: Are position titles capitalized when the subject is dropped Deputy is not capitalized when referred to as a position. “The sheriff had many deputies.†“A deputy, a sheriff, and a judge
Deputy is not capitalized when referred to as a position.
“The sheriff had many deputies.â€
“A deputy, a sheriff, and a judge walked into a bar...â€
John is capitalized because it is a name.
“The criminal shot John.â€
“Thank you, John.â€
Deputy John is capitalized because it is a title.
“The criminal shot Deputy John.â€
“Thank you, Deputy John.â€
Question:
Is deputy capitalized when it is being used as a title and the subject (the noun) is dropped.
Examples:
“The criminal shot the deputy.†OR “The criminal shot the Deputy.â€
“Thank you, deputy.†OR “Thank you, Deputy.â€
What about:
“Put your hands in the air!" The deputy shouted. OR "Put your hands in the air!" The Deputy shouted.
Edit
I am not a writer but I wrote a fantasy novel as a way to relax. I am currently editing right now and I have learned a lot about grammar but I still have many questions. Sometimes I can find the answers via web searches on English/grammar sites, but this is one question for which I was unable to find an answer.
Most of the use cases would be along the lines of conversation where a persons title is used instead of their name.
Here are some excerpts for references:
“I would be most grateful for your assistance on the matter, [C/c]onstable.â€
The [C/c]onstable nodded and sat down.
Thanks.
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When a title precedes a name, it becomes part of the name, and is capitalized:
I spoke to Constable Fraser this morning.
(You don't use the title and the person's first name. Not in American English, anyway.)
When a title comes after a name or stands alone, it's descriptive. It's not a proper adjective or adjective phrase, and therefore is lowercase:
I spoke to the constable this morning. I spoke to Fraser, who is the constable.
In your examples:
The first one is being used as a form of address. I would capitalize it. The name is implied.
“I would be most grateful for your assistance on the matter, Constable.â€
When referring to the same person in the next sentence more broadly, not as a direct adress, lowercase the title:
The constable nodded and sat down.
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