2019 AP Style Terms
lake
Capitalize as part of a proper noun (Lake Ontario). Lowercase in plural usage (Seneca lakes).
Days of the week.
Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
months
Capitalize! Spell out when using alone, or with a year alone. When a phrase lists only a month and a year, do not separate the year with commas. When a phrase refers to a month, day and year, set off the year with commas.
Rules for contractions in AP Style
Contractions are considered informal, try to avoid using them, unless they are acceptable in the dictionary
Co-op us short for cooperative or cooperate?
Cooperative
True or False: No state name is necessary if it is the same as the dateline.
TRUE.
True or False: 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.
TRUE.
True or False: Use the two-letter Postal Service abbreviations only with full addresses, including ZIP code.
TRUE.
True or False: State abbreviations are required when used in conjunction with the name of a city, town, village or military base?
TRUE. Ala. (AL) Md. (MD) N.D. (ND) Ariz. (AZ) Mass. (MA) Okla. (OK) Ark. (AR) Mich. (MI) Ore. (OR) Calif. (CA) Minn. (MN) Pa. (PA) Colo. (CO) Miss. (MS) R.I. (RI) Conn. (CT) Mo. (MO) S.C. (SC) Del. (DE) Mont. (MT) S.D. (SD) Fla. (FL) Neb. (NE) Tenn. (TN) Ga. (GA) Nev. (NV) Vt. (VT) Ill. (IL) N.H. (NH) Va. (VA) Ind. (IN) N.J. (NJ) Wash. (WA) Kan. (KS) N.M. (NM) W.Va. (WV) Ky. (KY) N.Y. (NY) Wis. (WI) La. (LA) N.C. (NC) Wyo. (WY)
True or False: Titles should be abbreviated when listed before a full name.
TRUE. Examples: Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Mr., Mrs., Rep., the Rev., Sen. General - Gen., lieutenant general - Lt. Gen., major general - Maj. Gen., brigadier general - Brig. Gen., colonel - Col., lieutenant colonel - Lt. Col., major - Maj., captain - Capt., first lieutenant - 1st Lt., second lieutenant - 2nd Lt.
How to format books (novels, collections of short stories, readers, school textbooks), epic poems, plays, newspapers, journals, magazines, movies, and databases,
underline or italicize the title
How to format short stories, essays, newspaper articles, and lyric poems
use quotation marks
How should commas be used when listing cities and their states in the body of a text?
He went to Stillwater, Oklahoma, then to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
part-time, part time
Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier: She works part time. She has a part-time job.
Which one is correct? A. I assure you, it will be taken care of. B. I ensure you, it will be taken care of. C. I insure you, it will be taken care of.
A.
When is it necessary to capitalize words?
In proper nouns, proper names, popular names, derivatives, and at the beginning of a sentence
How is the word "building" used in AP Style?
Never abbreviated. Capitalize when part of a proper noun: "Empire State Building"
Lyme disease
Never capitalize disease. Always capitalize Lyme.
Which months should be abbreviated when used with the DAY of the month?
Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
Dimensions
Pan dimensions are expressed as: a 9-by-12-inch pan or a 9-by-12 pan. Use figures and spell out inches, feet, yards, etc., to indicate depth, height, length and width. Hyphenate adjectival forms before nouns
Which of the following states are never abbreviated in datelines or text?
Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
How to properly use "committee" in AP Style
Do not abbreviate, capitalize when part of a formal name
True or False: Its is possessive, and it's is it is or it has.
True
The snub did not _____her a) faze b) phase
a) faze
My favorite holiday is ____. a.) christmas b.) Christmas
b.) Christmas
Which is correct? A. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. B. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. C. The Federal Deposit Insurance corporation.
A. is correct. Abbreviate corporation as Corp. when a company or government agency uses the word at the end of its name: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Spell out corporation when it occurs elsewhere in a name: the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Spell out and lowercase corporation whenever it stands alone.
Which is correct? A. We live in Tillman County. B. We live in Tillman Co. C. We live in Tillman county.
A. is correct. Capitalize when an integral part of a proper name: Tillman County. Capitalize the full names of county governmental units: the Tillman County Commission. Retain capitalization for the name of a county body if the proper noun is not needed in the context; lowercase the word county if it is used to distinguish an agency from state or federal counterparts: the county Board of Supervisors; Lowercase the board, the department, etc. whenever they stand alone. Capitalize county if it is an integral part of a specific body's name even without the proper noun: the County Commission, the County Legislature. Lowercase the commission, the legislature, etc. when not preceded by the word county. Capitalize as part of a formal title before a name: County Manager John Smith. Lowercase when it is not part of the formal title: county Health Commissioner Frank Jones.
What are the postal code abbreviations for the eight states that are not abbreviated?
AK (Alaska), HI (Hawaii), ID (Idaho), IA (Iowa), ME (Maine), OH (Ohio), TX (Texas), UT (Utah). Also: District of Columbia (DC).
How is "automated teller machine" written in AP Style?
ATM is acceptable in all references. (Note: never use "ATM machine")
mpg
Abbreviation is accepted with a figure, but not general use (My car gets a lot of miles per gallon).
Acceptable in all references for electronic mail. Also: esports. Use a hyphen with other e- terms: e-book, e-reader, e-commerce.
mph
Acceptable in all references for miles per hour or miles an hour.
dollars
Always lowercase. Use figures and the $ sign in all except casual references or amounts without a figure: The book cost $4. Dad, please give me a dollar. Dollars are flowing overseas. For specified amounts, the word takes a singular verb: He said $500,000 is what they want. For amounts of more than $1 million, use up to two decimal places. Do not link the numerals and the word by a hyphen: He is worth $4.35 million. He proposed a $300 billion budget. The form for amounts less than $1 million: $4, $25, $500, $1,000, $650,000.
Dates
Always use arabic figures. Don't use st, nd, rd, and th.
midnight
Avoid using 12. Instead use midnight
Which one is correct? A. I want a donut. B. I want a doughnut.
B.
I went to __________ instead of Washington, D.C. A) Washington B) Washington state C) the state of Washington D) both B and C
D. Answers B and C are used to distinguish the state of Washington between the U.S. Capital. Only used for clarification. The same rule applies for distinguishing between the state of New York and New York City.
When do you use courtesy titles?
Do not use them except in direct quotations.
What is the preferred form of addressing someone with an academic degree?
The preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as: John Jones, who has a doctorate in psychology.
essential clauses
These terms are used in this book instead of restrictive clause and nonrestrictive clause to convey the distinction between the two in a more easily remembered manner. Both types of clauses provide additional information about a word or phrase in the sentence. The difference between them is that the essential clause cannot be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence it so restricts the meaning of the word or phrase that its absence would lead to a substantially different interpretation of what the author meant. The nonessential clause, however, can be eliminated without altering the basic meaning of the sentence it does not restrict the meaning so significantly that its absence would radically alter the author's thought. PUNCTUATION: An essential clause must not be set off from the rest of a sentence by commas. A nonessential clause must be set off by commas. The presence or absence of commas provides the reader with critical information about the writer's intended meaning. Note the following examples: Reporters who do not read the Stylebook should not criticize their editors. (The writer is saying that only one class of reporters, those who do not read the Stylebook, should not criticize their editors. If the who ... Stylebook phrase were deleted, the meaning of the sentence would be changed substantially.) Reporters, who do not read the Stylebook, should not criticize their editors. (The writer is saying that all reporters should not criticize their editors. If the who ... Stylebook phrase were deleted, this meaning would not be changed.) USE OF WHO, WHOM, THAT, WHICH. See separate entries on that (conjunction); that, which (pronouns); who, whom. That is the preferred pronoun to introduce essential clauses that refer to an inanimate object or an animal without a name. Which is the only acceptable pronoun to introduce a nonessential clause that refers to an inanimate object or an animal without a name. The pronoun which occasionally may be substituted for that in the introduction of an essential clause that refers to an inanimate object or an animal without a name. In general, this use of which should appear only when that is used as a conjunction to introduce another clause in the same sentence: He said Monday that the part of the army which suffered severe casualties needs reinforcement. See that (conjunction) for guidelines on the use of that as a conjunction.
Decades
Use Arabic figures to indicate decades of history. Use an apostrophe to indicate numerals that are left out; show plural by adding the letter s: the 1890s, the '90s, the Gay '90s, the 1920s.
How to properly use "company and companies" in AP Style
Use Co. or Cos. when a business uses either word at the end of its proper name: (Ford Motor Co., American Broadcasting Cos.) If company or companies appears alone in second reference, spell the word out.
Doctor
Use Dr. in first reference as a formal title before the name of an individual who holds a doctor of dental surgery, doctor of medicine, doctor of optometry, doctor of osteopathic medicine, doctor of podiatric medicine, or doctor of veterinary medicine: Dr. Jonas Salk. The form Dr., or Drs., in a plural construction, applies to all first-reference uses before a name, including direct quotations. Do not continue the use of Dr. in subsequent references. Do not use Dr. before the names of individuals who hold other types of doctoral degrees. Instead, when necessary or appropriate for a specific audience: Cassandra Karoub, who has a doctorate in mathematics, was lead researcher. In a list: Stephanie D'Ercole, Ph.D.
What is the correct punctuation academic degrees?
Use an apostrophe in bachelor's degree, a master's, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Also: an associate degree (no possessive).
How are academic departments capitalized?
Use lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or adjectives: the department of history, the history department, the department of English, the English department, or when department is part of the official and formal name: University of Connecticut Department of Economics.
When would it be appropriate to abbreviate academic degrees?
Use such abbreviations as B.A., M.A., LL.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name — never after just a last name. When used after a name, an academic abbreviation is set off by commas: John Snow, Ph.D., spoke.
The Kentucky _____________ is the best. a) Horse Racing b) horse racing c) Horse racing
a) Horse Racing It is this because, I a specific event.
When using first hand as a noun use which one: a) first-hand b) firsthand
a) first-hand
That cow has _______ disease a) foot-and-mouth b) hoof-and-mouth
a) foot-and-mouth
He works ______ a) full time b) full-time
a) full time It doesn't describe the job
The _____ is for basketball a) fundraiser b) fundraising
a) fundraiser It is a noun so it is fundraiser.
Only _____ of people loved it a) one-third b) 1/3
a) one-third It is "a" because it is a sentence not a listing.
We went to the Oklahoma State _____. a.) Capitol b.) Capital
a.) Capitol
She was nominated to be on the _____ a.) board of directors b.) Board of directors c.) board of Directors d.) Board of Directors
a.) board of directors (Note: it will always be lowercase, except when part of a proper noun!)
The city where a seat of government is located a.) capital b.) capitol
a.) capital (Note: Do not capitalize, can also be used in a financial setting)
The fair was a ____ event. a.) citywide b.) city-wide c.) city wide
a.) citywide (Note: it is always one word)
What words should be abbreviated when used with numbered addresses?
avenue, boulevard and street
When using first hand as an adverb or adjective, use which one: a) first-hand b) firsthand
b) firsthand
She has a _____ job. a) full-time b) full time
b) full-time It is an adjective because it describes her job.
We are _________ for basketball. a) fundraiser b) fundraising
b) fundraising It is a verb so it is fundraising.
She made________ ice cream a) home-made b) homemade c) home made
b) homemade When using words with home, you must combine the words.
The _______ is tomorrow a) Horse Racing b) horse racing c) Horse racing
b) horse racing It is not a specific event.
I had _____ 50$ in my wallet. a) fewer than b) less than
b) less than It is "b" because it is talking about one specific individual person/thing.
What ____ are you on. a) faze b) phase
b) phase
2 eggs 1 cup of flour ___ cup of vanilla a) two-thirds b)2/3
b)2/3 It is "b" because it is in a list
______ 45 applications came in today. a) less than b) fewer than
b)fewer than It is "b" because it is talking about more than one person/thing.
She moved to New York around ____. a.) Christmas time b.) Christmastime c.) Christmas-time
b.) Christmastime (Note: it is always one word)
He filed a complaint to the ____ a.)Board of Trustees b.)board of trustees c.)board of Trustees d.) Board of trustees
b.) board of trustees (Note: it will always lowercase, except when part of a proper noun!)
The couple chose to have _____ careers a.) complimentary b.) complementary c.) complimintary
b.) complementary
She stole the ____ shampoos a.) complementary b.) complimentary c.) complimintary
b.) complimentary
What are the verb forms for the word "bus"
bus, bused, busing
The " " is working hard today. a) farm worker b) farm-worker c) farmworker
c) farmworker
Joseph turned ____, to look at his mom a.) back ward b.)back-wards c.) backward d) backwards
c.) backward
She received a ____ for her birthday. a.) cell pone b.) cell-phone c.) cellphone
c.) cellphone
Common words that use "co-"
co-author co-pilot co-chairman co-respondent (in a divorce suit) co-defendant co-signer co-host co-sponsor co-owner co-star co-partner co-worker
Common words that use "co" (without a hyphen)
coed cooperate coeducation cooperative coequal coordinate coexist coordination coexistence copay
When can you use "coronavirus" rather than "COVID-19"
coronavirus is acceptable on first references coronavirus cases, coronavirus tests, coronavirus variants. (not specific to the disease) Use the term COVID-19 when referring specifically to the disease: COVID-19 treatments, COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 deaths, recovering from COVID-19.
Coronavirus
do NOT use SARS-CoV-2 do NOT use the terms new coronavirus or novel coronavirus unless needed to distinguish between viruses
essential phrases
essential phrases, nonessential phrases These terms are used in this book instead of restrictive phrase and nonrestrictive phrase to convey the distinction between the two in a more easily remembered manner. The underlying concept is the one that also applies to clauses: An essential phrase is a word or group of words critical to the reader's understanding of what the author had in mind. A nonessential phrase provides more information about something. Although the information may be helpful to the reader's comprehension, the reader would not be misled if the information were not there. PUNCTUATION: Do not set an essential phrase off from the rest of a sentence by commas: We saw the award-winning movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." (No comma, because many movies have won awards, and without the name of the movie the reader would not know which movie was meant.) They ate dinner with their daughter Julie. (Because they have more than one daughter, the inclusion of Julie's name is critical if the reader is to know which daughter is meant.) Set off nonessential phrases by commas: We saw the 1975 winner of the Academy Award competition for best picture, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." (Only one movie won the award. The name is informative, but even without the name no other movie could be meant.) They ate dinner with their daughter Julie and her husband, David. (Julie has only one husband. If the phrase read and her husband David, it would suggest that she had more than one husband.) The company chairman, Henry Ford II, spoke. (In the context, only one person could be meant.) Indian corn, or maize, was harvested. (Maize provides the reader with the name of the corn, but its absence would not change the meaning of the sentence.) DESCRIPTIVE WORDS: Do not confuse punctuation rules for nonessential clauses with the correct punctuation when a nonessential word is used as a descriptive adjective. The distinguishing clue often is the lack of an article or pronoun: Right: Julie and husband Jeff went shopping. Julie and her husband, Jeff, went shopping. Right: Company Chairman Henry Ford II made the announcement. The company chairman, Henry Ford II, made the announcement.
What titles should be abbreviated AFTER a last name?
junior and senior after a last name and company, corporation, incorporated and limited after a corporate entity.
