do you capitalize the first word in a quote

Whether or not to capitalize the first word in a quote depends on the type of quote and where it appears in the sentence.

If the quote is a complete sentence and is introduced by a reporting verb or phrase (such as "John said" or "According to the study"), the first word of the quote should be capitalized, just like the first word of any sentence. For example:

• John said, "I'll be there at 3 o'clock."

If the quote is not a complete sentence and is integrated into the sentence (such as in the middle of a sentence or at the end), the first word of the quote is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun or the first word of a sentence within the quote. For example:

• She asked, "What time is it?"

• The article stated that "the study found no significant difference."

• He said, "My favorite book is 'To Kill a Mockingbird'."

It's worth noting that different style guides may have slightly different rules for capitalizing quotes, so it's always a good idea to check the specific style guide you are following.