Is “Without” Capitalized in a Title?
Without can function as a preposition. 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 internally when it is the preposition.
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 Without as a preposition. When a style treats prepositions differently from conjunctions/adverbs, the grammatical role matters.
Further guidance
Practical Application
For internal “without,” APA and Chicago 18 capitalize it under their current title-case rules, while MLA normally lowercases it when it functions as a preposition.
Quick rule
APA: capitalize internally.
Chicago 18: capitalize internally.
MLA: lowercase internally when it is the preposition.
Reader Check
Is the title governed by APA, Chicago 18, or MLA, and is “without” being used as the preposition? Apply the corresponding style rule.
Worked Example
Example: APA/Chicago — “Leadership Without Authority”; MLA — “Leadership without Authority.”
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
- WITHOUT — grammar and meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary / English Grammar Today · Prepositional status and usage context for “without”