Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysQuestion from Washington, District of Columbia, on April 25, 2024
Seeking your opinion on "2.5-point increase" versus "2.5 point increase." Is the hyphen needed or not? Thanks.
Answer
Yes, use the hyphen.
Question from Fortville, Indiana, on April 25, 2024
Hi AP Stylebook editor(s)! I'm curious if you've considered changing the spelling of "e-commerce" to "ecommerce," following the pattern of "e-mail" to "email"? What factors influence the decision, and do you think a change to "ecommerce" is likely in the future?
Answer
We don't plan on changing at this time. Merriam-Webster also styles it as e-commerce. We use the hyphen with all e- terms except email and esports. Of course, you could choose not to use the hyphen.
Question from Anchorage, Alaska, on April 24, 2024
How do I correctly capitalize "western medicine?"
Answer
It's Western medicine.
Question from Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 24, 2024
Would you use a hyphen if starting a sentence with a number like 55 (fifty-five or fifty five?) or 62 (sixty-two or sixty two?)?
Answer
Yes, use the hyphen. Better yet, rephrase to avoid starting a sentence with a number.
Question from Tokyo, on April 24, 2024
Would you use uppercase for "Champagne-colored"? I notice that this AP story about the Olympic torch relay has it lowercase.
Greece’s torch and sandals ceremony for Paris Olympics
Greece’s torch and sandals ceremony for Paris Olympics
The flame is eventually used to light the first runner’s torch — champagne-colored this year for France — and a long relay through Greece leads to the April 26 hand-over at the Panathenaic stadium in Athens
Answer
Lowercase is correct.
Answer
Yes, you are correct. Airbnb is a specific company and brand. I imagine that Airbnb officials quite understandably would not want to see Airbnb used as shorthand for VRBO. And we would agree with them.
Question on April 23, 2024
Where is the list of AP cities in the AP Stylebook online?
Answer
I'm not sure what you mean by the list of AP cities. Maybe the list of cities that stand alone in datelines?
Question from West Newton, Massachusetts, on April 23, 2024
I'm finding contradictory info on whether to hyphenate a word using "driven" as part of an adjective that doesn't directly precede a noun.
This answer suggests hyphenating: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/33010
This answer suggests it's optional: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/46111
Does it just come down to making a style decision for my publication.
This answer suggests hyphenating: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/33010
This answer suggests it's optional: https://www.apstylebook.com/ask_the_editors/46111
Does it just come down to making a style decision for my publication.
Answer
Another editor apparently thought it was optional in that use. I'd use the hyphen. But clearly, as is often the case in matters of hyphenation, different editors may see it different ways.
Question from Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 23, 2024
In editing a report about a grant with six rounds, would we follow the guidance of sequential designations when referring to the rounds? So, Round 1, Round 2, etc. vs Round One and Round Two?
(If it helps, the client refers to them as Round 1, Round 2, and so on).
(If it helps, the client refers to them as Round 1, Round 2, and so on).
Answer
Yes, follow the guidance of sequential designations: Round 1, Round 2, etc.
From the numerals entry:
Sequential designations: Generally use figures, but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under. Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2. Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It’s Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.
From the numerals entry:
Sequential designations: Generally use figures, but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under. Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2. Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It’s Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.
Answer
The entry advises not to use that phrase "lightly or in unrelated situations," as described in full below. I think the guidance makes clear why it should be avoided in such situations and for people who haven't actually been diagnosed with autism.
We don't address the question of whether it's OK to use the phrase for someone who has been diagnosed with autism, but I would suggest avoiding it in those cases as well. The phrase can be perceived as euphemistic or derogatory. Why not simply say the person has been diagnosed with autism?
From the disabilities entry:
Avoid using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations, and avoid direct quotations using such wording unless essential to the story. Some examples: calling a person or an idea demented, psychotic, lame, blind, catatonic, moronic, retarded, on the spectrum, etc.; saying the warning falls on deaf ears or he turned a blind eye or the awards show is schizophrenic. As in all writing, consider word choice carefully. Words that seem innocuous to some people can have specific and deeply personal or offensive meanings to others. Alternative phrasing is almost always possible.
We don't address the question of whether it's OK to use the phrase for someone who has been diagnosed with autism, but I would suggest avoiding it in those cases as well. The phrase can be perceived as euphemistic or derogatory. Why not simply say the person has been diagnosed with autism?
From the disabilities entry:
Avoid using disability-related words lightly or in unrelated situations, and avoid direct quotations using such wording unless essential to the story. Some examples: calling a person or an idea demented, psychotic, lame, blind, catatonic, moronic, retarded, on the spectrum, etc.; saying the warning falls on deaf ears or he turned a blind eye or the awards show is schizophrenic. As in all writing, consider word choice carefully. Words that seem innocuous to some people can have specific and deeply personal or offensive meanings to others. Alternative phrasing is almost always possible.
Answer
Thanks for the good suggestion. I'll put it on our (long) list of ideas to consider or address.
Question from Pflugerville, Texas, on April 20, 2024
Is it third-culture kid or third culture kid? Is it abbreviated to TCK in subsequent entries?
Answer
third-culture kid(s) and no abbreviation on later references. Instead, on later references use phrasing such as such children, these children, etc. Also, define the term when used; many readers aren't familiar with it.
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