Which sentence correctly uses capitalization for a family title when addressed directly?

Which sentence correctly uses capitalization for a family title when addressed directly?

• A. I asked mom to pass the salt.
• B. I asked Mom to pass the salt.
• C. I asked Mom to pass the SALT.
• D. I asked MOM to pass the salt.

Answer: (B)

When you address someone directly with a family title, you capitalize it. In this sentence you’re speaking directly to your mother, so using Mom with a capital M shows that you’re calling her by title as if you’re naming her in the sentence. The other forms—mom in lowercase, SALT in all caps, or MOM in all caps—don’t follow that standard convention for direct address or emphasis. So the capitalization of Mom correctly reflects addressing a specific person.

When you address someone directly with a family title, you capitalize it. In this sentence you’re speaking directly to your mother, so using Mom with a capital M shows that you’re calling her by title as if you’re naming her in the sentence. The other forms—mom in lowercase, SALT in all caps, or MOM in all caps—don’t follow that standard convention for direct address or emphasis. So the capitalization of Mom correctly reflects addressing a specific person.