Often I get confused when to capitalise the word state. In the following three different meanings of the word, when should the letter S be capitalized?
- Synonymous to the words country, nation or government. Even though there are subtle differences among them.
- 1st-tier administrative division of a country. Examples: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Baden-Württemberg.
- Status of something. Examples:
The state of education in this State is pathetic.
Best Answer
There are no special rules for capitalizing the word "state" in ordinary, non-technical English. It should be capitalized when at the start of a sentence, or when it is part of a proper noun.
The state (3) of affairs is that the State of Washington (proper noun) is a state (2) within the sovereign state (1) known as The United States of America (proper noun).