Border Patrol Practice Exam

Proper nouns must be ____.

1. Understood

2. Capitalized

3. Explained

4. Defined

The correct answer is: Capitalized

Proper nouns must be capitalized as a fundamental rule of grammar in the English language. Capitalization is used to signify that a noun is a specific name of a person, place, organization, or sometimes a thing. For example, names like "John," "Paris," and "Microsoft" are all proper nouns, and they begin with capital letters to distinguish them from common nouns, which refer to general items or categories, such as "man," "city," or "company." This capitalization serves a crucial purpose in written communication, helping readers to quickly identify proper nouns and understand the specific subjects being referenced. Recognizing and correctly using capital letters for proper nouns is essential for clarity and professionalism in both written and spoken language.