“Capital” and “capitol” are two words that are often confused. Learn the difference between capital vs. capitol with example sentences and ESL infographic.
Capital vs. Capitol: the Difference
“Capital” and “Capitol” are homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings.
“Capital” has several meanings, it is commonly used to refer to a city or town that serves as the seat of government. Capital is also used to refer to money or resources in business or investment.
On the other hand, “Capitol” refers specifically to a building or group of buildings in which a legislature meets. i.e. the United States Capitol.
Capital vs. Capitol: the Definition and Usage
The word “capital” can have many meanings. It can refer to money or resources in terms of business. It can also be used when discussing writing like “capital letters”. Lastly, it also can be the “capital” of a state, prefecture, or country.
Here are some uses:
- My bank really wanted to invest in your business, but we just don’t have the capital right now.
- Remember that when you write the names of countries or cities that they start with a capital letter.
- Many people think that the capital of states in America is the biggest city but it’s not always true.
Now, let’s take a look at “capitol”. This word refers to a specific place where lawmakers meet. It has a “capital” letter when it refers specifically to the building that the US Congress meets. When it’s not capitalized, it refers to a place where other lawmakers meet (like at the state level).
Some uses include:
- When I visited Washington, D.C., I got a tour of the Capitol Building. (This one starts with a big C.)
- Summer recess is over so all of the senators are back at the Capitol. (This one starts with a big C.)
- California is going to make a new tax so some people are protesting at the capitol. (This one starts with a small c since it is not the Capitol in Washington, D.C.)
Capitol vs. Capital | Helpful Tips
After examining the difference between the two, we can see that while “capital” has many uses in many situations “Capitol” is specifically used to describe a place where laws are made.
Capitol or Capital: the Synonyms
Synonyms of Capital
Money or resources in terms of business:
- Assets
- Funds
- Investment
- Finance
- Wealth
- Resources
- Cash
- Treasury
- Principal
- Reserves
- Holdings
- Backing
- Equity
- Stake
A city or town that serves as the seat of government:
- Administrative center
- Metropolis
- Megalopolis
- City of power
- Federal district
- Executive center
- Government hub
- Political center
Synonyms of Capitol
There are no direct synonyms for “capitol” because “capitol” refers to a specific building where lawmakers meet.
Capital vs. Capitol Examples
Examples of “Capital” in Sentences
- We need to raise capital to start our new business.
- The city has allocated a large amount of capital for infrastructure projects.
- She invested all her capital in the stock market, hoping to make a profit.
- The company’s capital has decreased due to poor financial performance.
- The entrepreneur used her personal capital to launch her startup.
- The bank offered a loan to small businesses to help them increase their capital.
- The venture capitalist provided capital to the startup in exchange for equity.
- The wealthy investor has a vast amount of capital that he uses to fund various projects.
- The university received a grant of capital to build a new research facility.
- The government imposed a tax on capital gains.
Examples of “Capitol” in Sentences
- The rioters stormed the Capitol building and caused widespread damage.
- The senator gave a passionate speech on the floor of the Capitol.
- The inauguration of the new president will take place on the steps of the Capitol.
- Tourists often visit the Capitol to learn about the history of our government.
- The Capitol building is an iconic symbol of democracy in the United States.
Examples of Sentences that Use Both “Capital” and “Capitol”
- The state’s capital is located just a few miles from the capitol building.
- The protesters gathered outside the capital to demand changes to the laws, while lawmakers inside the capitol debated the issue.
- The city’s capital investments in infrastructure led to the renovation of the historic capitol building.
- The governor announced plans to allocate more capital to the capitol restoration project.
- The capitol dome, a symbol of the nation’s capital, can be seen from miles away.
When to Use Capitol vs. Capital | Image
Capital or Capitol – Difference between Capitol vs. Capital
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
Related Homophones
Last Updated on April 14, 2023