When should you capitalize the first letter of a sentence?

The first letter of a sentence should always be capitalized. This is a fundamental rule of capitalization in the English language. Regardless of the type of sentence or its content, whether it is a statement, question, command, or exclamation, the first letter should be capitalized. Capitalizing the first letter helps to indicate the beginning of a new thought or idea and makes the sentence visually distinct from the preceding one.

For example, consider the following sentences:
- "I went to the park yesterday."
- "What time is the meeting?"
- "Please close the door."
- "Wow, what a beautiful sunset!"

In each of these sentences, the first letter is capitalized, emphasizing the start of the sentence and providing clarity to the reader. This rule applies to both written and spoken English, ensuring consistency and proper grammar usage.

It is important to note that capitalization is not limited to the first letter of a sentence alone. Proper nouns, such as names of people, places, organizations, and titles, also require capitalization. Additionally, the pronoun "I" is always capitalized, regardless of its position in a sentence.

In summary, capitalizing the first letter of a sentence is a basic rule of capitalization in English. It helps to distinguish the beginning of a new sentence and maintain proper grammar and clarity in written and spoken communication.