Yes, Tuesday is a proper noun.
Understanding Proper Nouns
In English grammar, a proper noun is a specific name for a particular person, place, organization, or thing. Unlike common nouns, which refer to general categories (e.g., "day," "city," "river"), proper nouns identify unique entities. A key characteristic of proper nouns is that they are always capitalized, regardless of where they appear in a sentence.
Why Days of the Week Are Proper Nouns
The word "Tuesday," like all the names for the days of the week, is considered a proper noun. This is because it is the official and specific name given to a particular day in the weekly cycle. It distinguishes that specific day from any other day.
For example, when you say "Tuesday," you are referring to a distinct, named entity, not just a generic "day." This specificity is what qualifies it as a proper noun.
Common vs. Proper Nouns
To further clarify, consider the distinction between common nouns and proper nouns:
| Category | Description | Examples | Capitalization Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Noun | General names for people, places, things, or ideas. | day, month, city, country, river, book | Only capitalized at sentence start. |
| Proper Noun | Specific names for unique people, places, or things. | Tuesday, January, London, France, Nile, The Great Gatsby | Always capitalized. |
For more details on proper nouns, you can explore resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Examples of Proper Nouns for Days of the Week
All the days of the week are treated as proper nouns and are therefore capitalized. These include:
- Sunday
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
Each of these words refers to a specific, named day within the week.
Key Takeaways for Capitalization
Understanding that days of the week are proper nouns has practical implications for writing:
- Always Capitalize: Always begin the name of any day of the week with a capital letter, no matter where it appears in a sentence.
- Example: "I have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning."
- Example: "Monday is the start of the work week."
- Related Terms: While the day itself is capitalized, common nouns referring to periods of time are not unless they start a sentence.
- Example: "The week flew by quickly." (Common noun)
- Example: "We look forward to the weekend." (Common noun)
By consistently capitalizing the names of the days, you ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. You can learn more about general capitalization rules from trusted sources like Grammarly.
