Capitalizing On Clarity: Should Southern Be Capitalized?

As someone who frequently writes about my beloved South and its unique traditions, I often grapple with a simple yet perplexing question: Should ‘southern’ be capitalized?

This seemingly minor detail can cause quite a conundrum, making ‘southern’ one 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’ and ‘South’ when it’s part of a proper noun. For example:

She loves the hospitality of the Southern states.
Southern cuisine is known for its comfort foods like fried chicken and cornbread.
Southern literature often has a strong sense of place and focuses on family and tradition.
Filling out an RSVP card for Southern weddings can be confusing.

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.

3. Compass Directions Example

DO NOT capitalize ‘south’ or ‘southern’ when used to describe a location or as a compass direction. But 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 decided to study Southern Literature to understand her cultural roots better.
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 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 Lowcountry.
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 the Southern Hemisphere countries 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.

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 south 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.

Should “Southbound” Be Capitalized?

“Southbound” should not be capitalized unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence or is part of a title or headline. It is not a proper noun or a specific geographic location or region, so there is no need to capitalize it. However, if “southbound” is used as the name of a particular place or thing, it should be capitalized.

The term “southbound” 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 used as a proper noun. For example,

The Southbound Bus Company
The Southbound Train

Adjective, Adverb & Noun Example

Do not capitalize ‘southbound’ as an adjective, adverb, or noun unless it is part of a proper noun. For example:

Please take the southbound exit.
I’m going southbound on the highway via the Southbound Bus Company

Southern & South Capitalization Exceptions

Exceptions to grammar rules are not uncommon, and one such exception is capitalizing ‘Southern’ even when it’s not a proper noun. For instance, many publications capitalize ‘southern’ when referring to the American South. This exception exists because ‘The South’ is a distinct cultural region with its history and identity. Therefore, it should be capitalized when ‘Southern’ or ‘The South’ refers to this specific region.

It should be capitalized when ‘The South’ is used as a proper noun to refer to a specific region, such as the southern part of the United States. For example:

She was born and raised in The South.

However, it should not be capitalized when ‘the south’ describes a general direction or location. For example:

The storm is moving towards the south.

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.

Is Southern Capitalized In Southern Hospitality?

Yes, “Southern” is capitalized in “Southern hospitality.” It refers to a specific region and should be a proper noun.

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.

Is Southern Food Capitalized?

In general, “southern food” is not capitalized. However, it should be capitalized if it is part of a proper noun. For example, “Southern cuisine” or “Southern-style cooking” would be capitalized because they are proper nouns. But “The restaurant serves delicious southern food, such as biscuits and gravy and fried catfish” is not capitalized because southern is used as a descriptor to describe the type of cuisine served at the restaurant.

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 Charm Capitalized?

The “Southern Charm” reality show is set in Charleston, South Carolina should be capitalized. However, if ‘southern charm’ describes a particular type of mannerism associated with the American South or as a descriptor or adjective, it is typically not capitalized.

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 "Don'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’? What’s your funniest or most frustrating experience with these tricky rules? Share with us in the comments below!