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“Capital” and “capitol” are often confused because they sound the same, but they have different meanings and uses. Here’s how to distinguish between them:
Capital vs. Capitol: What Is the Difference?
Key Distinctions:
- Capital:
- City: “Paris is the capital of France.”
- Wealth: “The company needs more capital to expand.”
- Importance: “That鈥檚 a capital idea!”
- Capitol:
- Building: Refers to the physical structure where lawmakers meet.
- Example: “Tourists often visit the Capitol in Washington, D.C.”
- Building: Refers to the physical structure where lawmakers meet.
Capital vs. Capitol: Definition and Usage
Definition and Usage of Capital
- Meaning: Refers to a city where the government of a country, state, or region is based, or to money and assets. It can also refer to something of significant importance.
- Use:
- City: The city that serves as the seat of government.
- Wealth: Financial assets or resources.
- Importance: Can also mean something important or excellent (e.g., “a capital idea”).
- Examples:
- “Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.”
- “She invested a large amount of capital into the business.”
- Explanation: “Capital” is used when referring to the primary city of a government, wealth or resources, or something important.
Definition and Usage of Capitol
- Meaning: Refers to a building where a legislative body, like Congress, meets.
- Use: Specifically used to describe the Capitol building in the U.S. or other similar legislative buildings.
- Examples:
- “The U.S. Capitol is located in Washington, D.C.”
- “The state capitol in Texas is in Austin.”
- Explanation: “Capitol” refers specifically to a government building where legislative work is done.
Capitol vs. Capital | Common Mistakes
Using “capitol” instead of “capital” for cities or wealth:
- Incorrect: “New York is the capitol of New York State.”
- Correct: “Albany is the capital of New York State.”
- Explanation: “Capital” is used for cities, not “capitol.”
Using “capital” instead of “capitol” for the legislative building:
- Incorrect: “The U.S. capital is a famous landmark.”
- Correct: “The U.S. Capitol is a famous landmark.”
- Explanation: “Capitol” refers to the building where legislative bodies meet.
Quick Tips:
- Use “capital” for cities, wealth, or importance.
- Use “capitol” for the building where a legislative body meets (think of the U.S. Capitol building).
Capital vs. Capitol: Examples
Examples of “Capital” in Sentences
- London is the capital of the United Kingdom.
- The start-up was seeking an initial capital of one million dollars.
- Understanding the difference between capital and revenue expenditure is crucial for accounting.
- They decided to move the company’s headquarters to the state capital.
- The venture capitalists offered to invest capital in the innovative project.
Examples of “Capitol” in Sentences
- The tour included a visit to the Capitol where Congress meets.
- The protesters gathered outside the Capitol to voice their concerns.
- The Capitol building in Washington, D.C., has a distinctive dome.
- During the guided tour, we learned about the history of the state capitol.
- The governor was scheduled to give a speech on the steps of the capitol next week.
Examples of Sentences that Use Both “Capital” and “Capitol”
- The capital required for the new public library was approved by the legislature at the state capitol.
- While in the capital, the tourists made sure to visit the historic capitol building.
- The capital city’s capitol building is an architectural masterpiece that attracts visitors from around the world.
- The debate on the allocation of capital for education took place in the capitol‘s main chamber.
- As a sign of respect, the flag at the capitol was lowered to half-mast, affecting the entire capital city’s community.
Capital vs. Capitol Quizzes and Exercises
Quiz 1: Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
1/ The __________ of California is Sacramento.
- a) capital
- b) capitol
2/ The __________ city of France is Paris.
- a) capital
- b) capitol
3/ The __________ letter of the alphabet is A.
- a) capital
- b) capitol
4/ The __________ building in Washington D.C. is where the United States Congress meets.
- a) capital
- b) capitol
5/ The company needs to raise more __________ to expand its business.
- a) capital
- b) capitol
Answers:
- a) capital
- a) capital
- a) capital
- b) capitol
- a) capital
Quiz 2: Decide whether each statement is true or false.
1/ Capital refers to a city or town that is the seat of government, while capitol refers to a building where the legislative body meets.
- a) True
- b) False
2/ Capitol and capital are spelled differently but have the same meaning.
- a) True
- b) False
3/ Capital can also refer to money or other assets used for investment or production, while capitol has only one meaning.
- a) True
- b) False
4/ The word capitol is always capitalized, regardless of where it appears in a sentence.
- a) True
- b) False
5/ The word capital can also be used as an adjective, as in “capital punishment” or “capital offense.”
- a) True
- b) False
Answers:
- a) True
- b) False
- a) True
- a) True
- a) True
Some exercises to help you differentiate between “capital” and “capitol”:
Fill in the blank:
1/ The _____ of the United States is located in Washington D.C.
Answer: Capitol
The Capitol is a specific building in Washington D.C. where the United States Congress meets.
2/ The _____ city of France is Paris.
Answer: Capital
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