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Last Seven DaysI know that numbers are supposed to be numerals unless it's a casual usage. However, are there any exceptions when a number is part of hyphenation, such as: Police: One-armed, machete-wielding clown arrested? "Police: 1-armed, machete-wielding clown arrested" looks odd. ...
from Lakeland, Florida on Jul 26, 2017
Better spell out one-armed in that headline, using the one-armed bandit model in the dictionary.
In a story about the company Pizza Factory, when discussing multiple franchises what's the style for Pizza Factory in the plural? Pizza Factories? Pizza Factorys? Pizza factories?
from Frisco, CO on Jul 25, 2017
Try using Pizza Factory franchises or Pizza Factory outlets, retaining the trademark name with an added plural term.
Since "U.S." is such a well-known abbreviation, is it against AP style to use it in the first and all references? Or, go strictly with the rule and spell out "United States" first and then use the abbreviation in later references?
from on Jul 25, 2017
By the Stylebook's U.S. entry, the abbreviation is acceptable as a noun or adjective for United States. That holds for all uses, except when quoting a document that spells out United States.
I am putting the words "Take a leaf(s) to room 226." on a poster. Would it be leaf(s)?
from Ventura, CA on Jul 25, 2017
By the dictionary entry, leaves is the plural form of leaf. So your sentence wouldn't be correct with a leaf(s) ...
Hi AP. I'm working on a real estate article about an agent who represents buyers. Is the correct punctuation buyer's representative or buyers' representative? It look like the National Association of Realtors uses buyer's, although I could see the logic for using buyers' representative as well. Thanks!
from Madison, WI on Jul 25, 2017
I suppose either way. Buyers representative as a descriptive, rather than possessive, is another possibility.
Does AP prefer about or around regarding times? Examples: Police said the man was shot around 2 p.m. or Police said the man was shot about 2 p.m.
from Beijing, China on Jul 25, 2017
Both are used. AP likely would choose the term used by authorities in a specific case,
Your style guide for the Summer Olympics has "synchronized swimming" but the Tokyo Olympics website and also the FINA governing body for aquatic sports spells it the British way: synchronised swimming.
(On the other hand, the Rio Games site spells it the American way.)
Should we still stick to the American spelling with a "z"?
(On the other hand, the Rio Games site spells it the American way.)
Should we still stick to the American spelling with a "z"?
from Tokyo on Jul 25, 2017
If you want to be in tune with AP usage, it's synchronized with a z.
Hello AP. Do you have any guidelines about the specific type of phrase that should be inserted into a magazine article about a timely topic that will likely change by the time readers get the hard copy? I'm editing an article about potential candidates entering an election; one candidate filed paperwork but didn't announce his candidacy yet. Would "at the time of this writing" be the appropriate phrase to use to preface this potential candidate's current status? Thanks!
from Madison, WI on Jul 24, 2017
You might want to be more specific on the dates. The individual filed entry paperwork on xx date, but hadn't formally announced candidacy by xx date when this article went to press.
Does the word reengage have a hyphen? re-engage?
from Birmingham, AL on Jul 24, 2017
Hyphenate the double vowel in re-engage.
Should we write $31.0 million or simply $31 million. (The example given here refers to a company's quarterly earnings.)
from on Jul 24, 2017
$31 million is correct.
Is "pare down" redundant, or is the "down" necessary for clarity? "He pared [down] his collection to a few favorites."
from Holly Hill, FL on Jul 24, 2017
Possibly, but the dictionary definition of pare says it's often used with down.
Which is correct?
Protecting Your Greatest Assets: People
or
Protecting Your Greatest Asset: People
Protecting Your Greatest Assets: People
or
Protecting Your Greatest Asset: People
from Irving, TX on Jul 24, 2017
I'd go with the second formulation.
In your entry "anniversary" you use "time span" as two words: "time spans less than a year." Webster's New World has "timespan" as a single word, but under "span" they have it as two: "c) the full duration (often with of) [a time span, the short span of human existence]." Which is your preferred spelling?
from Washington, DC on Jul 24, 2017
A search of AP news archives shows that time span, two words, is strongly preferred.
Is it Sergei or Sergey Kislyak? AP stories spell it both ways.
from Las Vegas on Jul 24, 2017
He's Sergey I. Kislyak at the Russian Embassy website, so the Sergey spelling appears to be his preference.
Following a composition title, how should its date be noted? Such as: Groucho Marx starred in "Animal Crackers" (1930).
from Charleston, SC on Jul 22, 2017
AP look-back movie stories and filmographies may list a film's release year in parentheses after the title, as you have it.
Hello! Since there are many stories mentioning the Trump children, have you settled on a style for referring to Donald Trump Jr. on second reference? We've used "the younger Trump" (my quotes), which is tedious, and "Trump Jr." in stories that we've run. Thank you!
from Washington, DC, DC on Jul 22, 2017
The online Stylebook's junior, senior entry has been updated with this guidance: Be clear in distinguishing between father and son on second reference if both names appear in a story. The elder Smith and the younger Smith is one option; Smith Sr. and Smith Jr. is also acceptable. The possessive form: Smith Jr.'s career. (So Trump Jr. or the younger Trump would be preferred.)
Hi,
When you have a company name you want to both abbreviate and provide a stock ticket symbol for, how should it be written?
a) Long Company Name (LCN, NYSE:XXX), a top private equity firm, has just...
b) Long Company Name (NYSE:XXX, LCN), a top private equity firm, has just...
c) Long Company name (LCN)(NYSE:XXX), a top private equity firm, has just...
d) Long Company name (NYSE:XXX)(LCN), a top private equity firm, has just...
Also, what if there's an Inc. involved? My company says if there's comma before Inc., LLC, etc., you must also use a comma after it. So which of the below would be correct? I feel like it's option 1, but that's just SO many commas.
1) Long Company Name, Inc., (parenthetical info), a top private equity firm, has just...
2) Long Company Name, Inc. (parenthetical info), a top private equity firm, has just...
Thank you SO much!
When you have a company name you want to both abbreviate and provide a stock ticket symbol for, how should it be written?
a) Long Company Name (LCN, NYSE:XXX), a top private equity firm, has just...
b) Long Company Name (NYSE:XXX, LCN), a top private equity firm, has just...
c) Long Company name (LCN)(NYSE:XXX), a top private equity firm, has just...
d) Long Company name (NYSE:XXX)(LCN), a top private equity firm, has just...
Also, what if there's an Inc. involved? My company says if there's comma before Inc., LLC, etc., you must also use a comma after it. So which of the below would be correct? I feel like it's option 1, but that's just SO many commas.
1) Long Company Name, Inc., (parenthetical info), a top private equity firm, has just...
2) Long Company Name, Inc. (parenthetical info), a top private equity firm, has just...
Thank you SO much!
from Los Angeles, California on Jul 21, 2017
In the company names entry, see the list of 125 major U.S. companies, which includes full name and ticker symbols in parentheses. Use that format. AP doesn't use a comma before Inc. It would be Long Company Name Inc. (ticker symbol), a major retailer, has just ...
If a mile road ordinarily a numeral starts a sentence, would you spell it out? For example: I live on 9 Mile Road. Nine Mile is a delightful road.
from Mount Clemens, MI on Jul 21, 2017
The numeral would be spelled to start a sentence. However, it would be clearer to rephrase to place 9 Mile Road within the sentence.
Hi,
In this example, "...said Todd, a master of public health student."
Is it as written there? Or is it "...said Todd, a Master of Public Health student." (capitalizing the degree).
In this example, "...said Todd, a master of public health student."
Is it as written there? Or is it "...said Todd, a Master of Public Health student." (capitalizing the degree).
from on Jul 21, 2017
... said Todd, who is studying for a master's degree in public health.
Please help!
Should it be "Outlook Effected by Failed Venture" or "Outlooked Affected by Failed Venture"?
Should it be "Outlook Effected by Failed Venture" or "Outlooked Affected by Failed Venture"?
from Laguna Beach, CA on Jul 21, 2017
"Outlook Affected ..." looks like the right formulation.
Does AP recognize vocative commas? I'm working on a banner that says, "Welcome Back Bears." Would I need a comma before "Bears" or is it fine without the comma since it's acting more as a slogan rather than a complete sentence?
from Baton Rouge, LA on Jul 21, 2017
It should be OK without a comma in your slogan on a banner.
If the company was founded by several people, are each of them a founder or a co-founder?
from Gorham, ME on Jul 21, 2017
It could be written either way. Better check with the company to determine a preference, if any.
Presold or pre-sold? As in, "I pre-sold the shirts for the event."
from Bethesda, MD on Jul 20, 2017
Archived AP stories show a strong preference for the hyphenated pre-sold.
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From the Topical Guides
2017 G-20 Summit Topical Guide
The Associated Press has compiled a style guide of essential words, phrases and definitions related to the Group of 20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg, Germany, this week. A few terms are from...