Should govenment be capitalised?

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

Me and my essay again...

Should the word Government be capitalised?

In the context "....the Government has published a document...."

TIA

[Devora]

I work for the G/government and even we don't know. People just use them interchangeably.

[Fuchzia]

Yes

[edam]

It used to be cap G for 'the Government' in most style books (and lower case if you weren't using the definite article) but usage has changed and now many publications use lower case. It's a matter of choice. Do you have a clue about what the person marking your essay might prefer - what form their organisation uses, how old they are?

[lunchbox]

I love it when there's spelling mistakes in pedants corner

[lunchbox]

And when I spot one and announce it using incorrect grammar

[edam]

There we were, all being terribly polite and not pointing out the mistake... and then you make two mistakes yourself. Hoist with your own petard indeed!

[tethersend]

I dno't know what it is about this topic, but I always make errors when posting here.

It's the topic which punishes us for smuggery.

[tethersend]

Oh for fuck's sake.

[iklboo]

I prefer capital G for the noun Government but oddly don't like capital P for police. With a capital that just looks like I'm referring to Sting & his mates.

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

Right.

The mistake in the title was clearly a typo (cos I have spelt it correctly twice in the OP).

And I am here looking for advice cos I know my spelling and grammar are crap, therefore I am aware that I may end up with errors that I don't realise I am making.

Those that are giving me the advise should know better though .

So concensus is that 'the Government' is probably preferred, although in the context of my essay either could work as long as they are consistent.

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

or should I say advic*e (I think).

[Baconsarnie]

HLL, it should be capitalised if it refers to a specific administration, as your example does. But not if you're referring to the general government of a country, that is, how the country is governed.

[NellyJob]

government has a small g imho

[ninah]

I think it's like god, capitilise if you believe

[Zorayda]

Capped up if specific, not if generic: "The Oompa Loompa Government has announced...", as opposed to "if a government announces".

[Zorayda]

Sorry - just realised Baconsarnie said it before me.

[Baconsarnie]

Yes, but you explained it better, Zoradya!

[WMittens]

What BaconSarnie and Zorayda said.

[edam]

Baconsarnie and Zorayda are 'right' ish but usage is shifting. You don't have to cap up even the Government as opposed to a government, or the Prime Minister rather than a bunch of prime ministers if you don't want to. Important thing is to make a decision and be consistent, rather than mix initial cap and lower case randomly.