Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysQuestion from New York, New York, on Sept. 21, 2023
Hi Paula. Another question from Quinnipiac journalism students, who are just terrific this year. When someone is being quoted and they say "in the US," meaning the United States, do you write US or U.S.? Class has decided that you definitely can't write out United States since that would be changing a quote. Many thanks, Sara
Answer
In the U.S., since our standard style for U.S. is to use periods (except in headlines, where it's US). And agreed, definitely don't write out United States, for the reason you note.
Question on Sept. 21, 2023
should multi-market have a hyphen
Answer
Question from Virginia, on Sept. 21, 2023
When I list committee members with their titles, should I capitalize -elect? Here is an example:
- Alexander Vargas, Chair-Elect
- Robert Durham, Acting Chair
- Charlotte Robertson, Vice Chair
Answer
We don't capitalize titles after names, so none of these would be capitalized in the construction you're asking about. If in your house style you capitalize titles after names, then you'd need to decide whether that applies to -elect as well. For reference, below is our -elect entry. And here is the titles entry.
-elect
Always hyphenate and lowercase: President-elect Joe Biden. For a newly elected candidate, the term can be used as soon as the race is called. After a name or standing alone: the president-elect or Biden, the president-elect. Also: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Gov.-elect Sue Ahmad, Sen.-elect D’Shawn Washington, Attorney General-elect Melissa Rubin, etc.
Question on Sept. 20, 2023
Do we still capitalize Day 1/Day 2 mid-sentence when using to signal multiday events?
Example: Should it be:
1. Join us on Day 2 of the summit...
2. Join us on day 2 of the summit
3. Join us on day two of the summit
Example: Should it be:
1. Join us on Day 2 of the summit...
2. Join us on day 2 of the summit
3. Join us on day two of the summit
Answer
Yes. Option 1 is correct. Here's the guidance 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.
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.
Question on Sept. 20, 2023
The online AP stylebook cites Webster's New World College Dictionary as "coldblooded" without hyphen, but Merriam-Webster hyphenates "cold-blooded." Which is preferred?
Answer
As you note, Webster's New World College Dictionary prefers coldblooded; Merriam-Webster prefers cold-blooded. Since WNWCD is the Stylebook's primary dictionary, we go with coldblooded (much as I dislike it). If you prefer to use the hyphen, know that you are in good company with the other dictionary.
Answer
Yes, that comma is necessary.
Question on Sept. 20, 2023
Hello! Is it "above ground" if not preceding a noun and "above-ground" hyphenated before a noun? I didn't see an entry for it in the Stylebook but I saw the dictionary entry. Thank you!
Answer
Yes, that's correct.
Question from Annapolis, Maryland, on Sept. 20, 2023
Greetings. Regarding bulleted lists: what is AP style for sub-bullets? Thanks so much.
Answer
Sorry, but we don't cover that point.
Question from Johannesburg, on Sept. 20, 2023
I have a few questions about how to refer to people who have been awarded a Nobel prize:
1. Are "Nobel winner" and "Nobel laureate" interchangeable?
2. Would "Nobelist" ever be acceptable?
3. Are organisations treated the same as individuals?
1. Are "Nobel winner" and "Nobel laureate" interchangeable?
2. Would "Nobelist" ever be acceptable?
3. Are organisations treated the same as individuals?
Answer
1. Yes.
2. Webster's New World College Dictionary and Merriam-Webster both list Nobelist as a term for a Nobel winner. We wouldn't recommend it, though.
3. Yes.
2. Webster's New World College Dictionary and Merriam-Webster both list Nobelist as a term for a Nobel winner. We wouldn't recommend it, though.
3. Yes.
Question on Sept. 19, 2023
The "well'" guidance is confusing when it comes to "well equipped" or "well-equipped." For example: "We make sure our students are well equipped for college." Should "well-equipped" be hyphenated? Thanks!
Answer
No hyphen in that use, since it's after the noun:
Hyphenate well- combinations before a noun, but not after: a well-known judge, but the judge is well known.
Hyphenate well- combinations before a noun, but not after: a well-known judge, but the judge is well known.
Question from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 19, 2023
Trunk or treat OR trunk-or-treat ?
Answer
With the hyphens.
Question from Los Gatos, California, on Sept. 19, 2023
I know to spell out numbers that begin a sentence. How about numbers that follow a colon or semicolon? (These are client-provided files; I do not have the option of rewording/restructuring.) For example:
Your help is needed: 50% of veterans will experience ....
or
Your help is needed; 50% of veterans will experience
Your help is needed: 50% of veterans will experience ....
or
Your help is needed; 50% of veterans will experience
Answer
Technically those are the start of a sentence – but not the start of this entire sentence. I'd use the figures after a colon or semicolon rather than spelling them out. We don't have a rule that addresses this specific question. But that's what I'd do.
Question from Florence, Kentucky, on Sept. 19, 2023
If you were quoting someone who used the phrase "potato/potato" as in something with a negligible difference, would you adjust to a phonetic spelling or keep it as is? Does that change if you were using the phrase in a non-quoted written piece?
Answer
Do you have to use the direct quotation? If the direct quotation is really necessary, I'd use the phonetic spellings. We don't have specific guidance on this, but it seems the only logical way to handle it other than not quoting directly (which is the best solution). Bear in mind that some, possibly even many, readers won't understand what it means no matter how you present it. Much better to paraphrase if possible.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on Sept. 19, 2023
How would I handle the name of an official government order (this one from the FAA)? Would I capitalized the title and put in italics? Or just capitalize the name of the order without italics? I can't find this example in your guidance on titles or capitalization. Thank you!
Order FAA 8020.16D, ATO Aircraft Accident and Aircraft Incident Notification, Investigation, and Reporting, has been updated.
Order FAA 8020.16D, ATO Aircraft Accident and Aircraft Incident Notification, Investigation, and Reporting, has been updated.
Answer
We don't use italics in any titles. Just capitalization is fine.
Question from Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 19, 2023
Could you offer clarity on predeployment/pre-deployment? In an older entry Ask the Editor entry, predeployment is preferred.
Recent stories, though, primarily use pre-deployment, which falls in line with the practice of hyphenating pre- words if not found in Webster's.
Thank you!
Recent stories, though, primarily use pre-deployment, which falls in line with the practice of hyphenating pre- words if not found in Webster's.
Thank you!
Answer
I've deleted the older Ask the Editor response. Pre-deployment is preferred.
Question on Sept. 19, 2023
Do commas need to be added to the following?:
Do you or does someone you love need help?
Do you or does someone you love need help?
Answer
Do you, or does someone you love, need help?
(But this implies you can seek help only for people you love. Presumably you can also seek help for people you hate, like, feel indifferent about or perhaps don't even know.)
Do you need help, or do you know of someone who does?
Question on Sept. 18, 2023
Is "trainings" now acceptable? I saw it in the Washington Post today, something along the lines of "The expert praised the ALA's trainings." I usually change "trainings" to "training" or "training sessions," as appropriate.
Answer
I vote with you.
Answer
We are using the term Detroit Three. I've deleted the outdated answer in Ask the Editor. Thanks for noting it.
Question from San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023
How would you write "20 and a half million dollars" in a news story? Would it be $20.5 million?
Answer
Yes, that's right.
Question from Gainesville, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2023
If there is a "fourth annual" event, should it be written out or digits (4 annual, 4th annual)? Does this change over the number 10? Is it the same for headlines and articles?
Answer
The fourth annual, but the 10th annual, 11th, etc. For headlines, if you have space, write out fourth. If not, 4th is fine.
Question from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 15, 2023
adult-child caregiver or adult child caregiver?
Answer
I'm not sure what it means ...
Question on Sept. 15, 2023
Hello, is PB&J acceptable for the sandwich? How about on first reference?
Answer
Yes, in our style it's acceptable on all references.
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 15, 2023
Why is AP style an 'e' instead of an 'o' in 'adviser'/'advisor' when we also have the spelling with an 'o' in 'advisory' ? We often have both words in a story: "The advisers on the advisory panel..."
Answer
That has been our style for years. I don't know why the previous editors decided on it. You certainly can use advisor if you prefer.
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