Editing D-E
detective
do not abbreviate . capitalize before a name only if it is formal
Derogatory terms
do not use derogatory terms except in direct quotes
dictionaries
for spelling , style, and usage questions not covered in stylebook.
earthquakes
hundreds of earthquakes occur each year . most are so small they cannot be felt.
Drowned, was drowned
if a person suffocates in water or other fluid , the proper statement is that the individual drowned. to say someone was drowned implies that another person caused by death by holding the victims head under the water .
earth
lowercase
lowercase
Department
lowercase department in plural uses, but capitalize the proper name element
Directions and regions
lowercase north, south, northeast, northern ect., when they indicate compass direction , capitalize these words when they designate regions.
Democratic National Committee
on the second reference : the national committee , the committee.
Either...or, neither ....nor
requires a verb that agrees with the nearer subject : neither they nor he is going
Do's and don'ts
spell them out like that
Disabilities
state the specific disability , avoid using defect or defective
Emeritus
this word often is added to formal titles to denote that individuals who have retired retain their rank or title . When used , place emeritus after the formal title, in keeping with the general practice of academic
Each other, one another
two people look at each other . More than two look at one another.
Either
use it to mean one or the other, not both
dimensions
uses figures and spell out inches, feet, yard, ect. hyphenate adjectival forms before noun. ex) 5-foot-6-inch man
Distances
uses figures for 10 and above, spell out one through nine
Drive
Always spell out other words such as alley, drive and road. If the street name or directional cue is used without a numbered address, it should be capitalized and spelled out.
Engine, motor
An engine develops its own power , usually through internal combustion . A motor receives power from an outside source.
Epidemic, Pandemic
An epidemic is the rapid spreading of disease in a certain population. pandemic is t he worldwide spread of a new disease
Dwarf
"preferred term for people with a medical or genetic condition resulting in short stature." Midget is considered offensive.
Democrats
Capitlize , don't use Democrat parties.
DUI, DWI
DUI : driving under the influence . DWI is an acronym for the phrase driving while intoxicated.
Drunk, drunken, drunkenness
Drunk is the spelling of the adjective used after a form of the verb: he was drunk . Drunken is the spelling of the adjective used before a nouns: a drunken driver , drunken driving. Drunkenness:
Down syndrome
Not Down's , for genetic , chromosomal disorder first reported in 1866
Emigrate, immigrate
One who leaves a country emigrates from it. One who comes into a country immigrants
Disc Jockey
Second reference
Each
Takes a singular verb
Essential clauses, nonessential clauses
The differences between them is that the essential clause cannot be eliminated without changing the meaning of sentences.
Every one, everyone
Two words when it means each individual item: Every one of the clue was worthless.
Doctor
Use Dr. in first reference as a formal title .
Ensure , insure, assure
Use ensure to mean guarantee : steps were taken to ensure acuracy. Use insure for references to insurance : the policy insures his life. Use assure to mean to make sure
Entitled
Use it to mean a right to do or have something . do not use it to mean titled.
Election returns
Use the word to (not a hyphen) in separating different totals listed together: Jimmy Carter outpolled Gerald Ford 40,827 , 292, to 39
dollars
always lowercase
Electoral college
but electoral votes
