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Last Seven DaysQuestion on Dec. 1, 2023
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Question from Frederick, Maryland, on Dec. 1, 2023
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Question from Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 1, 2023
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There's more flexibility on proper names ending in s. Our style:
SINGULAR PROPER NAMES ENDING IN S: Use only an apostrophe: Achilles' heel, Agnes' book, Ceres' rites, Descartes' theories, Dickens' novels, Euripides' dramas, Hercules' labors, Jesus' life, Jules' seat, Kansas' schools, Moses' law, Socrates' life, Tennessee Williams' plays, Xerxes' armies.
But some others do use the possessive apostrophe: Williams's plays; Moss's goals. That one is your choice.
Question from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 1, 2023
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The non-custom version of the AP Stylebook doesn't have an entry that says anything like what you have in your question.
And, we don't use italics at all for publication. We do use them in highlighting examples in the Stylebook. But not for publication.
In your examples, we'd capitalize but not italicize.
Here's the entry we do have:
boats, ships
And:
spacecraft designations
Question from Half Moon Bay, California, on Nov. 30, 2023
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Question from Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 30, 2023
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If for some reason you need to use the awkward modifier, I guess I'd hyphenate it as you have it there. You could add more hyphens but I'm not sure that's either justified or helpful.
Question from KANSAS CITY, Missouri, on Nov. 30, 2023
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Question from Raleigh, North Carolina, on Nov. 30, 2023
What is your guidance on the use of the term"second-class citizens"?
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Question from Edwardsville, Illinois, on Nov. 30, 2023
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Question from San Jose, California, on Nov. 29, 2023
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Merriam-Webster notes that media is usually the plural form of that word when used in that sense. That leaves open the possibility of using mediums if that seems better in a given situation.
: a means of effecting or conveying something: such as
Question from Delray Beach, Florida, on Nov. 29, 2023
Since the AP Stylebook prefers memorandums as the plural of memorandum, and the article I am editing involves the term memorandum of understanding and uses MOU after the first reference, should the first reference be: "Goodwill and memorandums of understanding (MOU)..." or "Goodwill and memorandums of understanding (MOUs)..."? Thank you!
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Question from Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Nov. 29, 2023
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Question from Olmsted Falls, Ohio, on Nov. 28, 2023
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Question on Nov. 27, 2023
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Question on Nov. 27, 2023
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Question from Shaker Heights, Ohio, on Nov. 27, 2023
Does this mean that a unique title should always be offset by commas and the word the, or that a unique title -- when used in a construction that uses commas -- should be prefixed by the word the?
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CORRECT:
Adama Bimou, the deputy vice president, spoke.
Deputy Vice President Adama Bimou spoke.
INCORRECT:
Adama Bimou, deputy vice president, spoke.
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