Westerners & Capitalized Words

[rainbow402]

Dear Teacher,

I am not sure when I should capitalize these words- west, western, westerners.

a western part
on the western coast
the western United States
Western civilization
Western Hemisphere

It seems when they are referred to related countries, they should be capitalized. And when they are referred to related geography, they shouldn't be capitalized. East, eastern,easterner, vice versa.

Am I right? Thank you!

 

[BobK]

:up: For example, we say 'Whitby is on the eastern coast of England' (geographical) but 'Hawaii is off the East Coast of the USA'. It can be confused when you refer to a particular direction - 'go West, young man' - or an area 'Marco Polo lived in the East for many years'; here, the 'rule' seems to break down - so usage can be fairly random.

b

 

[Barb_D]

but 'Hawaii is off the East Coast of the USA'.

Bob, I've found your answers on grammar are always really helpful, but your geography... well, that's another matter! ;-)

 

[BobK]

I gave up geography in 1965, in favour of Greek. ;-)

b

 

[rainbow402]

Sirs,

Thankee! Yet not understand. :roll:

 

[BobK]

I misplaced Hawaii. 'Gave up' = 'stopped doing' (that is, stopped studying, at school). The bit about Greek was true, though irrelevant - except in that it may give you some idea about my sense of priorities!

b