This rule holds true regardless of where the season appears in the sentence, unless it is the very first word. Correct: Spring is my favorite time to plant flowers. Correct: My favorite time to plant flowers is spring. Exception 1: Starting a Sentence

Note that some specific university internal style guides may vary, so it is always wise to check your institution’s handbook. Why Are Seasons Not Proper Nouns?

| Style Guide | Rule on seasons | |-------------|----------------| | AP Stylebook | Lowercase unless proper noun or part of formal name | | Chicago Manual of Style | Lowercase | | APA | Lowercase | | MLA | Lowercase |

Standard: I am taking three classes during the fall 2024 semester.

In poetry or creative prose, writers often treat seasons as though they are people (personification). In these instances, the word becomes a proper noun.

There is a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from correct grammar, but few things cause as much confusion as the four seasons. You see them capitalized on wedding invitations, lowercased in novels, and treated inconsistently on news websites. It’s enough to make a writer freeze up.

Many students and educators get confused when referring to school semesters. Most style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend keeping seasons lowercase even when referring to a semester, unless the season is part of a specific course title.

While months and days of the week are considered proper nouns, seasons—spring, summer, fall (autumn), and winter—are treated as common nouns. However, language is rarely without its exceptions. Understanding the nuances of when to hit the shift key can help you polish your prose and follow style guides like APA, MLA, and Chicago. The General Rule: Keep It Lowercase

In these cases, the word isn’t just describing the weather; it is part of the official name of something specific.

Ask yourself:

When in doubt, lowercase — it’s correct over 95% of the time.