Ask the Editor: Highlights
Ask the Editor is a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the AP Stylebook. AP Stylebook editor Paula Froke fields questions posed by subscribers to AP Stylebook Online. Below is a sampling of recent questions Paula has answered.
Click on a topic below to learn more about AP style:
Question from London, on Feb. 02, 2023
Can we get an official ruling from the GOAT of style guides? ;-) Thanks!
Answer
Already considered the GOAT — greatest of all time — Brady finally walked away from the NFL on Wednesday following the most difficult, emotionally draining season in his life.
In a story about Messi: Competition is fierce when it comes to determining the greatest of all time, or the GOAT, as it has come to be known. It can come down to the smallest of margins that separate players of such brilliance.
The term GOAT has been known to show up in AP sports headlines, without an explanation immediately attached. Usually it's in the story but sometimes not.
We do love being the GOAT of style guides!
Question from Carmichael, California, on Jan. 30, 2023
Answer
Of course, if your audience is very familiar with ASD as shorthand, you certainly can use it.
Here's the abbreviations and acronyms entry.
Question from on Jan. 04, 2023
"The chief audit executive's (CAE's) meeting needs to be rescheduled."
or
"The chief audit executive's (CAE) meeting needs to be rescheduled."
(Our organization has a need to rely on initialisms frequently, and to clearly introduce them.)
Answer
Perhaps CAE is as well known in your organization as CEO is generally, and thus maybe you wouldn't have to do the parenthetical? Does CAE appear elsewhere in the piece? If not, maybe you don't need it here.
If you have no other options, go with your first example above.
Question from Irving, Texas, on Dec. 14, 2022
- The AHA believes we should eat healthier.
- AHA believes we should eat healthier.
- I am grateful to join the AHA.
- I am grateful to join AHA.
- In the next five years, the AHA aims to decrease strokes by XX%.
- In the next five years, AHA aims to decrease strokes by XX%.
Answer
In daily conversations, how do people refer to AHA/the AHA? Try to get a handle on that. And use that as your guide.
Question from on Nov. 17, 2022
Answer
We always abbreviate months (except March, April, May, June, July) when used with a date: Jan. 6, Sept. 11.
Question from Groveland, Florida, on Jan. 25, 2023
Answer
The city of Groveland is deeply committed to protecting the health and welfare of our residents. The mayor and members of the Groveland City Council have received several emails identical in nature urging the city to take action.
Again, you could choose otherwise.
Here's the capitalization entry.
Question from Granite Falls, Minnesota, on Jan. 23, 2023
Answer
river
Question from Rochester, New York, on Jan. 12, 2023
Answer
We are (painfully) aware that many in the corporate and legal worlds do love their capital letters. Many tend to Capitalize some Terms for Special Emphasis, or often, for No reason at All. We view this as a distraction for readers, making it hard to comprehend the actual substance. Presumably anyone who is exploring what a particular law firm has to offer doesn't need or want to be distracted from their main mission.
Question from Appleton, Wisconsin, on Jan. 03, 2023
For example: The U.S. Tax Court ruled... XYZ. The tax court's ruling XXXX.
Answer
Question from College Station, Texas, on Dec. 01, 2022
Should I leave 'elementary schools' lowercase since they are all collectively elementary schools?
Answer
Question from Austin, Texas, on Nov. 15, 2022
I typically like to use "from" and "to" when I use one or another. But I also like sticking to your style and using a hyphen. The "from" in the first example seems to make the sentence flow better.
Answer
Use figures except for noon and midnight. Use a colon to separate hours from minutes: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 9-11 a.m., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Question from on Oct. 19, 2022
Example: You are invited to attend the Christmas Pageant on Friday, December 16. or You are invited to attend the Christmas Pageant on Friday, December 16, 2022.
Answer
years
Question from Rochester, Michigan, on Sept. 15, 2022
Answer
Avoid such redundancies as last Tuesday or next Tuesday. The past, present or future tense used for the verb usually provides adequate indication of which Tuesday is meant: He said he finished the job Tuesday. She will return Tuesday.
So typically, if the time period is within a year, we would say simply He sold his goods at the show in January or She will sell her goods at the show in January.
If it's beyond a year in either direction, add the year. Or if there is any chance for confusion in the context, include last or next.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on July 22, 2022
She got sick with COVID-19 in March OF 2020? Or
She got sick with COVID-19 in March 2020?
Thanks!
Answer
months
Question from on June 10, 2022
Answer
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 20, 2023
Thank you.
Answer
When quoting spoken words, present them in the format that reflects AP style: No. 1, St., Gov., $3. But quotes should not be changed otherwise for reasons of style. If the speaker says towards, do not change it to toward.
I don't know why you'd use mundane phrasing such as that as a direct quotation, though.
Question from Washington, DC, District of Columbia, on Jan. 15, 2023
Example: six inches or 6 inches
"At 10, I attempted suicide in my bathtub in six inches of water,” he said.
Answer
When quoting spoken words, present them in the format that reflects AP style: No. 1, St., Gov., $3. But quotes should not be changed otherwise for reasons of style. If the speaker says towards, do not change it to toward.
Question from Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 02, 2022
Answer
Question from Dover, Delaware, on Nov. 08, 2022
Example: Car A had a zero-to-60 time of 7.6 seconds, but Car B came in at 8.0 seconds.
Or: Car A had a zero-to-60 time of 7.6 seconds, but Car B came in at eight seconds.
Answer
Since we're open to the breaking of rules when that makes most sense, you're certainly welcome to break two rules in this case ...
Question from on Nov. 02, 2022
Answer
Question from Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 14, 2022
Answer
Question from GRAPEVINE, Texas, on Dec. 01, 2022
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I am going to the store. Doris and I are going to the store.
The presents are for me. The presents are for Doris and me.
Question from Columbus ,Ohio, on Nov. 18, 2022
Answer
On another point: If there is only one owner, you need a comma after the word owner. If there is more than one owner and you are talking specifically about the one who pays the salaries (not the one who speaks at public events), then no comma. See the essential clauses, nonessential clauses entry.
Question from Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 14, 2022
Answer
They asked if the child and/or parents are enjoying the show.
They asked if the parents and/or child are enjoying the show.
They asked if the parents and/or child is enjoying the show.
Question from Topsfield, Massachusetts, on Sept. 13, 2022
"What makes Molly and I a great team is..." OR
What makes Molly and me a great team is..."
THANK YOU!
Answer
Think about it this way: Take Molly out. Would you then say: What makes I a great team (member) or What makes me a great team (member) ...
Question from on Jan. 26, 2023
Answer
grade, grader
Question from Columbia City, Indiana, on Jan. 23, 2023
But what if "ham and eggs" was at the beginning of the series? Would you still add a comma before the final "and"? I had ham and eggs, orange juice, and toast for breakfast.
Answer
Question from Lenexa, Kansas, on Jan. 23, 2023
Answer
MULTIPLE COMPOUND MODIFIERS: If the phrase is easily recognized without hyphens, use a hyphen only to link last element: They hope to spark consumer interest in department store-based shopping. She said assistant vice president-managed courses should include real estate licensing-related materials. (Again, rephrasing may be a better option.)
Question from on Jan. 20, 2023
Should there be serial comma in the following:
diversity, equity and inclusion?
Answer
Question from Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 19, 2023
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Question from Corvallis, Oregon, on July 19, 2022
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Question from Longmont, Colorado, on April 08, 2022
Answer
Question from Chula Vista, California, on Jan. 19, 2023
Thank you!
Answer
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 15, 2023
Answer
Question from Bethesda, Maryland, on Jan. 10, 2023
Answer
Question from Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 06, 2023
Answer
For those that involve separate words or words linked by a hyphen, make the most significant word plural:
Question from Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 21, 2022
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