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Last Seven Days

Question from LAKELAND, Florida, on Dec. 6, 2023

When referring to the game, is bingo capitalized? 

Answer

Lowercase.

Question from Davis, California, on Dec. 5, 2023

You say crowdfunding is the proper spelling as a noun. How about as an adjective in "a crowd-funding campaign"? Should it be hyphenated or not? Thanks.

Answer

One word, no hyphen, as a modifier as well.

Question from Overland Park, Kansas, on Dec. 5, 2023

Title case question: When writing about no-see-ums (the insects also known as biting midges), are all three words capitalized in title case? Is it No-See-Ums or No-see-ums?

Answer

Lowercase no-see-ums, according to both Webster's New World College Dictionary and Merriam-Webster.

Question from Des Moines, Iowa, on Dec. 5, 2023

Is there a rule or guidance for using "relationship" vs. "relation"? For example: "The company has cultivated a strong relation/relationship with local civic leaders." There's overlap in Webster's definitions for both. I usually go with "relation" because it's a shorter word, but that's probably not a foolproof reason. Sometimes "relationship" feels like the better choice, but I couldn't say why.

Answer

There's a rabbit hole you could dive into online and emerge with no clear result.

I'd use either relations (plural) or relationship: ... cultivated strong relations with local civic leaders or ... cultivated a strong relationship with local civic leaders.

In that case, I'd use the relations choice if you're talking about individual leaders. Relationship if you consider civil leaders one group.

Question from Detroit, on Dec. 5, 2023

Do you use scrap yard or scrapyard? 

Answer

One word, according to Merriam-Webster.

Question from Park Ridge, Illinois, on Dec. 5, 2023

My company of global CEOs often uses 'gemba,' which is listed in the Cambridge dictionary as: 'In Japanese business theory, the place where things happen in manufacturing ... '. I’m thinking I can disregard AP style to place this word in quote marks for our member-only communications and include them in public-facing stories. Webster. Wondering if you agree?

Answer

Yes, that makes sense.

Question from Tokyo, on Dec. 5, 2023

On second reference for the Gaza Strip, can we use "strip"? Or "Strip"?

Answer

We use Gaza on second reference.

Question from Covina, California, on Dec. 4, 2023

Is it "must-dos" or "must-do's"?

Answer

I'd make it must-do's, in keeping with our style on do's and don'ts.

Question from Feedback Forum, on Dec. 4, 2023

Is it a callout, a call-out, or something else?

Answer

Our friends at Merriam-Webster list callout as the noun and call out as the verb. We agree.

Question from Annapolis, Maryland, on Dec. 4, 2023

The following are cumulative adjectives and do not take a comma, correct?
1. regular one-on-one meetings
2. unique patient-centered approach

Answer

Correct.

Question from Decatur, Georgia, on Dec. 4, 2023

Do you have a preference regarding the phrasing "died/dying from" vs. "died/dying of" some cause? For one example, should it be "dying of cancer" or "dying from cancer"?

Answer

We don't have a preference. Dying of is probably more common.

Question from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, on Dec. 3, 2023

Hi! I notice people using amongst but AP Stylebook uses among (even when answering questions using amongst). When trying to determine if amongst is OK to use, I note that the dictionary reference (within AP Stylebook) says amongst is chiefly British usage. My inclination is that if I'm following AP Stylebook, that means "don't use amongst. Use among." Can you confirm my inclination is correct? Thank you so much. I am an AP Stylebook consistency hound, and I think we could be good friends, Paula! 

Answer

Yes, we agree that at least in the U.S., it's among. We are among good friends!

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