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Last Seven Days

Question from Holmes Beach, Florida, on Aug. 14, 2025

Is a 19-year-old male a teenage boy? If not, without giving age, how should the person be described if we can't use age or name?

Answer

We advise that it is always inaccurate to call people under 18 men or women, and people 18 and older boys or girls. That requires you give as much detail as possible: "a male in his late teens," perhaps. If you can use the age, do that. 

Question from Cranford, New Jersey, on Aug. 12, 2025

Hello, AP Style Mavens!

I keep seeing the word "aged" used for people. For example: "The percentage of people aged 12 years or older ..." Is that correct usage? Or should it be "age" or "ages"? (To me, "aged" sounds like we're talking about expensive cheese or fine wine.)  

Thanks!

Answer

I would go further and suggest you avoid using either. "The percentage of people 12 or older ..." is simple and, yes, sounds less like cheese. 

Question from Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Aug. 12, 2025

When referring to a timespan for a project or school year, should it be 2025-2026 or 2025-26?

Answer

For full calendar years, hyphenated 2025-26 is acceptable. 

Question from Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 12, 2025

Can I use Tampa without the state name?

Answer

No - Tampa isn't on our list of U.S. datelines that stand alone. The goal of the list is to limit standalone datelines to those most widely recognized. 

Question from Everett, Washington, on Aug. 10, 2025

Would it be Philippine fishermen (adjective form of Philippines) or Filipino fishermen (because it's referring to people)?

Answer

If all the fishermen are Filipino, then that's the right call. If some are of other ethnicities, stick with Philippine. (Our guidance on Hawaii, for example: Hawaiians refers only to Native Hawaiians. For all people who live in Hawaii, generally, we would say Hawaii residents). 

Question from Burbank, California, on Aug. 9, 2025

Is it No. 2 pencil, number 2 pencil, or something else?

Answer

No. 2 pencil. We don't have a specific entry, but reading through the numerals entry closely, this part of the entry seems most relevant:
Rank: He was my No. 1 choice. (Note abbreviation for “Number”). Kentucky was ranked No. 3. The band had five Top 40 hits.

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