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Last Seven DaysQuestion from Hackettstown, New Jersey, on May 25, 2022
Hi! Is this formatted correctly?
Interpreting micro- and macroeconomic dynamics.
Thanks!
Interpreting micro- and macroeconomic dynamics.
Thanks!
Answer
Yes, that's good.
Answer
We use Native Americans (or American Indians) in keeping with the style of the Native American Journalists Association. We don't use the term Indigenous peoples of America. But certainly if a person uses that that term for themself, you can also do the same in referring to them.
Question from SUN LAKES, Arizona, on May 25, 2022
How should "a la carte" be written when set in title case? A La Carte? a la Carte?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Answer
An a la Carte Menu
Question from Mooresville, North Carolina, on May 25, 2022
Should you capitalize numbers in legends/keys on a map? For example, we have "4 uninfected birds" written in a legend to describe what the blue lines in a map show. Should it be written like that or say "Four uninfected birds"?
Answer
We don't have a style for that. But I'd say numerals are fine in that use.
Question from on May 25, 2022
If service marks (R in a circle or TM mark) are required in an article, should they appear in headlines if that is where the first usage of a trademarked name appears?
Answer
We don't use the marks, so we don't have a style for that.
Question from Sacramento, Calif., on May 25, 2022
Ghost guns: Lots of publications have been all over the map on using quotes. Some say "ghost guns" on first reference and headlines — some use quotes throughout. Yet a few others have given up the punctuation, likely reasoning most folks know what they are. The AP in May 2022 had a story using "ghost" gun and another without quotes. What's your guidance?
Answer
Most AP stories use the style ghost guns, with no quote marks and a brief explanation: firearms without serial numbers.
Question from San Antonio, Texas, on May 24, 2022
Should aka be preceded by a comma or enclosed in parentheses -- any specific proper punctuation uses with this term?
Answer
Webster's New World College Dictionary uses no punctuation:
abbrev. also known as: used before an alias, as in police records [George Desmond aka George Destry]:
abbrev. also known as: used before an alias, as in police records [George Desmond aka George Destry]:
Question from Jackson, Mississippi, on May 24, 2022
Someone submitted the following information for publication in the newspaper as part of an announcement about an upcoming public Zoom meeting. (I have revised some of it for privacy's sake.) We normally would not print this. On our website, sure, we would create links in a story. Can you offer any guidance? Thank you.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/28389569201257?pwd=czRnWk5sbHROUE9KbmdEM312345kjklj
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/28389569201257?pwd=czRnWk5sbHROUE9KbmdEM312345kjklj
Zoom meeting ID:.xxx xxx xxx
Passcode:. Jxxxxxx
Phone 0ne tap mobile:
+13234568987,,2894190657#,,,,*0254321# US (Chicago)
+1958769078,,2894190657#,,,,*0254321# US
(New York)
+13462487799..2877590857#,,,,0254321# US
Answer
We don't have guidance. Obviously in print that's virtually impossible to follow. But I don't see a good alternative for those who want to join the meeting but don't have online access (or don't have a subscription to your online site). Maybe printing it in full is the best choice.
Question from Atlanta, on May 24, 2022
Question about describing a student in terms of the average grades they receive:
an A student
an A-student
an "A" student?
Thanks!
an A student
an A-student
an "A" student?
Thanks!
Answer
I'd use the third option.
Question from Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 24, 2022
If someone is named CIAA player of the year, is 'player of the year' capitalized too if it's not in front of the person's name.
Answer
We would use lowercase.
Question from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 2022
If I am writing, "Toni Morrison's books were no. 1 on the best novels list," how should I notate "no. 1"? Per AP guidelines, I've been usually writing it as "No. 1" but should I make it lowercase when it's within a sentence?
Answer
Our style is uppercase in all uses. Her books were No. 1 on the list at Lovett Memorial Library in the city's Mt. Airy neighborhood. (I couldn't resist.)
Question from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on May 24, 2022
I believe the correct way to go in a headline would be to state someone won "three 2nd place awards" though I am unsure about whether it should be "three second place awards" in the article text. Which is it? Thanks a million!
Answer
In headlines: 3 2nd-place awards. In text: three second-place awards.
Question from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 2022
If an entity's proper name includes a serial comma (e.g., National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) am I obligated to use it even if my style guide dictates no serial commas?
Answer
If the comma is part of the proper name, then use it.
Question from Bangalore, on May 24, 2022
Modern, artificial intelligence-/machine learning-based probabilistic forecasts are different...
Is the suspended hyphen usage correct here?
Is the suspended hyphen usage correct here?
Answer
Technically, perhaps. But it sure is hard to read and understand.
Of course, we wouldn't use probabilistic in writing for general audiences. But I understand it's likely OK for your specific audience.
I'd argue that you don't need the word modern. Artificial intelligence and machine learning pretty much imply modern.
How about: Probabilistic forecasts based on artificial intelligence and/or machine learning are different ...
Of course, we wouldn't use probabilistic in writing for general audiences. But I understand it's likely OK for your specific audience.
I'd argue that you don't need the word modern. Artificial intelligence and machine learning pretty much imply modern.
How about: Probabilistic forecasts based on artificial intelligence and/or machine learning are different ...
Question from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 2022
What is the acceptable courtesy style to use for individuals who prefer "they/them" pronouns? Is it "Mx."?
Answer
We don't use courtesy titles. I'd suggest asking the person what they prefer.
Answer
I'd definitely use the a before radio format. But I can't give a reason. I'm sure there is one. I just don't know it.
Question from San Francisco, California, on May 23, 2022
"Dig into the data" or "Dig in to the data"?
Answer
One could argue that one either way. I'd use the latter. But I think the former is fine, too.
Question from New York, New York, on May 23, 2022
Hi. NATO member states or member-states? Same with member nations, of course.
Thanks,
Richard
Thanks,
Richard
Answer
No hyphen. We call them simply NATO members.
Question from Tacoma, Washington, on May 23, 2022
I see that AP style calls for "microgrid" as one word. Can I assume the same for nanogrid?
Answer
Yes.
Question from DPO, Armed Forces, on May 23, 2022
What's the best/proper way to style this sentence:
It’s a classic question, and the answer is usually: both.
Should I use quotes around "both" instead?
Thank you!
It’s a classic question, and the answer is usually: both.
Should I use quotes around "both" instead?
Thank you!
Answer
No quote marks needed.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 23, 2022
Should on board or onboard be used in the following sentence?
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo on board the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo onboard the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo on board the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo onboard the ship
Answer
On board, and I'd rephrase: More than 500 pounds of cargo are on board the ship. Or simply ... are on the ship.
Question from Austin, on May 23, 2022
Good morning! Would committee be capitalized in this sentence? Thank you in advance. "She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing committee and serves as the committee’s vice- chair."
Answer
Yes as part of the committee's full name, but not on second reference. Also, we don't hyphenate vice chair.
She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing Committee and serves as the committee’s vice chair.
She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing Committee and serves as the committee’s vice chair.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 22, 2022
Which is the correct way to write grades seven through 12 or grades 7-12?
A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades 7-12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades 7-12 to propose experiments.
Answer
This follows our style exactly: A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
I would be OK with the other construction, using the numeral 7 for consistency in a construction with the hyphen.
I would be OK with the other construction, using the numeral 7 for consistency in a construction with the hyphen.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 22, 2022
Should Research and Development Team be capitalized in the following? Procter & Gamble and its Downy research and development team.
Answer
We use the lowercase.
Question from Fort Belvior, Va., on May 21, 2022
1st Lts Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis,
Is "Lts" correct when regarding to more than one person with the same rank?
Answer
Our style is 1st Lt. with the period. For two, 1st Lts. is technically correct but I would rephrase:
Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis, both first lieutenants, ...
Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis, both first lieutenants, ...
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