When it comes to capitalizing the word “war” in the context of World War I (WWI), there are some rules and conventions to consider. In general, the word “war” is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper noun or a specific event or period. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and it can be a bit confusing.
In the case of WWI, it is common to see both “war” and “World War I” capitalized. The reason for capitalizing “war” in this context is because it is referring to a specific war, which is considered a proper noun. Similarly, “World War I” is also capitalized because it is the official name of a significant historical event.
However, when referring to wars in a general sense, such as “the war” or “wars in the 20th century,” the word “war” is not capitalized. This is because it is not referring to a specific event or period but rather to wars as a concept or a category.
It’s worth noting that different style guides may have slightly different rules regarding capitalization. For example, the Associated Press (AP) style generally does not capitalize “war” even when it is part of a specific war’s name. On the other hand, the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) does capitalize “war” when referring to specific wars like WWI.
In my personal experience as a writer, I have found that it is important to follow the guidelines of the style guide you are using or the preferences of the publication you are writing for. Consistency is crucial in maintaining a professional and polished writing style.
To summarize, while the general rule is to lowercase the word “war,” it is common to see it capitalized in the context of World War I (WWI) because it is a proper noun. However, it is always best to consult the specific style guide or publication’s guidelines to ensure accurate capitalization.