Numero Uno
HDR Style
Save Some Space
Punctuation Junction
Pot Pouri
100
The correct way to display the time. A) 7:30AM B) 7:30 a.m. C) 7:30 A.M. D) 7:30am
What is B? 7:30 a.m.
100
This preferred writing style generally avoids using forms of the verb "to be."
What is active voice? Example: Active voice: Steve Caito ordered the koozies. Passive voice: The koozies were ordered by Steve Caito.
100
This word can succinctly replace the phrase "is capable of."
What is can?
100
The number of commas that should be in this sentence: Brock Wendlandt who once served as a bat boy for the Omaha Royals remains an avid baseball fan.
What is two? Brock Wendlandt, who once served as a bat boy for the Omaha Royals, remains an avid baseball fan.
100
One of these two sentences requires commas: 1) The room that has video conferencing is unavailable. 2) The room which has video conferencing is unavailable.
What is 2? The room, which has video conferencing, is unavailable.
200
The preferred way to convey the cost of the Hoover Dam Bypass. A) $240,000,000 B) $240M C) $240 million
What is C? $240 million
200
This word would need to be replaced to make the following sentence on brand. Led by Joseph Moore (Houston), HDR presented a geotechnical evaluation of the project area.
What is HDR? Led by Joseph Moore (Houston), we presented a geotechnical evaluation of the project area.
200
The number of words you can remove from this sentence while keeping the same meaning: The team performed the development of the site.
What is three? The team developed the site.
200
The number of commas needed in this sentence: We will meet Thursday Jan. 28 2018 after lunch.
What is three? We will meet Thursday, Jan. 28, 2018, after lunch.
200
The number of words that should be capitalized in this sentence: The city of Chicago is known as the windy city.
What is two? The city of Chicago is known as the Windy City.
300
The preferred style for Amanda Green’s birthday. A) Feb. 27 B) Feb. 27th
What is A? Feb. 27 Also accepted: “Lit.”
300
Especially in sales documents like proposals, it’s our job to make certain this word is never used.
What is ensure? Also accepted: Guarantee
300
The number of words you can remove from this sentence while keeping the same meaning: The well was a distance of 20 miles away.
What is three? The well was 20 miles away.
300
Often confused with a hyphen, this longer punctuation mark sets off words or phrases that interrupt the flow of a sentence.
What is a dash? Correct: Amy Gumm — who started her HDR career in Las Vegas — is now part of the Mothership. Incorrect Amy Gumm - who started her HDR career in Las Vegas - is now part of the Mothership.
300
Journalists use this writing style, which organizes content by starting with the most important information the reader needs (who, what, when, where, why), followed by other important details, then other general information or background detail.
What is inverted pyramid style?
400
The number of apostrophes that belong in the following modified song lyric: You’re from the 70s, but I’m a 90s businessman.
What is two? You’re from the ‘70s, but I’m a ‘90s businessman.
400
According to HDR’s brand voice, we should avoid sentences as well as series within a sentence that have this characteristic.
What is long?
400
This word can be removed without changing the meaning of the following sentence: The bridge is located near the I-80 interchange.
What is located? The bridge is near the I-80 interchange.
400
A compound sentence includes two independent clauses that could stand alone as complete sentences, divided by a conjunction such as “and” or “but,” and this required punctuation mark?
What is a comma? Lindsey Bierman is a talented designer, and she also knows how to decorate a cubicle.
400
As a general rule of thumb, acronyms should always be spelled out in this instance.
What is on first reference?
500
The number of numbers that should be spelled out in the following sentence: All 9 members of the Program Services team and the other 50 employees on the floor will receive monitors that are 22 inches wide, except Jeanne Nissen, who prefers to work on 3 9-inch screens because she is “extra.”
What is two? All nine members of the Program Services team and the other 50 employees on the floor will receive monitors that are 22 inches wide, except Jeanne Nissen, who prefers to work on three 9-inch screens. But she isn’t really “extra.”
500
To make the following sentence on brand, the references to the client would need to be changed to these two words. We will address the Metro Transit Authority’s needs and work with the agency to resolve issues.
What are your and you? We will address your needs and work with you to resolve issues.
500
This word can be removed without changing the meaning of the following sentence: The team currently is designing the hospital.
What is currently?
500
The number of punctuation marks that belong inside the quotation marks. “I love HDR”, Jim said. “You love HDR”? Danny asked. Did Jim say he “loves HDR”? Yes, he said he “loves HDR”.
What is three? “I love HDR,” Jim said. “You love HDR?” Danny asked. Did Jim say he “loves HDR”? Yes, he said he “loves HDR.”
500
The number of directional words that should be made lowercase in this sentence. All across the Midwest, from West Omaha to East St. Louis to the South Side of Chicago, people are talking about the fine season Tommy La Stella had, with a batting average just South of .300.
What is two? All across the Midwest, from west Omaha to East St. Louis to the South Side of Chicago, people are talking about the fine season Tommy La Stella had, with a batting average just south of .300.
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