Abbreviations & Acronoyms
True or False: Abbreviations should be avoided in headlines.
True.
-AP Stylebook, Page 1
In numbered addresses, do you spell out or abbreviate the following terms: avenue, boulevard, street.
-AP Stylebook, Page 2
Which one? All right or alright?
All right
bull's eye or bull's-eye
bull's-eye
-AP Stylebook, Page 36
What is the difference between bizarre and bazaar?
Bizarre = unusual
Bazaar = a fair
True or False: BMI is acceptable on first reference.
False. Like most abbreviations, Body Mass Index should be used upon first reference, followed by BMI as the second.
-AP Stylebook, Page 33
When do you capitalize academic departments? When do you have them lowercased?
Academic departments are always lowercased except when referring to the full, official title: Northwestern College's Department of Public Relations.
-AP Stylebook, Page 3
True or False: Anticipate and expect can be used interchangeably.
False.
Anticipate = prepare for something that you know is coming.
Expect = no prep, just knowledge.
-AP Stylebook, Page 18
When do you use "break-in" and when do you use "break in"?
Break-in is a noun and adjective & break in is when its used as a verb/action.
-AP Stylebook, Page 35
What's the difference between baloney and bologna?
Baloney = foolish or exaggerated talk
Bologna = luncheon meat
True or False: BLT can stand on its own for all references.
True.
-AP Stylebook, Page 32
Is a person accused of or accused with a crime?
Accused of*
Always used accused of instead of alleged to help removed judgement prior to trial.
-AP Stylebook, Page 4
What does biweekly mean?
It means every other week. Semiweekly means twice a week.
-AP Stylebook, Page 32
Anti-microbial or antimicrobial
All anti- words are hyphenated except a list of 32 words, such as antibiotic, antioxidant, antiviral, antiseptic, antiphony, antiperspirant, etc.
-AP Stylebook, Page 18
Which one is the most acceptable? ADD or ADHD
ADHD is the best terminology. ADD is considered outdated.
-AP Stylebook, Page 24
Which is correct? ATM or ATM machine?
ATM means automatic teller machine, so adding another "machine" is considered redundant. You only need to use ATM for all references.
-AP Stylebook, Page 24
How do you capitalize and punctuate titles of paintings and sculptures?
Hint: They follow different rules.
Paintings = enclosed in quotations "Mona Lisa"
Sculptures = capitalized without quotes: The Thinker
-AP Stylebook, Page 22
What is the difference between "alter" and "altar"?
Alter = to change
Altar = a tablelike platform used for a religious service
-AP Stylebook, Page 12
Is it bloodbath, blood bath, or blood-bath?
Bloodbath
-AP Stylebook, Page 32
What's the difference between bloc and block?
Bloc = a coalition of people, groups or nations with the same purpose or goal.
Block = lots of definitions, but a political alliance is not one of them.
-AP Stylebook, Page 32
Big Tech
A prominent person is shot one day and dies the next. Which day was he assassinated?
The day he was attacked.
-AP Stylebook, Page 22
What should you say instead of Bubble Wrap, since you shouldn't use a registered trademark?
Instead, use "cushioning or packaging material" unless it is important to the story.
-AP Stylebook, Page 36
Will you ever spell out bed-and-breakfast?
Yes, upon first reference of a B&B
-AP Stylebook, Page 30
What's the difference between "awhile" and "a while"?
Awhile = "He plans to stay awhile."
A while = "He plans to stay for a while." In order for it to be two words, you need a preposition prior to it.
-AP Stylebook, Page 26