🔑 Key Difference

• Capital has multiple meanings, but it’s generally related to wealth, importance, or the main city.
• Capitol refers specifically to a building where lawmakers meet.

1. Capital

The word capital can be used in several contexts:

• Main City: The city where a country’s or a state’s government is located.
  • Example: “Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.”
• Wealth: It refers to financial assets or money.
  • Example: “She invested her capital in a new business.”
• Uppercase Letter: It also means a capital letter in writing.
  • Example: “Always start a sentence with a capital letter.”
• Importance: It can describe something of great importance or seriousness.
  • Example: “Education is of capital importance to a nation’s future.”

1. Capitol

Capitol is much more specific. It refers to a building, typically where a legislative body meets:

• Government Building: In the U.S., the word is often used to describe the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., where Congress meets.
  • Example: “The U.S. Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.”

🎭 Analogy

Think of capital as the broader, more general term—it can be a city, money, or even a letter. Capitol, on the other hand, is like a special building where big decisions are made!

📝 Practice Time:

Now, let’s practice. Fill in the blanks with “capital” or “capitol”:

1. Paris is the __________ of France.
2. The senator spoke at the __________ building yesterday.
3. She saved enough __________ to start her own company.
4. Don’t forget to use a __________ letter at the beginning of a sentence.

✅ Answers:

1. Paris is the capital of France.
2. The senator spoke at the capitol building yesterday.
3. She saved enough capital to start her own company.
4. Don’t forget to use a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence.

🌟 Pro Tip:

To remember the difference, think of Capitol with an “o” as referring to a building—like the round dome on many capitol buildings!