Ask the Editor Style Guidance
Ask the Editor highlights
Ask the Editor is a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the AP Stylebook. AP Stylebook editor Paula Froke fields questions posed by subscribers to AP Stylebook Online. Below is a sampling of recent questions Paula has answered.
Click on a topic below to learn more about AP style:
Question from on May 16, 2022
Is it acceptable to use "FDNY" in a headline instead of using "Fire Department of New York"?
Answer
If you're writing for a specific audience whose readers would recognize it the abbreviation, that's fine. If it's a broader audience, try to avoid it.
Question from Waco, Texas, on May 09, 2022
Was surprised to find nothing in the Stylebook (not even an Ask the Editor) about this: Does the AP have any guidance about usage of Ob/Gyn? Spelled out on first reference, abbreviation thereafter? Am I overthinking this?
Answer
This is on AP Stylebook Online:
OB-GYN Acceptable in all references for obstetrics and gynecology, a medical specialty.
OB-GYN Acceptable in all references for obstetrics and gynecology, a medical specialty.
Question from Dover, Delaware, on May 06, 2022
Is usage of "+" allowable? For instance, $100+
Answer
We don't use it in that usage. Here's the guidance:
plus symbol (+)
The symbol is acceptable when it is pronounced as part of a company, brand or event name: Disney+, Apple TV+, ESPN+, CompTia Network+. Do not use in slugs of AP stories; use plus in slugs. Use the word plus in other uses: They expect 200-plus people. He is my plus-one. Flowers plus blue skies make for a nice day. She got a B-plus on the test
.
.
Question from Brookings, South Dakota, on May 06, 2022
Would you please clarify what RN should be? I ask because I've found the following results when searching. Thank you.
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 30, 2017
I understand AP prefers not to list multiple academic titles, but if this is necessary due to the nature of content, would the titles include periods or not?
John Smith, DNP, RN, MS or John Smith, D.N.P., R.N., M.S.
Answer
Under the guidance in this entry, it would be DNP, R.N., M.S. (Periods for two-letter abbreviations, no periods for the longer ones.)
Question from Kansas City, Missouri, on Feb. 21, 2019
Hi. I feel sure this is covered somewhere, but I can't find it. What is style for RN and LPN? Just like that, with no periods?
Answer
That's correct.
Question from Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 30, 2017
I understand AP prefers not to list multiple academic titles, but if this is necessary due to the nature of content, would the titles include periods or not?
John Smith, DNP, RN, MS or John Smith, D.N.P., R.N., M.S.
Answer
Under the guidance in this entry, it would be DNP, R.N., M.S. (Periods for two-letter abbreviations, no periods for the longer ones.)
Question from Kansas City, Missouri, on Feb. 21, 2019
Hi. I feel sure this is covered somewhere, but I can't find it. What is style for RN and LPN? Just like that, with no periods?
Answer
That's correct.
Answer
Either coul be considered correct; different editors seem to have used different guidance. Webster's New World College Dictionary lists it as RN. Our standard guidance is to use periods with two-letter abbreviations. I've deleted the RN answer. We'll go with our standard style: R.N.
Question from South Bend, Indiana, on April 27, 2022
The entry for Federal Reserve says it comprises the Federal Open Market Committee, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Federal Reserve System, which includes the Fed in Washington and 12 regional Fed banks. Use Federal Reserve on first reference, the Fed on second reference.
My question is this: Do we refer to any of the entities within the Federal Reserve as the Fed on second reference? For example, are all of these acceptable:
Federal Reserve (Fed)
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Fed)
Federal Open Market Committee (Fed)
Federal Reserve Board (Fed)
Federal Reserve System (Fed)
Thanks.
My question is this: Do we refer to any of the entities within the Federal Reserve as the Fed on second reference? For example, are all of these acceptable:
Federal Reserve (Fed)
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Fed)
Federal Open Market Committee (Fed)
Federal Reserve Board (Fed)
Federal Reserve System (Fed)
Thanks.
Answer
Federal Reserve: the Fed is acceptable on second reference.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve: On second reference, it should be the board or the Fed’s board.
Federal Open Market Committee: Yes, Fed is acceptable as a shorthand. (Or, alternatively, the FOMC.) This is the committee within the Fed that determines interest rate policy.
Federal Reserve Board: No, same as the second one above: On second reference, the board or the Fed’s board.
Federal Reserve System: Fed is "probably acceptable," according to our beat writer. He says: "Sorry to hedge – I don’t think the Econ team has ever had occasion to refer to the Federal Reserve System at all – on first or second reference! "
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve: On second reference, it should be the board or the Fed’s board.
Federal Open Market Committee: Yes, Fed is acceptable as a shorthand. (Or, alternatively, the FOMC.) This is the committee within the Fed that determines interest rate policy.
Federal Reserve Board: No, same as the second one above: On second reference, the board or the Fed’s board.
Federal Reserve System: Fed is "probably acceptable," according to our beat writer. He says: "Sorry to hedge – I don’t think the Econ team has ever had occasion to refer to the Federal Reserve System at all – on first or second reference! "
Question from South Carolina, on May 17, 2022
Hello! What is correct?
1. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from...
2. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from...
3. She holds of Bachelor of Science in Nursing from...
Previous entries used #1 but a recent AP News story has all lowercase. Article link: https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-f5238ff1041bd730c66b7c38d61aa420
Thanks for any help on this!
1. She holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from...
2. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from...
3. She holds of Bachelor of Science in Nursing from...
Previous entries used #1 but a recent AP News story has all lowercase. Article link: https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-f5238ff1041bd730c66b7c38d61aa420
Thanks for any help on this!
Answer
The first one is correct. AP staffers sometimes make mistakes or don't know every point of style.
Question from ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, on May 17, 2022
Second reference on Census Bureau -- is Census OK is should it still be Census Bureau?
Answer
On second reference, Census Bureau or the bureau. Not Census standing alone.
Question from Orange Beach, Alabama, on May 13, 2022
When it comes to a degree program name or its title, is it correct to say: Master of Science in accounting or Master of Science in Accounting? The school lists the official title of the degree program as a Master of Science in Accounting Thank you
Answer
We use the lowercase: Master of Science in accounting. You can do otherwise if you prefer, or if that's what your school wants.
Question from east lansing, Michigan, on May 13, 2022
Since you now capitalize Black, what about Brown? "This bar had a terrific mix of people - Black, Brown, white."
Answer
We don't use the term ourselves; see the entry below. If it's in a direct quotation, we don't capitalize it because it's a general and imprecise term.
brown (adj.) Avoid this broad and imprecise term in racial, ethnic or cultural references unless as part of a direct quotation. Interpretations of what the term includes vary widely. Be specific.
brown (adj.) Avoid this broad and imprecise term in racial, ethnic or cultural references unless as part of a direct quotation. Interpretations of what the term includes vary widely. Be specific.
Question from on May 09, 2022
When writing addresses, words such as alley, drive, road, terrace, etc. are always are spelled out. They are also capitalized when part of a formal name without a number; in lowercase when used alone or with two or more names. Does that mean 201 Blue Ridge road is correct?
Answer
It's 201 Blue Ridge Road, assuming that's one address. Two or more names means two or more places, not two or more words within one address: McAllister and Garner roads.
Question from Boulder, Colorado, on May 16, 2022
If an event starts on the hour but ends on the half hour (or any other time) do you use :00 and :30? Or just :30 for the "off hour" time? For example, which is correct: the event is from 6:00-7:30 or 6-7:30?
Answer
The latter is correct.
Question from Louisville, Kentucky, on April 19, 2022
How is the holiday, 4-20, written?
Answer
We use a slash: 4/20.
Question from Kalamazoo, Michigan, on April 14, 2022
Has AP determined a consistent way to reference the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Does it conform to rule for dates: Jan. 6? Or is there a special rule that makes it January 6th or January Sixth?
Answer
It follows our standard style for dates: Jan. 6.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on May 13, 2022
Hello! I had a question on numerals for test scores (academic or otherwise), and I want to make sure this is separate from treatment of sports statistics. Does #1 below sound right? Thanks.
1) She answered seven of the 12 questions correctly. The class average was 8.2 out of 12, and students who got at least nine answers right were allowed extra recess time.
2) She answered 7 of the 12 questions correctly. The class average was 8.2 out of 12, and students who got at least 9 answers right were allowed extra recess time.
1) She answered seven of the 12 questions correctly. The class average was 8.2 out of 12, and students who got at least nine answers right were allowed extra recess time.
2) She answered 7 of the 12 questions correctly. The class average was 8.2 out of 12, and students who got at least 9 answers right were allowed extra recess time.
Answer
Option 1 is correct.
Question from Waukesha, Wisconsin, on May 10, 2022
Would the format be: After ranking in the top 3 positions ... or After ranking in the top three positions ...? I have been spelling 3 out, but need to confirm that is correct. Thank you.
Answer
.... one of the top three positions. Here's the guidance:
Capitalize the word top if it’s part of the formal name of a list or a shortened version of a formal list: the AP Top 25, Spotify’s Global Top 50; the rapper has a number of Top 10 pop hits. Lowercase in informal uses: It’s regarded as one of the top five parks in the state.
Capitalize the word top if it’s part of the formal name of a list or a shortened version of a formal list: the AP Top 25, Spotify’s Global Top 50; the rapper has a number of Top 10 pop hits. Lowercase in informal uses: It’s regarded as one of the top five parks in the state.
Question from Texas, on April 29, 2022
Is it a 7-week outage or a seven-week outage?
Answer
A seven-week outage.
Question from Texas, on April 28, 2022
Is it a 20-day comment or a twenty-day comment?
...has opened a twenty-day comment
...has opened a twenty-day comment
Answer
It's a 20-day comment period.
Question from on April 18, 2022
In a formal awards/commencement program, should hyphens be used for "Two-Thousand Twenty-Two" and "Five-Thirty in the evening"? If it were "Seven in the evening," should it be "Seven o'clock"?
Answer
All of your proposals look fine. I don't understand why formal programs "need" to have the dates and times spelled out, however. Why make it harder to read and understand?
Question from Texas, on April 28, 2022
Does the sentence need "has" averaged as in the first sentence?
Generation has averaged 20% and 40% for LOS Units 1 and 2.
Generation averaged 20% and 40% for LOS Units 1 and 2.
Generation has averaged 20% and 40% for LOS Units 1 and 2.
Generation averaged 20% and 40% for LOS Units 1 and 2.
Answer
If it's a set period of time that has passed, no has: It averaged 20% in March.
If it's ongoing, use has: It has averaged 20% from March 1 to the present.
If it's ongoing, use has: It has averaged 20% from March 1 to the present.
Question from Leesburg, Virginia, on March 21, 2022
For our organization, "state championships" references a singular event made up of multiple competitions, so we treat it as a singular.
The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships is coming this spring.
Where this gets a little confusing is within subsequent references. Would we maintain that singularity throughout?
The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships is coming this spring. The state championships (is/are) attended by thousands each year.
Also, is lowercase appropriate there on the second reference? Thanks so much.
The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships is coming this spring.
Where this gets a little confusing is within subsequent references. Would we maintain that singularity throughout?
The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships is coming this spring. The state championships (is/are) attended by thousands each year.
Also, is lowercase appropriate there on the second reference? Thanks so much.
Answer
Really, I'd use the plural verb when using the full name of the event. I understand that it's a singular event (with multiple competitions). But using the singular creates the confusion and problem on later references that you're now trying to solve. I also would venture that the singular on first reference could leave a lot of readers thinking you're ... wrong.
Maybe rephrase by adding the word "event," if you don't want to use the plural: The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships event is coming this spring.
On later references, definitely the plural verb, and lowercase.
Maybe rephrase by adding the word "event," if you don't want to use the plural: The SkillsUSA Georgia State Championships event is coming this spring.
On later references, definitely the plural verb, and lowercase.
Question from on Feb. 23, 2022
Which is correct to write: "She also will join me in the office." or "She will also join me in the office." I thought the rule was to not split the main verb and its auxiliary.
Answer
Some people may adhere to that rule or belief, but we don't.
Here's our guidance:
Here's our guidance:
verbs
The abbreviation v. is used in this book to identify the spelling of the verb forms of words frequently misspelled.
SPLIT FORMS: In many cases, splitting the infinitive or compound forms of a verb is necessary to convey meaning and make a sentence easy to read. Such constructions are acceptable. For example: Those who lie are often found out. How has your health been? The budget was tentatively approved. Let readability and comprehension be your guide. If splitting a verb results in an awkward sentence, don’t do it. She wants to write clearly, not She wants to clearly write.
Question from Faribault, Minnesota, on Feb. 05, 2022
Hello!
Overthinking things here. Would you use "were" or "was" in this sentence?
There were $2.9 million in additional commitments to lend to borrowers.
Overthinking things here. Would you use "were" or "was" in this sentence?
There were $2.9 million in additional commitments to lend to borrowers.
Answer
Overthinking is us. (??)
Use were. It becomes a lot easier when you think of it this way: 2.9 million dollars in additional commitments ...
Use were. It becomes a lot easier when you think of it this way: 2.9 million dollars in additional commitments ...
Question from Alexandria, Virginia, on Jan. 27, 2022
Hi! Is is correct to use "me" or "my" in the following sentence? Or is it correct either way? Thank you!
Will you be able to concentrate with me hanging around?
Will you be able to concentrate with my hanging around?
Will you be able to concentrate with me hanging around?
Will you be able to concentrate with my hanging around?
Answer
Either is OK. The second is more formal. Or, rephrase: Will you be able to concentrate when I'm hanging around? (Note to my cats: No.)
Question from Omaha, Nebraska, on May 17, 2022
When ending a sentence with scare quotes, does the period go inside or outside the quotation marks? For example:
Help make our Bill & Ted themed party an "excellent adventure."
Is the period properly placed? What if it was an exclamation mark? Would that change things?
Help make our Bill & Ted themed party an "excellent adventure."
Is the period properly placed? What if it was an exclamation mark? Would that change things?
Answer
See this section of the quotation marks entry.
PLACEMENT WITH OTHER PUNCTUATION: Follow these long-established printers' rules:
PLACEMENT WITH OTHER PUNCTUATION: Follow these long-established printers' rules:
The period and the comma always go within the quotation marks.
The dash, the semicolon, the colon, the question mark and the exclamation point go within the quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. They go outside when they apply to the whole sentence.
Elaboration from the exclamation point entry:
PLACEMENT WITH QUOTES: Place the mark inside quotation marks when it is part of the quoted material: "How wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Never!" she shouted.
Elaboration from the exclamation point entry:
PLACEMENT WITH QUOTES: Place the mark inside quotation marks when it is part of the quoted material: "How wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Never!" she shouted.
Place the mark outside quotation marks when it is not part of the quoted material: I hated reading Spenser's "Faerie Queene"!
Question from Austin, on May 16, 2022
Good afternoon! Am I using hyphens correctly in this sentence? Thank you! "We’ve also automated Control Center-operated pipeline start-ups, shut-downs and steady-state operation."
Answer
Our style is startups and shutdowns. Otherwise it looks good.
Question from Austin, Texas, on May 12, 2022
It looks like AP no longer puts single quotes around megadrought. Is that the style now?
Answer
We use single quote marks only in headlines. AP stories routinely use the term megadrought, with no quote marks but with an explanation. For example:
Across the American West, a 22-year megadrought deepened so much last year that the region is now in the driest spell in at least 1,200 years — a worst-case climate change scenario playing out in real time, a study found last month.
Across the American West, a 22-year megadrought deepened so much last year that the region is now in the driest spell in at least 1,200 years — a worst-case climate change scenario playing out in real time, a study found last month.
Question from Lewiston, Idaho, on May 10, 2022
Would you use hyphens in "dam-versus-fish debate," or go without?
Riverborne transportation and hydropower production are both central to the dam-versus-fish debate.
Riverborne transportation and hydropower production are both central to the dam-versus-fish debate.
Answer
Definitely hyphenate as a modifier. You could also abbreviate as vs. in this use, but I think as a modifier it's easier to read with the full word rather than dam-vs.-fish debate. Here's the entry:
versus
Spell it out in ordinary speech and writing: The proposal to revamp Medicare versus proposals to reform Medicare and Medicaid at the same time ... In short expressions, however, the abbreviation vs. is permitted: The issue of guns vs. butter has long been with us.
For court cases, use v.: Marbury v. Madison.
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on May 09, 2022
Is a comma needed after the year in this sentence:
In its January 14, 2022, letter, the company acknowledged receipt of Mr. Doe's response.
In its January 14, 2022, letter, the company acknowledged receipt of Mr. Doe's response.
Answer
Yes.
Here's the guidance:
Here's the guidance:
years
When a phrase refers to a month and day within the current year, do not include the year: The hearing is scheduled for June 26. If the reference is to a past or future year, include the year and set it off with commas: Feb. 14, 2025, is the target date. Use an s without an apostrophe to indicate spans of decades or centuries: the 1890s, the 1800s.
Years are an exception to the general rule in numerals that a figure is not used to start a sentence: 2013 was a very good year.
Question from Longmont, Colorado, on April 08, 2022
How should I pluralize PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substance)?
Answer
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