In title case, the capitalization of small words like "does" and "get" often causes confusion among writers, students, and even editors. The rules aren't always intuitive, and different style guides apply slightly different criteria. Understanding when these short words should appear in uppercase versus lowercase is essential for producing polished, professional-looking titles across essays, articles, books, and social media posts. This article dives deep into the mechanics of title case, explains the positioning of helper verbs and short words, compares major style guides, and provides clear examples so you can apply the rules with confidence.
The Basics of Title Case
Title case is a capitalization style in which the first and last words of a title are always capitalized, along with all "major" words such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. "Minor" words—typically articles, coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions—are usually left in lowercase unless they fall at the start or end of the title. The goal is visual balance and readability, allowing the reader's eye to glide across the title without unnecessary interruptions from capital letters.
The distinction between major and minor words often depends on the specific style guide being followed. That said, the general principle remains: words that carry the primary meaning or action of the title are capitalized, while structural words that glue the title together are often lowercase. This is where "does" and "get" frequently appear, as they are short verbs that can function as either helping verbs or main verbs depending on the context It's one of those things that adds up..
Where Do "Does" and "Get" Fit?
The word "does" is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "do." In a title, it can appear as a main verb ("How Does Climate Change Affect Agriculture?") or as an auxiliary verb ("What Does This Mean for Investors?Practically speaking, "). Similarly, "get" is a versatile verb meaning to receive, obtain, or become. Its capitalization hinges on its role and position within the title.
Most major style guides treat short verbs like "does" and "get" as minor words when they appear in the middle of a title, meaning they remain lowercase. To give you an idea, in Chicago style, "does" would be written as does unless it is the first or last word. In AP style, the rules are slightly more lenient: verbs with three or more letters are often capitalized, which would include both "does" and "
get." On the flip side, AP also specifies that the verb "to be" (is, are, was, etc.) and other short verbs like "do" and "go" are often lowercased in practice, creating a gray area for "does." MLA and APA generally align with Chicago by capitalizing all verbs regardless of length, treating "does" and "get" as major words whenever they function as the primary verb or a helping verb in the predicate.
People argue about this. Here's where I land on it.
A Style Guide Showdown
Because no single universal standard exists, the "correct" capitalization often depends entirely on which manual your publisher, professor, or client prefers. Here is how the major guides handle these specific words in the middle of a title:
| Style Guide | Rule for Verbs | "Does" | "Get" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (CMOS) | Capitalize all verbs, including be, do, have. | Does | Get |
| APA | Capitalize all verbs (major words). But | Does | Get |
| MLA | Capitalize all verbs (major words). | Does | Get |
| AP | Capitalize verbs of 4+ letters; lowercase is, are, was, be, do, go (and often does, get by convention). Even so, | does | get |
| New York Times | Capitalize all verbs except be forms; do/does usually capped. | Does | Get |
| Wikipedia (House Style) | Capitalize all verbs. |
Key Takeaway: If you are writing for academic contexts (APA, MLA, Chicago), always capitalize "Does" and "Get." If you are writing for journalism or web copy (AP), lowercase them unless they are the first or last word.
The "First and Last Word" Override
Regardless of the style guide, the "first and last word" rule acts as a hard override. Even under strict AP style, if "does" or "get" anchors the title, it takes a capital letter Nothing fancy..
- AP Style: Does the Market Recover Quickly? / How to Get What You Want
- Chicago/APA/MLA: Does the Market Recover Quickly? / How to Get What You Want
In both scenarios above, the words are capitalized because of their position, not their part of speech. This is the single most reliable rule to memorize: Position trumps function.
Common Pitfalls and Edge Cases
Phrasal Verbs and Idioms
"Get" frequently appears in phrasal verbs (get up, get over, get by, get away). In Chicago, MLA, and APA, the entire verbal phrase is treated as a unit, so both parts are capitalized: How to Get Over a Breakup. In AP style, the preposition/adverb particle (over, up, by) is typically lowercased if it is under four letters, but the verb get remains lowercase per the short-verb rule: How to get over a Breakup Still holds up..
"Does" in Questions vs. Statements
The grammatical mood does not change the capitalization rule.
- Question: Why Does This Happen? (Chicago/MLA/APA) vs. Why does This Happen? (AP)
- Statement: What Does the Data Show? (Chicago/MLA/APA) vs. What does the Data Show? (AP)
Infinitives
When "get" appears as part of an infinitive phrase (to get), "to" functions as an infinitive marker That's the whole idea..
- Chicago/MLA/APA: Capitalize Get; lowercase to (preposition/particle). → How to Get Results
- AP: Lowercase both (short verb + short preposition). → How to get Results
A Quick Decision Workflow
When you are staring at a title and unsure whether to hit Shift, run this mental checklist:
- Is it the first or last word? → Capitalize it. (Stop here.)
- Which style guide am I following?
- Chicago / APA / MLA / NYT / Wikipedia: Is it a verb? → Capitalize it.
- AP: Is it a verb and four letters or longer? → Capitalize it. (Since "does" and "get" are 3–4 letters, check specific AP rulings: does and get are traditionally lowercased in AP.)
- Still unsure? Default to capitalizing verbs. It is never technically "wrong" to capitalize a verb in title case (it is considered "maximal
capitalization" style, which is acceptable in many contexts).
Synthesizing the Rules for Confidence
Navigating the capitalization of short words like "does" and "get" can feel like walking a stylistic tightrope, but the framework is straightforward once the core principles are clear. The overarching rule, applicable across all major style guides, is the primacy of position. A word at the beginning or end of a title demands a capital letter, irrespective of its grammatical role. This is your unwavering anchor.
For the words in the middle of a title, the decision hinges on your chosen style manual. The divide is primarily between the verb-focused approach of Chicago, APA, and MLA, which capitalizes all verbs regardless of length, and the length-based approach of AP, which typically lowercases short verbs. Remember that "does" and "get," being brief, are the most frequent points of divergence.
The most practical advice for writers and editors is this: when in doubt, capitalize. In practice, opting for "maximal capitalization"—treating all significant words, including short verbs, as capitals—will rarely be considered incorrect and often aligns with the preferences of major publications like The New York Times or Wikipedia. This approach prioritizes visual prominence and consistency, ensuring your titles are both impactful and clear.
In the long run, mastery comes from understanding the why behind the rules. By recognizing that title case is designed to highlight the most important elements of a phrase, you can make informed decisions with confidence. Whether you are adhering to the precise specifications of AP for news copy or employing the more comprehensive rules of Chicago for long-form writing, the goal remains the same: to create titles that are grammatically sound, stylistically appropriate, and instantly engaging for your reader.
