Page 176 - Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking

tomorrow.”) At this point, however, the distinctions between can and may are
almost completely lost to most English speakers. Can has for centuries been

taking on most of the job of may. May has become stigmatized as the preferred
choice of someone who is likely to correct your speech, even when it isn’t their

place.
May does have its uses in formal situations in which one is seeking

permission, such as, “May I have this dance?” or “May I say something, your
honor?”

17.4 Capital Letters

Use capital letters for proper nouns (see section 8.7) and at the beginning of a
sentence. Although some writers prefer not to capitalize their first and last

names, that is usually seen as pretentious and attention-seeking.

A common trait of unsophisticated writers is unnecessarily capitalizing
words, especially things that seem important to them. Usually, it’s best to keep a
very strict definition of a proper noun, which is a name given to someone or

something, and which is used as a form of address, in legal documents, or in a

well-known, exceptional way. I know that’s vague, but when in doubt, don’t
capitalize. English isn’t German!

■ OK: I spent three years in the Department of Antiquities.

■ Better: I spent three years in the department of antiquities.

■ OK: My major is in Political Science.
■ Better: My major is in political science.
■ OK: Our Security Staff lock up the building at night.

■ Better: Our security staff lock up the building at night.

See section 8.7, Proper Nouns, for more.

17.5 Clichés