Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysQuestion from Washington, District of Columbia, on Dec. 20, 2024
The "foreign service" entry says that term should be lowercase. However, just below it, entries for FSO and FS spell out those abbreviations as "Foreign Service Officer" and "Foreign Service. Should these terms be capitalized or not? Thank you.
Answer
You're looking at Merriam-Webster entries, not AP Stylebook entries. We don't have a specific style, but we wouldn't use the FSO abbreviation. Of course, you're free to follow Merriam-Webster's approach.
Question from New York, New York, on Dec. 20, 2024
Hi there. Happy holidays! Should the “to” in “to go,” as in food to go, be capitalized when in a title?
Answer
Yes, that should be capitalized. Happy holidays to you!
Question from Southern California, on Dec. 19, 2024
Now that your dictionary of choice is Merriam-Webster, are you going with light bulb as two words? Or staying with lightbulb?
Answer
Since we just changed our style three years ago, I'm not inclined to switch back at this point. But of course, you can use whichever style you prefer.
We never have and never will agree 100% with our primary dictionary.
We never have and never will agree 100% with our primary dictionary.
Question from Lee's Summit, Missouri, on Dec. 19, 2024
Hi AP. I'm editing an economist's article, which includes several references about age ranges and demographics. What is the correct way to hyphenate age ranges?
This is one of the sentences as an example:
All-cash buyers have greater flexibility and certainty of closing, relative to 25-to-33 year-olds, where 96% use financing to purchase a home with a median loan-to-value ratio of 90% and a 10% down payment.
Which is correct?
This is one of the sentences as an example:
All-cash buyers have greater flexibility and certainty of closing, relative to 25-to-33 year-olds, where 96% use financing to purchase a home with a median loan-to-value ratio of 90% and a 10% down payment.
Which is correct?
- 25-to-33-year-olds
- 25- to 33-year-olds
- Something else?
Thank you!
Answer
25-to-33-year-olds, following this section of the hyphen entry:
SUSPENSIVE HYPHENATION: Use these forms to shorten a compound modifier or a noun phrase that shares a common word:
SUSPENSIVE HYPHENATION: Use these forms to shorten a compound modifier or a noun phrase that shares a common word:
When the elements are joined by and or or, expressing more than one element: 10-, 15- or 20-minute intervals; 5- and 6-year-olds. But: The intervals are 10, 15 or 20 minutes; the children are 5 to 6 years old.
When the elements are joined by to or by, expressing a single element: a 10-to-15-year prison term; an 8-by-12-inch pan. But: The prison term is 10 to 15 years; the pan is 8 by 12 inches.
Question from Millington, Tennessee, on Dec. 19, 2024
Hello,
Long time reader, first time asker. ROTC is acceptable in all references, but when referring to JROTC, is there a style preference? Would it be Junior ROTC or JROTC? I appreciate your help and guidance.
Long time reader, first time asker. ROTC is acceptable in all references, but when referring to JROTC, is there a style preference? Would it be Junior ROTC or JROTC? I appreciate your help and guidance.
Answer
I think Junior ROTC is better on first reference, and JROTC is fine after that. That's generally in keeping with the second line of the entry, at least for first reference. We wouldn't use AROTC, AFROTC, etc., on second reference but I think JROTC is common enough that it's OK on later references.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The s' is military practice. ROTC is acceptable in all references.
When the service is specified, use Army ROTC, Navy ROTC or Air Force ROTC, not AROTC, NROTC or AFROTC.
Question from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, on Dec. 19, 2024
I understand for numerals, you are to spell out one through nine in most uses and using figures for 10 or above. However, use figures whenever preceding a unit of measure or points. So I would say 2-inches. But, in the example below, do you still use figures even when there are words between the unit?
"...in the event of two or more inches of snow."
OR
"...in the event of 2 or more inches of snow."
"...in the event of two or more inches of snow."
OR
"...in the event of 2 or more inches of snow."
Answer
Yes, use the figure in that example.
Question from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 19, 2024
move-in ready; move-in-ready; move in-ready
which one reads best with a noun (like "homes") after it?
which one reads best with a noun (like "homes") after it?
Answer
I'd go with move in-ready but I'm not fond of any of them. Can you rephrase?
Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on Dec. 18, 2024
How does AP handle hyphenation or spacing for short listed and long listed? I have seen shortlisted as one word, but also hyphenated. Here is my specific context:
Both XXXX, an Ocala local, and ZZZZ have competed at the top level of equestrian sport themselves, with Wordley representing New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and ZZZZ long- listed for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Both XXXX, an Ocala local, and ZZZZ have competed at the top level of equestrian sport themselves, with Wordley representing New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and ZZZZ long- listed for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Answer
With a hyphen, per Merriam-Webster.
Question from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 18, 2024
Hello. I see that the phrase free throw lane is not hyphenated. But would you hyphenate free throw attempts, as in John Doe made all four of his free-throw attempts?
Answer
No hyphen in free throw attempts.
Question on Dec. 16, 2024
The stylebook says that the official name of the Israel Defense Forces is instead Israeli Defense Forces. However, the organization's official website says it is Israel, not Israeli. https://www.idf.il/en/
Answer
Good catch. Thank you! We will get that fixed.
Question from Mitchellville, Maryland, on Dec. 16, 2024
Is the acronym "ROI" so common that you don't need to spell it out on first reference?
Answer
It's not that common for many general readers. We don't use it. If your specific readers are very familiar with it, it's fine on second reference. Or first. Up to you.
Question on Dec. 14, 2024
Wich is the correct option- There're/There's too many mistakes in this essay?
Answer
There are. Or: This essay has too many mistakes.
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