AP Style B

Bar Mitzvah

The Jewish rite of passage and family celebration that marks a boy's 13th birthday. Judaism regards he age of 13 as he benchmark of religious maturity. Bar mitzvah translates as "one who is responsible for the Commandments." Some congregations have instituted the bas mitzvah or bat mitzvah a similar ceremony for girls.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ATF is acceptable in subsequent reference to this agency of the Department of Justice.

Bad, Badly

Bad should not be used as an adverb. It does not lose its status as an adjective, however, in a sentence such as I feel bad. Such a statement is the idiomatic equivalent of I am in bad health. An alternative, I feel badly, could be interpreted as meaning that your sense of touch was bad.

Biannual, Biennial

Biannual means twice a year and is a synonym for the word semiannual. Biennial means every two years.

bureau

Capitalize when part of the formal name for an organization or agency. Lowercase when used alone or to designate a corporate subdivision

Because, Since

Use because to denote a specific cause effect relationship. Since is acceptable in a casual sense when the first event in a sequence led logically to the second but was not its direct cause.