Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysQuestion from Tokyo, on May 6, 2024
What's the ruling on hyphenating "counterprotester"? AP stories have it with and without.
Answer
Either can be correct. Merriam-Webster prefers the no-hyphen version.
Question on May 3, 2024
I know May 2024 would not need a comma. But if I am writing "May Two Thousand Twenty-Four" on a line on a graduation certificate, do I place a comma after the word: May? It just looks wrong without the comma!
Answer
Yes, I'd use the comma there. Though of course, we wouldn't write out the number and honestly, style or not, I think the written-out version is hard to read.
Question from Toledo, Ohio, on May 3, 2024
In copy, I know website names should be in title case, but should they also be in quotes or italics? E.g., What to Expect, "What to Expect" or What to Expect
Answer
Quotation marks. We don't use italics.
Question from Kansas City, Missouri, on May 3, 2024
Would it be possible to get clarification on the use of the word "Cup/cup" in NASCAR stories. It appears most common to capitalize in all uses, for example: "He was a three-time Cup champion," or "It was his third Cup race of 2024" (after first reference). Would those instances be correct?
Answer
Yes, that's correct.
Question from Hillsborough, California, on May 3, 2024
Which apostrophe is recommended for use in abbreviating alumni class years (example John Smith '98)? I have seen it multiple ways. Thank you.
Answer
What you have is correct in our style. Here's the relevant section from the apostrophe entry:
OMITTED FIGURES: The class of '62. The Spirit of '76. The '20s.
OMITTED FIGURES: The class of '62. The Spirit of '76. The '20s.
Question from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on May 3, 2024
Is it: grab a hold or grab hold or grab ahold?
Answer
grab ahold
Question from Austin, Texas, on May 3, 2024
I just read the April 2024 news on ACES that AP will be changing dictionaries, from Webster's New World to Merriam-Webster. That's huge. Two questions: Will that dictionary replace the dictionary on the AP stylebook online version (if so, when?) and, more important, which one will AP use: Unabridged or Collegiate? Because they are not identical. Thank you!
Answer
We will formally transition to Merriam-Webster as our primary dictionary on May 29. When we do, Stylebook Online subscribers who add the dictionary component to their subscriptions will receive Merriam-Webster guidance.
The Stylebook's editors will rely on Merriam-Webster's digital content, which is more up to date than the print Merriam-Webster Collegiate. We will offer Merriam-Webster's digital content as the add-on to AP Stylebook Online.
Should you prefer a print dictionary, Merriam-Webster editor at large Peter Sokolowski suggests the Merriam-Webster Collegiate is your best bet. But he notes that online expansion has outpaced what is available in print for now.
Answer
We will put it on our list to consider. Thanks for raising it.
Question from Kansas City, Missouri, on May 1, 2024
Is it placemaking or place-making?
Answer
Use the hyphen, following this guidance in the suffixes entry:
-maker, -making No hyphen in commonly used words such as automaker, automaking; dealmaker, dealmaking; drugmaker (but drug-making); filmmaker, filmmaking; moneymaker, moneymaking; policymaker, policymaking; speechmaker, speechmaking. An exception: decision-maker, decision-making. Also: coffee maker. Avoid contrived combinations such as difference-maker and magic-maker. But if using less common terms such as those, include the hyphen. No hyphen with proper nouns, such as iPhone maker.
-maker, -making No hyphen in commonly used words such as automaker, automaking; dealmaker, dealmaking; drugmaker (but drug-making); filmmaker, filmmaking; moneymaker, moneymaking; policymaker, policymaking; speechmaker, speechmaking. An exception: decision-maker, decision-making. Also: coffee maker. Avoid contrived combinations such as difference-maker and magic-maker. But if using less common terms such as those, include the hyphen. No hyphen with proper nouns, such as iPhone maker.
Question from Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 1, 2024
When referencing environmental and social governance, are there any rules about capitalizing or lowercasing the words, and should ESG or esg be in parenthesis after the first mention? I did not see anything when I searched. Thanks!
Answer
We don't use abbreviations and acronyms in parentheses. Our guidance is that if the shorthand isn't easily recognizable without the parenthetical, then don't use it. But, you may wish to adapt that guidance for your own audience. We'd use lowercase for the full term, and explain it if at least some of your readers wouldn't be familiar with it. Then ESG in capital letters.
Question from Loma Linda, California, on May 1, 2024
If referencing a publication, should the word "Spring," "Summer," or "Fall" issue accompanying the publication name be capitalized.
Answer
We don't capitalize it. But you might choose to.
Question from Detroit, Michigan, on May 1, 2024
We've been having a debate in our newsroom for years and we're hoping to finally settle it. There are two similar questions here. We're wondering about capitalization when a county name is before a sheriff's office title, and police when not using the full department name. Our example: Oakland County sheriff's deputy forced out after buying drugs, then Holly police hired him.
Answer
We would style it as you have it: Oakland County sheriff's deputy forced out after buying drugs, then Holly police hired him.
Question from Atlanta, Georgia, on April 30, 2024
Hi there, are event titles punctuated with quotation marks?
Answer
Here's the entry (italics are just to show the examples; we don't use italics for publication):
events
Titles of special events, such as art exhibits and touring displays, are enclosed in quotes with primary words capitalized: “Mummies: New Secrets From the Tombs” at Chicago’s Field Museum. Names of annually recurring events are capitalized without quotes: North American International Auto Show in Detroit; Calgary Stampede. See designated days, weeks, months. For athletic events, refer to sports sponsorship in the Sports section.
Question from Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 30, 2024
What is the reasoning behind the number of exceptions to the updated guidance for the anti- prefix (e.g., anti-abortion, anti-aggression, anti-apartheid, anti-collision, anti-corruption, anti-cruelty, anti-labor, anti-racist, anti-racketeering, anti-secrecy, anti-terrorism, anti-war)? Is the issue one of legibility?
Answer
Partly legibility; partly to conform with Merriam-Webster, which will be our new primary dictionary.
Question from Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 30, 2024
In reference to the CEO of TikTok, should it be Shou Zi Chew or Shou Chew? I'm seeing both in AP articles.
Answer
Formally it's Shou Zi Chew, but he identifies himself as Shou Chew on his X account, and TikTok's PR releases list him as Shou Chew. We will go with Shou Chew, since that is what he uses. Thanks for asking.
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 Webster's New World College 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.
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 Webster's New World College 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.