Is “Along” Capitalized in a Title?
Along can function as a preposition or adverb. APA, Chicago 18, and MLA do not use one universal “small word” rule; capitalization depends on style and, where the word has multiple grammatical roles, on its function in the title.
APA: capitalize internally. Chicago 18: capitalize internally. MLA: lowercase it as a preposition; capitalize it when it functions as an adverb/major word.
Key details
Important caveats
Automation boundary
Automatic treatment is appropriate only when the grammatical role is clear. If part of speech or embedded-title structure is unresolved, do not guess.
Grammar Boundary
Cambridge documents Along as a preposition or adverb. When a style treats prepositions differently from conjunctions/adverbs, the grammatical role matters.
Further guidance
Practical Application
APA and Chicago 18 capitalize internal “Along.” MLA lowercases it as a preposition but can capitalize it when it functions as an adverb/major word.
Quick rule
APA: capitalize internally.
Chicago 18: capitalize internally.
MLA: lowercase it as a preposition; capitalize it when it functions as an adverb/major word.
Reader Check
For MLA, can you determine whether “along” is prepositional or adverbial from the title’s syntax? If not, leave the case unresolved rather than guessing.
Worked Example
Prepositional use: “Walking along the River” follows MLA’s lowercase treatment; an adverbial principal-word use may require capitalization.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Title case capitalization (opens in a new tab)American Psychological Association · APA title-case rules
- What's New in the 18th Edition (opens in a new tab)The Chicago Manual of Style / University of Chicago Press · Chicago 18 title-case terminology and five-letter-preposition change
- Headlines and Titles of Works — Chicago Q&A (opens in a new tab)The Chicago Manual of Style / University of Chicago Press · Chicago title-case rules and current-edition updates
- How should I capitalize the title of a handout? (opens in a new tab)MLA Style Center / Modern Language Association · MLA title-style capitalization
- In MLA style, should any part of a two-word preposition be capitalized in a title? (opens in a new tab)MLA Style Center / Modern Language Association · MLA editorial guidance on internal prepositions in titles
- Along or alongside? (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary / English Grammar Today · Prepositional and adverbial roles of “along”