mary said, "do whatever he tells you." I home school my 11 year-old, and my teacher book tells me to correct like this...Mary said, "Do whatever He tells you." Why would you capitalize He?

Question

mary said, "do whatever he tells you."  I home school my 11 year-old, and my teacher book tells me to correct like this...Mary said, "Do whatever He tells you."   Why would you capitalize He?

anonymous · Answer

Must be a religious book. He or Him are capitalized when referring to God.

jagatuba · Answer

Yeah, that's the only explanation I can think of. If it is not talking about God, he should NOT be capitalized.

anonymous · Answer

Good Morning, Yes, they are definitley referring to God, so that makes sense.  I have seen pronouns capitilazed and not capitalized when referring to God, so I wanted a concrete reason why.  Could not find one in any of my referenc books.  If anyone finds a reference to this that I can look up, I would truly appreciate you sharing it with me.  Thanks and God Bless.  Anna

jagatuba · Answer

Here is the official rule from the Gregg Reference manual, section 349, page 112.

Capitalize personal pronouns referring to a supreme being  when they stand alone, without an antecedent nearby.

Offer thanks unto Him.    BUT: Ask the Lord for his blessing.
Mr. Dooley (the pseudonym for Finley Peter Dunne) said, "A fanatic is a man that does what he thinks the Lord would do if he knew the facts of the case.