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Q&A Are position titles capitalized when the subject is dropped

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...

posted 9y ago by Lauren Ipsum‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-13T12:00:29Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/17411
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T04:17:04Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/17411
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T04:17:04Z (over 4 years ago)
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.”

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.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2015-05-23T11:08:19Z (almost 9 years ago)
Original score: 5