To Capitalize or not to capitalize

[gmpro]

I understand the following usage to be correct:

1. I will bring it to my mom.

2. "Please bring it to Mom," I said.

When a narrator is speaking to his readers, which sentence is correct?

3. I always knew mom would come through for me.

4. I always knew Mom would come through for me.

[IvanV]

"Mum" and "dad" should not be capitalised unless you are referring to them as names.

e.g.

Ben, this is my mum,

but

Ben, do you know where Mum is?

[gmpro]

Yes, I understand that; however, if I, the narrator in a book, is directing my comments to my reader, which would be correct?

1. This was the first time mom ever said that to me?
2. I always knew dad would not let me down.
3. It's amazing how mom and dad survived the war as kids.

I know the rule you speak of, and the preceding sentences should be capitalized (the noun could be substituted for a name), but it just looks better not capitalized.

What do you think?

[gmpro]

oh my God--

AM directing my comments--sorry

[IvanV]

Yes, I understand that; however, if I, the narrator in a book, is directing my comments to my reader, which would be correct?

1. This was the first time Mom ever said that to me?
2. I always knew Dad would not let me down.
3. It's amazing how Mom and Dad survived the war as kids.

I know the rule you speak of, and the preceding sentences should be capitalized (the noun could be substituted for a name), but it just looks better not capitalized.

What do you think?

If mum and dad are used as substitute words for mother or father, than it's not capitalised, as you know. In given examples, it looks more like a substitution of a name, rather then mother and father.
I'd capitalise (no pun intended).

[IvanV]

oh my God--

AM directing my comments--sorry

Feel free to edit your posts.

[RonBee]

oh my God--

AM directing my comments--sorry

Do you mean it should be "I am"?

[thod00]

When a narrator is speaking to his readers, which sentence is correct?

3. I always knew mom would come through for me.

4. I always knew Mom would come through for me.

Capitalization is used to highlight in text. Thus its not really applicable when narrating.

In most situations 'mom' would be correct. Even though 'mom' describes a real person via a relationship it is not a proper name. You would not say 'John is my Brother', or 'the Car Mechanic".

The children may know their mother as 'Mom' and call her such. Thus it is a proper name, not a description of a relationship, and should be capitalized.

[IvanV]

Capitalization is used to highlight in text. Thus its not really applicable when narrating.

In most situations 'mom' would be correct. Even though 'mom' describes a real person via a relationship it is not a proper name. You would not say 'John is my Brother', or 'the Car Mechanic".

The children may know their mother as 'Mom' and call her such. Thus it is a proper name, not a description of a relationship, and should be capitalized.

What

[thod00]

What

You are thinking of a written commentary? Narration usually means a spoken commentary as mentioned by the OP.

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