AP Stylebook's most popular style tips

We share AP style guidance regularly on social media. Below are some of our tweets that generated the most conversation.

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April

More from our disabilities guidance: Don’t limit coverage of disabled people to coverage of disabilities. People with disabilities are experts in as many fields as nondisabled people are. Include their voices and their images in your regular coverage of any topic.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) April 7, 2022

We have added an entry on AP Stylebook Online defining the terms neurodiversity, neurodivergent, neurodiverse and neurotypical.
While use of these terms has become more common, to many they remain unfamiliar; they should be used only in direct quotes. pic.twitter.com/dvtViYHYcs

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) April 27, 2022

AP lowercases spring break and winter break, following our rule to lowercase the seasons.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) April 21, 2022

Growing numbers of people, including some transgender, nonbinary, agender or gender-fluid people, use "they" as a singular pronoun.
As much as possible, AP also uses "they" as a way of accurately describing and representing a person who uses those pronouns for themself.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) April 8, 2022

March

New on AP Stylebook Online today: Many deaf people who use sign language have a deeply ingrained sense of culture and community built around the experience of deafness and sign language, and use the uppercase form Deaf to signify that culture. (1/4)

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) March 21, 2022

We have added an entry on Web3 as a catchall term for the prospect of a new stage of the internet, driven by the cryptocurrency-related technology blockchain.
Do not use the term Web3 without explanation.
AP Stylebook Online has much more detailed guidance. pic.twitter.com/9lvISCiCPh

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) March 23, 2022

AP style: Don't follow the full name of an organization or company with an abbreviation or acronym in parentheses or set off by dashes. If an abbreviation or acronym would not be clear on second reference without this arrangement, don't use it.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) March 15, 2022

Use spongy moth for the invasive pest formerly known as gypsy moth, a change approved by the Entomological Society of America. Gypsy moth is acceptable in a first reference explaining the new name until it becomes better known: spongy moths, formerly known as gypsy moths.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) March 9, 2022

February

A gourmand is a person who likes good food and tends to eat to excess; a glutton. A gourmet is a person who likes fine food and is an excellent judge of food and drink.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) February 11, 2022

People use wheelchairs for independent mobility. Do not use terms such as confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound. If a wheelchair is needed and that fact is relevant to the story, make clear why.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) February 17, 2022

AP uses Zelenskyy for the Ukrainian president's name, the transliteration that he uses. In general, AP uses the name by which a person wishes to be known. This also is the spelling used by most governments and government organizations, including the U.S., EU and NATO.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) February 28, 2022

We use Roman numerals for wars and personal sequence for people and animals: World War I, Native Dancer II, King George V. Also for certain legislative acts (Title IX).
Super Bowls should be identified by the year, rather than Roman numerals: 1969 Super Bowl, not Super Bowl III. pic.twitter.com/vHaJ31tRMo

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) February 2, 2022

January

When possible, avoid the terms special needs and special education. While they remain in wide use in education and law, many view them as euphemistic and offensive. Instead, aim to be specific about the needs or services in question.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 18, 2022

To start off the year with excitement: Yes! Several years ago we changed our guidance to say "over" can be used as a synonym for "more than." This is in keeping with major dictionaries. We probably got over a million notes of appreciation ... and more than a few complaints.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 3, 2022

"Good style favors short words, short sentences, short paragraphs, short stories." That's what the Instructions for Correspondents of The Associated Press said in 1911. We agree.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 10, 2022

"Good style favors short words, short sentences, short paragraphs, short stories." That's what the Instructions for Correspondents of The Associated Press said in 1911. We agree.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 10, 2022

December

Don’t write this: Happy Holiday’s from the Whitman’s. The holidays and the Whitmans are plural. They are not possessive. If you feel an urge for possession, try this: Happy Holidays from the Whitmans’ hearts. Now go preheat your oven.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) December 23, 2021

In writing about addiction, avoid describing sobriety as "clean" unless in direct quotations, since it implies a previous state of dirtiness instead of disease.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) December 13, 2021

This stumps us: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as the character's full name, or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (comma with a descriptive phrase that's capitalized as part of a title)? Research yields more uncertainty. And: Frosty the Snowman or Frosty, the Snowman? Snow Person?

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) December 24, 2021

If you're popping bubbly to celebrate the new year, it's Champagne if it's a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France.
If it's made elsewhere, call it sparkling wine.
And if you do that too many times, hangover is one word, no hyphen. pic.twitter.com/1tWJn1Zmbk

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) December 22, 2021

November

We know everyone calls it daylight savings time. You know better, though, don't you?
It's daylight saving, no S.
Delight your friends with your knowledge as we fall back this weekend. pic.twitter.com/VyclRzlXtB

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) November 3, 2021

Headlines must stand on their own in conveying the story fairly, and they must include key context. They should tempt readers to want to read more, without misleading or overpromising.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) November 15, 2021

The Knights of the Round Table will hold a roundtable discussion after seating themselves at a round table. They likely will refer to their meeting as a roundtable.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) November 19, 2021

We recommend not using quotation marks to report a few ordinary words that a speaker or writer has used:
Not: The senator said he would "go home to Michigan" if he lost the election.
Instead: The senator said he would go home to Michigan if he lost the election.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) November 8, 2021

October

We recommend not using mental health terms to describe unrelated issues. Don't say that an awards show, for example, was schizophrenic.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) October 11, 2021

"Who's" is a contraction for who is, not a possessive: Who's there? "Whose" is the possessive: I do not know whose coat it is.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) October 25, 2021

We use a slash, rather than a hyphen, for constructions such as and/or, either/or, over/under, red state/blue state, etc. No space on either side of the slash. To break up lines of a verse, use a slash with a space on each side: Row, row, row your boat / Gently down the stream

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) October 22, 2021

VIP is OK in all references for "very important person." The plural: VIPs. While we're at it: RSVP is OK in all uses as the abbreviation for the French "repondez s'il vous plait," meaning "please reply." We hope VIPs RSVP, but that combination hurts the eyes.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) October 7, 2021

September

Two people look at each other.
More than two look at one another.
Either phrase may be used when the number is indefinite: We help each other. We help one another.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) September 27, 2021

We prefer the terms older adult(s) and older person/people over the terms senior citizens, seniors or elderly as a general term when appropriate and relevant. Aim for specificity when possible: new housing for people 65 and over; an exercise program for women over 70.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) September 2, 2021

As of 2019, we don't hyphenate double-e combinations with the prefixes pre- and re-. Examples: preeclampsia, preelection, preeminent, preempt, reemerge, reemphasize, reenact. This is in keeping with dictionariy preferences and common usage.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) September 13, 2021

THC is OK in all references to tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound that gives marijuana its high. CBD is OK for cannabidiol, a compound in cannabis that does not cause a high and is often sold as a dietary supplement or included in creams and other personal care products.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) September 23, 2021

August

PB&J is OK in AP style in all references for peanut butter and jelly. H&C is not OK in any reference for ham and cheese.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) August 12, 2021

We do not use the wording confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound. People use wheelchairs for independent mobility. If a wheelchair is needed, and the description is relevant, say why. The term wheelchair user when relevant is OK.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) August 23, 2021

When possible, avoid the terms special needs and special education. While they remain in wide use in education and law, many view them as euphemistic and offensive. Instead, aim to be specific about the needs or services in question.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) August 3, 2021

Our style for the plural of syllabus is syllabuses. We use curricula as the plural of curriculum. Both are the style listed first in our preferred dictionary, Webster's New World College Dictionary. #APStyleChat (1/3)

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) August 24, 2021

July

AP style for possessives. SINGULAR COMMON NOUNS ENDING IN S: Add 's: the virus's reach, the virus's spread.
SINGULAR PROPER NAMES ENDING IN S: Use only an apostrophe: Dickens' novels,Hercules' labors, Kansas' schools.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) July 19, 2021

Avoid the vague jargon "officer-involved" or "police-involved." Be specific about what happened. If police use the term, ask for detail. How was the officer or officers involved? Who did what? If that information is not available or not provided, say so.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) July 8, 2021

Use plural verbs and pronouns for the word scissors: The scissors are on the table. Leave them there.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) July 27, 2021

Don't use a comma or a period after an exclamation mark:
Wrong: "Halt!", the officer yelled.
Right: "Halt!" the officer yelled.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) July 13, 2021

June

No apostrophe in Achilles tendon, which connects the back of the heel to the calf muscles. But it's Achilles' heel, with an apostrophe, for a vulnerable spot.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) June 7, 2021

Remember it's one L in cancel, canceled and canceling, and two Ls in cancellation.
Also one L in travel, traveled, traveling and traveler. #APStyleChat

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) June 22, 2021

Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. He promised this: The company will make good all the losses. There were three considerations: expense, time and feasibility.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) June 21, 2021

Use bus, buses, bused, busing in reference to the vehicles.
Not buss, bussed or bussing. The two S spelling means kissing. #APStyleChat

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) June 22, 2021

May

Avoid using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations: Calling a person or idea demented, psychotic, blind, catatonic, moronic, retarded, on the spectrum, etc.; saying a plan falls on deaf ears or the awards show is schizophrenic. #APStyleChat

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) May 25, 2021

In response to overwhelming public sentiment, we changed our style last year to allow the term "preheat" to refer to heating an oven to a specific temperature before cooking. Common usage prevailed over the fact that the "pre" part of the term might be redundant.

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) May 4, 2021

Avoid words that suggest pity, such as afflicted with, battling or suffers from any disability or illness, or that a person overcame her disability. Instead: living with dementia, has cancer, being treated for ADHD, etc. #APStyleChat

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) May 25, 2021