Yup, this guy became Sir Paul McCartney.
When are sir and madam (and the contraction ma’am) capitalized? The answer depends on how you use them.
When to capitalize
Sir and madam are capitalized:
- when beginning a letter/email
- as an honorific coming before a name
Example: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to inform you that you are related to a Nigerian prince.
Example: My aunt was lucky enough to see Sir Paul McCartney play in the 1960s.
Note, however, that when referring to a man who has been given the honorific sir (or a woman who has become a dame) without using their full name (when sir or dame stands alone), it is not capitalized.
Example: My aunt was lucky enough to see Sir Paul McCartney play in the 1960s, before he became sir.
When to lowercase
Lowercase sir and madam in cases other than starting a correspondence and as an honorific before a name. This most concerns people who are writing dialogue in creative writing.
Example: “Please sir, may I have some more smores?” the boy asked hungrily.
Example: “It was a pleasure to meet you, madam,” the gentleman said.
To sum up
Capitalize sir and madam (and ma’am and dame) when starting a letter/email and when it comes before a name as an honorific. Lowercase sir and madam in other cases.
Quiz
Choose whether to capitalize or lowercase the words in italics.
1. “Fancy seeing you here, ma’am,” Roger said as he held out his hand.
2. Did you see the new movie starring dame Judi Dench?
3. Dear sir or madam, I am writing in regard to my January 27th letter.
4. “You are so kind, sir,” said the young man.
5. Shelley felt old when people started calling her ma’am.
Answers:
1. lowercase 2. capitalize 3. capitalize 4. lowercase 5. lowercase
Erin Servais is a freelance book editor with hundreds of titles under her proverbial belt. Learn why her clients keep coming back: dotanddashllc.com.
Grammar Party 
Hey, wanted to let you know that this helped me a lot with my school stuffs, sir! Thank you. Also, now that I think about it: No pun intended in my use of the word ‘sir’. Regardless, thank you!
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How about when replying to a boss.
Example: (Boss) I need those reports this afternoon!
(Employee) Yes Sir or Yes Ma’am.
Should the “Sir/Ma’am be capitalized?
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Example: My aunt was lucky enough to see Sir Paul McCartney play in the 1960s, before he became sir.
This sounds terrible! Much better to say “before he was knighted” or “before he became Sir Paul.” If talking about someone with this title, never use “sir” without either their first or their full name.
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@Rosie , this was just an example , which solves the purpose , and not grammatically incorrect.
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I agree, most British people would find the above usage somewhat strange and a mark of uneducated speech or just non-British speech (outsiders being forgiven for a lack of active vocabulary to talk about the British honours system). However, if we are quoting the direct speech of e.g. an American then we would need to know the rules for capitalisation, and this article gives us those rules. Also the female equivalent “I saw Dame Judi Dench perform in the theatre before she became a dame.” would be natural usage for most British people I think.
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You summarise thus: “Capitalize sir and madam (and ma’am and dame) when starting a letter/email and when it comes before a name as an honorific”. Do you mean “when starting a letter/email and when it comes before a name as an honorific” or “Capitalize sir and madam (and ma’am and dame) when starting a letter/email or when it comes before a name as an honorific.”? I think you mean the latter; that is, use the capital form when opening a letter or an email or when addressing a knighted person, and not necessarily when writing an email or letter to a knighted person. Isn’t that correct?
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Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for (writing sir in dialogue).
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Reuters5Toni Kroos is reportedly unsettled despite signing a new contractManchester United star Paul.
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Lukaku netted FOUR last weekend against Bournemouth in an incredible 6-3 win for the Toffees and has turned into a major success under Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park.
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I will complete that mission, sir.
Capitalize sir or not? Thanks!
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Thank you for this sharing this knowledge. This help me in my confusion about this topic. Now I’m able to know how to correctly use it.
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-Glaisa
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