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Understanding the difference between commonly confused words will help you avoid making errors in English usage. Let’s examine the difference between the following:
capitol
A capitol in American English is a building or complex of buildings where a legislative assembly meets. When capitalized, as in the Capitol, it refers specifically to the building in which the Congress of the United States meets in Washington, D.C. It also refers to a specific temple in ancient Rome.
The protesters gathered on the steps of the state capitol to wave signs and express their disapproval of the new law.
☛ To remember that the U.S. Capitol is spelled with an o, think of the round shape of both the building’s dome and letter O.
capital
A capital is a town or city that is the seat of government of a region, state or nation, or the center of a specific activity or industry. It also can mean accumulated wealth, an uppercase letter, or the broad section at the head of a column. As an adjective, capital refers to a crime that may result in the death penalty, or something first-rate or foremost.
Albany is the capital of the state of New York.
It’s easy to confuse these two government-related words, because there are capitols (buildings) in some American state capitals (towns or cities). In the vast majority of cases, however, you’re safe in using the spelling capital, since that is the most commonly used form when you’re not referring to a building.
Photo credits:
Photo 1: Image by Francine Sreca from Pixabay
Photo 2: Image by Adam Derewecki from Pixabay