Titles
The pope spoke? Or the Pope spoke?
The pope spoke.
True. Periods go inside quote marks in the U.S. In England, periods go outside quote marks.
What's the Oxford comma?
The comma before "and" in a series: "red, white, and blue."
When do I spell out numbers?
Spell out the numbers one through nine.
What months are spelled out in dates?
March through July. April 1 and July 4 are holidays.
Is Dr. Toro president or President of CCSU?
She is president of CCSU.
True or false? We use single quotation marks for quotes.
False. We in the U.S. use double quotation marks for quotes. England uses single quote marks.
Does the U.S. use the Oxford comma?
No! It's a waste of a comma. "Red, white and blue" is just fine.
When do I use numerals?
Use numerals for 10 and above: 12 months, 365 days, 2,500 students.
What months are abbreviated in dates?
August through February. Sept. 2, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 are holidays.
Am I Prof. Lumsden or Professor Lumsden?
Professor Lumsden
When are single quote marks used?
Use single quote marks in quotes within quotes. “I loved ‘Black Panther. ’ ”
What does the Declaration of Independence guarantee us?
"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," without that useless comma.
How do you spell the grade after kindergarten?
First grade, then second grade and so on.
When do I use commas in dates?
Commas separate the day from the month and the date from the year. July 4, 1775, was a big deal.
Did V.P. Kamala Harris once visit CCSU?
No, Vice President Harris once visited CCSU.
Where do periods go with ALL quote marks?
Periods go inside. "I said, 'No.' "
When can I use the Oxford comma?
Only when really needed. "We went caroling with our dogs, Grandma, and Grandpa."
What grade is a sophomore in high school?
10th grade. A junior is in 11th grade and a senior in 12th. Use numbers for 10th and above.
What about the month and year, like September 2024? Abbreviate? Use a comma?
No. Don't abbreviate. Spell out the month. And there's no comma.
Didn't Walmart used to be Wal-Mart?
Yes. See the AP Stylebook entry for "Walmart."
Where do question marks go with quotes?
A question mark goes inside the quote. "How do you know?"
(On another issue ...) How do I write time?
With a numeral and a.m. or p.m. It's 2 p.m. It's 1:15 p.m. It's 11:30 in the morning.
What do I do if I start a sentence with a number?
Spell it out: A hundred students protested Tuesday. Unless it's a year: 2024 has been a great year.
Is it Sept. 2nd or Sept. 2?
Sept. 2. Don't use "nd." Don't say "Feb. 1st." It's Feb. 1.