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.
On June 6, the pope will answer the prayers of a Bosnian (mail man; mailman; mail carrier) and pigeon breeder.
mail carrier.
The gender-neutral language entry says: In general, use terms that can apply to any gender. Such language aims to treat people equally and is inclusive of people whose gender identity is not strictly male or female. Balance these aims with common sense, respect for the language, and an understanding that gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language is evolving and in some cases is challenging to achieve.
Two people died and (another three; three others) were missing in a tropical storm that lashed the eastern Caribbean.
three others.
The Stylebook’s another entry says another is not a synonym for additional; it refers to an element that somehow duplicates a previously stated quantity. Correct: Ten people took the test; another 10 refused. Ten people took the test; 20 others refused. Incorrect: Ten people took the test; another 20 refused.
What months are spelled out in dates?
March through July. April 1 and July 4 are holidays.
Maine and Iowa should be abbreviated in datelines.
False
The following eight states are never abbreviated in datelines or text: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah. See the state names entry.
Is Dr. Toro president or President of UNCC?
She is president of UNCC.
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.
A teenager who was serving time for setting her mother’s house on fire (committed suicide; died by suicide) in prison.
died by suicide
The Stylebook's suicide entry says to avoid using committed suicide except when directly quoting authorities. Alternate phrases include died by suicide, took her own life or killed herself. The entry includes other guidance, including this important point: Generally, AP does not cover suicides or suicide attempts, unless the person involved is a well-known figure or the circumstances are particularly unusual or publicly disruptive.
The bill (will; would) require that all payments over $500 be reported.
would
Use conditional language for bills throughout the legislative process: The bill would prohibit such activity; the bill seeks to legalize the drug. See the act, amendment, bill, law, measure, ordinance, resolution, rule, statute entry.
What months are abbreviated in dates?
August through February. Sept. 2, Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 are holidays.
The moon will block the bright double star Delta Scorpii for stagazers in the northeastern U.S. and (Eastern; eastern) Canada.
eastern.
According to the directions and regions entry, lowercase unless the name of the nation is part of a proper name or used to designate a politically divided nation: northern France, the western United States.
Am I Prof. Nix-Crawford or Professor Nix-Crawford?
Professor Nix-Crawford
When are single quote marks used?
Use single quote marks in quotes within quotes. “I loved ‘Black Panther. ’ ”
Detroit remains among the most (schizophrenic; inconsistent) teams in the NFL and must find a way to transfer its solid work at home to road games.
inconsistent.
The Stylebook's mental illness and disabilities entries say to avoid using mental health terms to describe other topics and unrelated issues. Specific conditions are disorders and should be used whenever possible. For example: He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to court documents.
The student (claimed; said) he studied for days for the final exam.
said.
The claim entry notes that the verb claim implies doubt, and its use in stories can suggest the reporter does not believe something. Generally, said is a better term. Claim is most appropriate when an assertion is open to question and the story presents an alternative point of view.
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.
Beijing is one of the most populous cities in (the Orient; Asia).
Asia.
Do not use the Orient or oriental when referring to East Asian nations and their peoples.
Did V.P. Kamala Harris once visit UNCC?
No, Vice President Harris once visited UNCC.
Where do periods go with ALL quote marks?
Periods go inside. "I said, 'No.' "
The group is seeking better options in housing for (the elderly; seniors; elderly people; older adults; senior citizens).
older adults.
See the older adult(s), older person/people entry. The terms older adult(s) or older person/older people are preferred over senior citizens, seniors or elderly as a general term when appropriate and relevant. It is best used in general phrases that do not refer to specific individuals: concern for older people; a home for older adults. Aim for specificity when possible: new housing for people 65 and over; an exercise program for women over 70.
Six of the (incidents; cases) were classified as "lethal," meaning they involved discharging a firearm or striking someone in the neck causing an injury.
cases or a similar term.
The Stylebook’s incident entry says: Try to avoid this term, which is vague and often used as jargon by police and others. Instead, be specific about what happened, including on later references. For example, a shooting can be called the shooting, rather than the incident, on later references; a violent protest can be called the protest on later references. By many definitions, an incident is minor – not anything that causes death, injury, notable damage or significant harm.
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.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the (United States; U.S.; either).
Either.
The U.S. entry says the abbreviation is acceptable as a noun or adjective for United States. In headlines, it's US (no periods).
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?"
He is a (recovering alcoholic; person recovering from alcoholism) who has helped other people battle the disease.
person recovering from alcoholism.
The Stylebook's alcoholic entry says alcoholic is an adjective used to describe beverages. For people, say people or person with alcoholism or person recovering from alcoholism. Avoid an alcoholic unless individuals prefer that term for themselves or if the term occurs in quotations or names of organizations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Many people with the disease refer to themselves as alcoholics, but leading authorities on addiction say such language can be self-punitive and stigmatizing.
Lanterns are traditionally lit on the last day of the (Lunar New Year; Chinese New Year) celebration to gain favor with the gods and yield a good harvest.
Lunar New Year.
Marking the start of the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday begins from mid-January to mid-February depending on the year. The Lunar New Year entry says that term is preferred over Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, the name it is known by in China. The holiday is also observed in South Korea, where it is known as Seollal, and Vietnam, where it is known as Tet.
Is it Sept. 2nd or Sept. 2?
Sept. 2. Don't use "nd." Don't say "Feb. 1st." It's Feb. 1.
Fernandez drove from Richmond, (Calif., CA, California) to New York City six times last year to audition for Broadway roles.
California.
The Stylebook’s state names entry says: The names of the 50 U.S. states should be spelled out when used in the body of a story, whether standing alone or in conjunction with a city, town, village or military base. The U.S. territories entry says do not abbreviate the names of the 16 territories.