and delicious cuisine.
Southern literature often has a strong sense of place and focuses on family and tradition.

3. Compass Directions Example

DO NOT capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ when used to describe a location or as a compass direction.

DO capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ if they are part of a proper noun. For example:

The southern border of the property is lined with tall pine trees.
She watched the sunset in the southern sky.
She traveled south along the coast to explore the region’s Southern literature and cultural heritage.
She moved from New York to the South to immerse herself in its rich history and traditions.

A black sign with the word south defined in white letters, along with the capitalization rule for the word.

4. Geographic Regions Example

Capitalizing ‘southern’ when describing a geographical region is a matter of style rather than grammar, but typically you DO NOT capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ when describing a geographical location.

Remember, however, that it SHOULD BE CAPITALIZED when used as a proper noun or part of a proper name and if the region is widely known. For example:

If you drive south from Washington, D.C., you’ll eventually reach Richmond, Virginia.
We are planning a trip to the southern part of Florida, like the Florida Keys, this summer.
He plans a road trip through the Southern Appalachians to enjoy the scenic mountains and forests.
Many retirees move to the South for its warmer climate and slower pace of life.

5. Country Or Continent Example

DO NOT capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ when referring to general regions within countries and continents. These phrases are not proper nouns, so they are not capitalized. For example:

Key West is on the southern tip of Florida.
They decided to visit some national parks in the southern part of the Low-country.
Our flight leaves Atlanta and arrives in southern France the next morning.

6. Hemispheres Example

When we talk about the general concept of the ‘southern’ or ‘south’ hemisphere, we write it in lowercase. For example:

In the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere.
The southern hemisphere is home to diverse wildlife, including penguins in Antarctica.

However, when discussing specific regions or proper nouns like the Southern United States, we capitalize “Southern.” For instance:

The Southern United States experiences a milder winter than countries in the Southern Hemisphere, like Australia.
The Southern United States is known for its warm climate and hospitality, which is quite different from the countries located in the southern hemisphere.
You should capitalize the Southern United States when using it in a sentence.

7. Adjectives Or Descriptors Example

Do not capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ when referring to general regions inside countries or continents or as an adjective or descriptor. For example:

I’m looking for a southern-style restaurant.
The southern part of the United States is known for its vibrant music genres, such as blues, jazz, and country.
She enjoyed the warm and humid climate of the southern states during her summer vacation.

A black sign with the word southern defined in white letters, along with the capitalization rule for the word.

8. Southeastern Capitalization Rules

When it comes to the term “Southeastern,” the rules for capitalization can be a bit nuanced.

According to the guidelines set forth by major style guides, such as The Associated Press Stylebook and The Chicago Manual of Style, the word “southeastern” should be capitalized in the following instances:

Proper Noun Usage: When “Southeastern” is used as part of a proper noun, referring to a specific geographic region, it should be capitalized. For example:

“The Southeastern United States is known for its rich cultural heritage.”
“The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a prominent college athletic association.”

Directional Usage: If “Southeastern” is used as a directional term, indicating a specific compass direction, it should be capitalized. For example:

“The storm system is expected to move in a Southeastern direction.”
“The Southeastern part of the state is known for its picturesque landscapes.”

However . . .

General Descriptor or Adjective: If “southeastern” is used as a general descriptor or adjective, it should be written in lowercase. For instance:

“The southeastern cuisine in this region is heavily influenced by Spanish and French culinary traditions.”
“The southeastern corner of the park offers stunning views of the rolling hills.”

Should “Southbound” Be Capitalized?

“Southbound” should not be capitalized unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence or is part of a proper noun or title. When used as a general term indicating direction or movement toward the south, it should remain lowercase.

The term refers to a direction or movement toward the south or in the direction of the south. It can describe the movement of vehicles or people traveling south and the orientation of objects or locations toward the southern region. The term can be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun and is commonly used in transportation, navigation, and travel contexts.

Proper Noun Example: Capitalize “Southbound” when it is used as part of a proper noun or title, such as:

The Southbound Express Train
Southbound Travels Magazine

General Usage Example: Do not capitalize “southbound” when used as an adjective, adverb, or noun describing direction:

Take the southbound lane to exit the highway.
The cargo ship was sailing southbound along the coast.
We’re heading southbound for our beach vacation.

As with “southern” and “south,” the main rule is to capitalize “southbound” only when it is part of a proper noun or title. In standard conversational usage indicating direction or movement, it should remain lowercase.

Southern & South Capitalization Exceptions

While the general rules dictate capitalizing “Southern” and “South” primarily when used as proper nouns, there is an exception when these terms refer to the American South as a distinct cultural and geographic region.

Even though “Southern” and “South” may not be part of an official proper noun in these cases, many respected publications capitalize them to recognize the American South’s unique history, traditions, and identity. For example:

The rich traditions of the Southern states are deeply rooted in their shared past.
Southern hospitality is renowned for its warmth and graciousness.
The cuisine of the South is a delightful blend of diverse influences.

In these instances, capitalizing “Southern” and “South” is a stylistic choice rather than a strict grammatical rule. However, this exception is widely accepted and employed by major publications and style guides.

It’s important to note that this exception applies specifically when referring to the Southern United States as a cultural region. When using “southern” and “south” in their general dictionary definitions or other contexts, the standard capitalization rules still apply.

By allowing this exception, publications acknowledge the American South’s distinct cultural significance while maintaining consistency with capitalization guidelines for other regions.

Your Questions, My Answers

Do You Capitalize Southern Or Northern?

The words ‘southern’ and ‘northern’ are not generally capitalized since they are not proper nouns. However, if they appear at the beginning of a sentence, they should be capitalized.

Should Southern California Be Capitalized?

This depends on the context. For example, it should not be capitalized if referring to the region as ‘the southern part of California.’ However, if you are referring to the area of ‘Southern California, which is well known, it should be capitalized.

Do You Capitalize North And South When Talking About The Civil War?

Yes, ‘North’ and ‘South’ are typically capitalized regarding the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. For example, The North defeated the South in the American Civil War should be capitalized.

Is Southern Hospitality Capitalized?

When you’re talking about the warm and welcoming behavior typical in the Southern part of the United States, southern hospitality isn’t capitalized. It’s a general phrase, like good manners. However, when you refer to the popular reality show on Bravo, Southern Hospitality is capitalized because it’s the title of a TV show.

My Final Thoughts

As an avid user of ‘South,’ ‘Southern,’ and ‘Southbound’ in my writing, I’ve encountered the capitalization conundrum that can perplex even the most seasoned wordsmiths.

For me, it’s not just about following the rules; it’s about capturing the essence of my Southern roots with every line I write.

So, whether you’re from the Atlantic seaboard, the heartland, or anywhere else, let’s dive headfirst, have a good-natured chuckle, and navigate the twists and turns of these mischievous words – ’cause they sure do delight in keeping us on our toes! 😄

Scribble Of The Day: Capitalization Quote

Handwritten quote on a black background that says u0022Don't let improper capitalization take you down south. Stay on top of the rules

Have you ever had a capitalization conundrum when writing ‘southern’ or ‘south’ or ‘southeastern’ ? What’s your funniest or most frustrating experience with these tricky rules? Share with us in the comments below!