Reference

When a reference is made to a previous mention of a capitalized proper name, the usual practice is to revert to lower case.

Exemple adequatThe Erasmus students were taken to Lake Sils. When they arrived, the lake was calm and serene.

Exemple adequatThe Spanish Civil War was fought between 17 July 1936 and 1 April 1939. The war began after a group of right-wing generals rose up against the Government of the Second Spanish Republic.


However, when the reference is simply a short form of the specific person, organization, institution or event previously mentioned, capitals are used.

Exemple adequatThe University of Girona is placing great emphasis on internationalization. The University is fully aware of the importance of this policy.

Exemple adequatThe Spanish Civil War was fought between 17 July 1936 and 1 April 1939. The Civil War became notable for the passion and political division it inspired.


Plural forms that apply one generic term to multiple names should be lowercased because the generic term is merely a descriptor and not part of the proper name.

Exemple adequatthe universities of Barcelona and Lleida


In order not to repeat the name of a place, writers sometimes use synonyms (or coreferents), which should always be capitalized.

Exemple adequatthe New World [America]
Exemple adequatthe Big Apple [New York]
Exemple adequatthe Pond [the Atlantic Ocean]

Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Darrera actualització: 7-9-2023
Recommended citation:
«Reference» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2342> [consulta: 21 novembre 2024].