Dear Ms. Froke:

Does AP have a preference for including or inclusive of in statements intended to give readers a sense of what is or will be taken into account as part of an action rather than unnecessarily spelling out every detail?

I always use including in such statements, but at one of the universities where I teach part-time I keep seeing inclusive of in learning-outcome documents. At first, it was one person doing it (a former department head); now, it seems as if everyone is following suit.

Here are two actual examples:

--Develop critical skills in ..., inclusive of editing the work of others, identifying external errors in news and information, and proper communication via text message and email. 

--Show proficiency in advanced ..., inclusive of, but not limited to, video scripting, website writing and digital optimization, cross-cultural communication, marketing communication, case studies, podcasts, and feature stories. 

I would use including because it's one word and more direct to my way of thinking. It's also less pretentious. Lastly, it seems old-fashioned, a tad obtuse, as well.

Ditto, I guess for excluding or exclusive of.

Don Bates

P.S. In the second example, I would also delete the legalism but not limited to because it's redundant. I also have a problem with the long list that follows inclusive of. Three items would seem appropriate, but not eight.

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