1. Home
  2. Ask the Editor
  3. Last Seven Days

Ask the Editor

Last Seven Days

Question on April 29, 2026

Thank you for the new Middle East topical guide. We often produce maps where we delineate the area the Israeli army has told residents to leave. We've been labeling this area the "evacuation zone," but is there a better option for a short map label in light of the "evacuation orders" entry? Thanks again! 

Answer

I wouldn't quibble with using "evacuation zone" on a map. The guidance to avoid "evacuation orders" is meant primarly to avoid the word "order," since a nation can't order evacuations in another sovereign nation. A shorter option could be "threatened area."

Question from Northampton, Massachusetts, on April 29, 2026

Hi! Looking for guidance on the word "chain saw." Merriam-Webster clearly prefers one word, and AP Style indicates two words, BUT the entry was created in Jan. 2004. Does AP still disagree with Merriam-Webster on this, or should it be one word "chainsaw"?

Answer

We still advise two words, but it's been a while since we considered. I'll add it to our list. Thank you for pointing it out!

Question from Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 28, 2026

Should I use "basecamp" or "base camp" if using in the context "Your Basecamp/Base Camp for Adventure"?

Answer

Two words. 

Question on April 24, 2026

Hello. I hadn't heard back from you on this and am following up:
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or ERISA on first reference?
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 or COBRA on first reference?
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or WARN Act on first reference?
(I feel like in common parlance they're known as ERISA, COBRA and the WARN Act.) 

Answer

This would depend on your audience. At the AP, we wouldn't use the acronyms because we have an international audience who likely wouldn't be familiar. If you're writing for an audience who would know,  however, it might make sense. In our copy, I'd also recommend explaining what each act does, and not rely on the name or the acronym entirely. 

SUBSCRIBE TO AP STYLEBOOK ONLINE

Comprehensive AP style guidance on your computer, tablet and phone

This searchable, customizable, regularly updated version of AP Stylebook offers bonus features including Ask the Editor and Topical Guides. Add Merriam-Webster Dictionary for a more comprehensive resource.

Your subscription includes the popular Ask the Editor feature, where you can ask your own questions and search thousands of past answers, and Topical Guides, offering guidance to help you write about events in the news.


Sign Up for our Newsletter

Keep up to date on style news. Sign up for our stylish monthly e-newsletter by submitting your email address below.

Sign Up

Request your free 14-day trial

Try AP Stylebook Online for yourself

We offer free trials of individual subscriptions and 10-user site licenses for AP Stylebook Online.

We will include access to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the official dictionary of the AP Stylebook.

At the end of your free trial, we will ask you if you would like to continue your service so you can keep any of the custom entries you created on Stylebook Online.

I want AP Stylebook Online: