771. Proper Noun vs. Common Noun – Mother

The word mother – or mom – is a common noun. We use this word when talking about a woman who has a child or children.
That lady is my mother.
That lady is my mom.
Ask your mother to help you bake the cookies.
Ask your mom to help you bake cookies.
Janice is the mother of my friend John.
Janice is John’s mom.
Never capitalize a common noun. When the word mother or mom is used as a common noun, it is not capitalized.

However, we use the word mother or mom as a proper noun when we are addressing her by name. If we are writing directly to our mother and calling her by name, the word must be capitalized.
Mother, I’ll pick you up in an hour.
Mom, I’ll be there soon.
Merry Christmas, Mother.
Happy birthday, Mom.

When addressing your female parent by name, the word must be capitalized – Mom, Mother. When talking about your female parent, or anyone else’s female parent, the word mom or mother is a common noun and does not get capitalized.

▶It’s your turn. Decide if the word mom in this sentence needs to be capitalized: I’ll ask my mom to meet us at the mall. I hope you figured out that in this sentence, mom is a common noun.