Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysQuestion on April 29, 2024
Must I say this is "from a press release" for this quote: “We are thrilled to open our first location with Brame Brands,” FAT Brands Fast Casual Division President and COO Jake Berchtold said in a press release.
Answer
We would. It's more precise and removes any possible interpretation that he said it in an interview.
Also, we wouldn't use the long title before the name. Instead:
“We are thrilled to open our first location with Brame Brands,” Jake Berchtold, president and COO of FAT Brands' Fast Casual Division, said in a press release.
For that matter, we would paraphrase rather than use the direct quote, which is not a compelling quote. But that's a different issue.
Also, we wouldn't use the long title before the name. Instead:
“We are thrilled to open our first location with Brame Brands,” Jake Berchtold, president and COO of FAT Brands' Fast Casual Division, said in a press release.
For that matter, we would paraphrase rather than use the direct quote, which is not a compelling quote. But that's a different issue.
Question from San Miguel, California, on April 29, 2024
Would you say "5-day series of events" or "five-day series of events"? (Are days considered a measurement?)
Answer
It's a five-day series of events. Days aren't considered a measurement unless you're talking about ages.
We make that clarification in the revised introduction to the numerals entry. The guidance itself hasn't changed, but we tried to explain it more clearly.
In general, spell out one through nine: He had nine months to go. She has eight bicycles. The Yankees finished second.
We make that clarification in the revised introduction to the numerals entry. The guidance itself hasn't changed, but we tried to explain it more clearly.
In general, spell out one through nine: He had nine months to go. She has eight bicycles. The Yankees finished second.
However, use figures for 1 through 9 (and above):
- For ages (of people, animals, events or things)
- When preceding a unit of measure (inches, pounds, miles, quarts, temperature degrees, etc.) — except for time measurements
- In other cases listed below
For time measurements (seconds, minutes, days, months, years, etc.), spell out one through nine unless it’s an age. A six-year plan, but a 6-year-old plan. A five-month checkup but a 5-day-old baby.
Use figures in almost all uses for 10 or above. Exceptions: At the start of a sentence; in casual uses such as one in a million; in literary or special uses such as four score and twenty years ago.
Generally spell out zero: The day’s low was 10 below zero; from zero to 60 as a figure of speech. Spell out zero percent: She said he has a zero percent chance of winning; they are offering zero percent financing. In technical contexts or ranges, the figure 0 may be appropriate: the car’s acceleration from 0 to 60 mph; financing from 0% to 3%.
Some specifics:
(And the entry continues from there.)
(And the entry continues from there.)
Question from Goshen, Indiana, on April 29, 2024
The "composition title" entry explains how to format the titles of books, movies, plays, poems, etc., but what about document/worksheet/form titles? Should those also be capitalized and quoted?
For example, which is correct? "Please fill out the 'Your Money, Your Way' worksheet." or "Please fill out the 'your money, your way' worksheet." or "Please fill out the your money, your way worksheet."
For example, which is correct? "Please fill out the 'Your Money, Your Way' worksheet." or "Please fill out the 'your money, your way' worksheet." or "Please fill out the your money, your way worksheet."
Answer
That's a little beyond our scope. But it's probably clearer to use the capital letters and quotation marks.
Question from Wilmington, Delaware, on April 29, 2024
This is one the silliest work arguments ever. For Star Wars Day (ugh), the correct style would be "May the Fourth be with you" because numbers less than 10 are spelled out, right?
Answer
I can see how this would turn into a work argument; I'm sure it would turn into a Stylebook team argument as well, if I were to raise it with the rest of the team. But I'm going to go it alone on this one.
Yes, we spell out numbers under 10 in general. But there are lots of exceptions.
We also generally spell out ordinals (such as fourth) but there are exceptions to that, as well. Dates aren't listed as an exception because we typically don't write May 4th (instead, just May 4.) See below for that section of the numerals entry.
I think I'd go with May the 4th be with you. That's in keeping with our general guidance on dates. It's also how the Star Wars folks style it themselves.
Ordinals
Yes, we spell out numbers under 10 in general. But there are lots of exceptions.
We also generally spell out ordinals (such as fourth) but there are exceptions to that, as well. Dates aren't listed as an exception because we typically don't write May 4th (instead, just May 4.) See below for that section of the numerals entry.
I think I'd go with May the 4th be with you. That's in keeping with our general guidance on dates. It's also how the Star Wars folks style it themselves.
Ordinals
Numbers used to indicate order (first, second, 10th, 25th, etc.) are called ordinal numbers. Generally spell out first through ninth: fourth grade, first base, the First Amendment, he was first in line. Use figures starting with 10th. Use figures for ages: 4th birthday. Also: 3rd Congressional District; 2nd Precinct.
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on April 29, 2024
AP updated their prefix guidance in 2024 so that "pre-" generally takes no hyphen. However, AP stories are still using pre-pandemic. Is that an exception to the new hyphen rules? If so, it isn't listed in the prefix entry.
Answer
It's not an exception. It takes awhile for AP staff to learn the updates.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on April 29, 2024
Which is correct: Length-of-Service Awards or Length of Service Awards?
Basically, hyphen or no hyphen?
Basically, hyphen or no hyphen?
Answer
It's fine without the hyphens in that use. Capitalize only if it's the formal name of the award(s).
Question from Everett, Washington, on April 27, 2024
Not for public posting, just an FYI. In the box that logs changes to entries, "pronunciation" should be "punctuation" for the lists, bulleted lists entry. :-)
Answer
Oh, I can post this publicly, with our thanks! We will get that fixed momentarily.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Question from Cassopolis, Michigan, on April 26, 2024
Should team-building be two words, hyphenated or one word?
Answer
It's a team-building effort. They hope to do better at team building.
Answer
I see no need for the commas. In fact, they're pretty distracting.
Question from San Francisco, California, on April 26, 2024
You have said there should be a hyphen in "customer-centric." Is there also a hyphen in "customer-centricity"? Or should it be "customer centricity"?
Answer
No hyphen in that use.
Question from Overland Park, Kansas, on April 25, 2024
Would we hyphenate "well-cared-for" : (original) "... express gratitude to a caregiver who has made you feel well cared for?"
Thank you!
Thank you!
Answer
No hyphens in that use.
Answer
No-party voters; voters without a party affiliation.
Answer
Thanks very much. I think I've now deleted the outdated responses.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on April 25, 2024
Seeking your opinion on "2.5-point increase" versus "2.5 point increase." Is the hyphen needed or not? Thanks.
Answer
Yes, use the hyphen.
Question from Fortville, Indiana, on April 25, 2024
Hi AP Stylebook editor(s)! I'm curious if you've considered changing the spelling of "e-commerce" to "ecommerce," following the pattern of "e-mail" to "email"? What factors influence the decision, and do you think a change to "ecommerce" is likely in the future?
Answer
We don't plan on changing at this time. Merriam-Webster also styles it as e-commerce. We use the hyphen with all e- terms except email and esports. Of course, you could choose not to use the hyphen.
Question from Anchorage, Alaska, on April 24, 2024
How do I correctly capitalize "western medicine?"
Answer
It's Western medicine.
Question from Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 24, 2024
Would you use a hyphen if starting a sentence with a number like 55 (fifty-five or fifty five?) or 62 (sixty-two or sixty two?)?
Answer
Yes, use the hyphen. Better yet, rephrase to avoid starting a sentence with a number.
Question from Tokyo, on April 24, 2024
Would you use uppercase for "Champagne-colored"? I notice that this AP story about the Olympic torch relay has it lowercase.
Greece’s torch and sandals ceremony for Paris Olympics
Greece’s torch and sandals ceremony for Paris Olympics
The flame is eventually used to light the first runner’s torch — champagne-colored this year for France — and a long relay through Greece leads to the April 26 hand-over at the Panathenaic stadium in Athens
Answer
Lowercase is correct.
Answer
Yes, you are correct. Airbnb is a specific company and brand. I imagine that Airbnb officials quite understandably would not want to see Airbnb used as shorthand for VRBO. And we would agree with them.
Question on April 23, 2024
Where is the list of AP cities in the AP Stylebook online?
Answer
I'm not sure what you mean by the list of AP cities. Maybe the list of cities that stand alone in datelines?
Question from West Newton, Massachusetts, on April 23, 2024
I'm finding contradictory info on whether to hyphenate a word using "driven" as part of an adjective that doesn't directly precede a noun.
This answer suggests hyphenating: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/33010
This answer suggests it's optional: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/46111
Does it just come down to making a style decision for my publication.
This answer suggests hyphenating: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/33010
This answer suggests it's optional: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/46111
Does it just come down to making a style decision for my publication.
Answer
Another editor apparently thought it was optional in that use. I'd use the hyphen. But clearly, as is often the case in matters of hyphenation, different editors may see it different ways.
Question from Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 23, 2024
In editing a report about a grant with six rounds, would we follow the guidance of sequential designations when referring to the rounds? So, Round 1, Round 2, etc. vs Round One and Round Two?
(If it helps, the client refers to them as Round 1, Round 2, and so on).
(If it helps, the client refers to them as Round 1, Round 2, and so on).
Answer
Yes, follow the guidance of sequential designations: Round 1, Round 2, etc.
From the numerals entry:
Sequential designations: Generally use figures, but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under. Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2. Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It’s Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.
From the numerals entry:
Sequential designations: Generally use figures, but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under. Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2. Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It’s Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.
Answer
The entry advises not to use that phrase "lightly or in unrelated situations," as described in full below. I think the guidance makes clear why it should be avoided in such situations and for people who haven't actually been diagnosed with autism.
We don't address the question of whether it's OK to use the phrase for someone who has been diagnosed with autism, but I would suggest avoiding it in those cases as well. The phrase can be perceived as euphemistic or derogatory. Why not simply say the person has been diagnosed with autism?
From the disabilities entry:
Avoid using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations, and avoid direct quotations using such wording unless essential to the story. Some examples: calling a person or an idea demented, psychotic, lame, blind, catatonic, moronic, retarded, on the spectrum, etc.; saying the warning falls on deaf ears or he turned a blind eye or the awards show is schizophrenic. As in all writing, consider word choice carefully. Words that seem innocuous to some people can have specific and deeply personal or offensive meanings to others. Alternative phrasing is almost always possible.
We don't address the question of whether it's OK to use the phrase for someone who has been diagnosed with autism, but I would suggest avoiding it in those cases as well. The phrase can be perceived as euphemistic or derogatory. Why not simply say the person has been diagnosed with autism?
From the disabilities entry:
Avoid using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations, and avoid direct quotations using such wording unless essential to the story. Some examples: calling a person or an idea demented, psychotic, lame, blind, catatonic, moronic, retarded, on the spectrum, etc.; saying the warning falls on deaf ears or he turned a blind eye or the awards show is schizophrenic. As in all writing, consider word choice carefully. Words that seem innocuous to some people can have specific and deeply personal or offensive meanings to others. Alternative phrasing is almost always possible.
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