Ask the Editor

Last Seven Days

Answer

Yes, a comma after on.

Answer

Here's our entry. In your example, we'd use the full term: gay pride, lowercase.


Pride, pride 


Capitalize Pride when referring to events or organizations honoring LGBTQ+ communities and on subsequent references. Twin Cities Pride. “Are you going to Pride?” she asked. It’s Pride day. Several cities are holding Pride events this weekend. Lowercase pride when referring to generic events or the general concept of LGBTQ+ pride. He attended a gay pride parade.

Answer

We need to discuss that. It's on my list. I don't have a definitive answer right now. 

Answer

Yes, you need a comma in that construction.

Answer

Just one question mark does double duty, inside the quote marks: Remember the first time you saw FICA and wondered, “Who’s FICA?”

Answer

No hyphen when following the verb: She was all too happy to go. But hyphenate as a modifier (note the second hyphen as well in this phrase): an all-too-common occurrence.



Answer

Capitalize both terms. And hi to the Philippines!

Answer

Memorial Day weekend.

Answer

AP stories often use simply Jan. 6. At times, but not always, we include the year as well. Certainly in headlines and leads, Jan. 6 suffices. 

Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on June 8, 2023

The river: Dnieper, Dnipro, Dnepr, or Dnyapro?

Answer

The city is Dnipro. The river is Dnieper. 

Answer

We don't use the term. Merriam-Webster, one of the dictionaries we consult, prefers juco.

Question from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on June 7, 2023

Noting the updated climate change entry says net zero is two words as a noun, hyphenated as a modifier, I suggest you delete the 2017 advice to hyphenate it in all uses.

Answer

Done. Thanks very much.

Answer

 ... encourage banks to participate in below-market-rate mortgage loan programs...

Answer

I'd definitely hyphenate it as a modifier, as in that use.


Answer

I'm not sure what the term refers to. But, assuming it's not a proper name: waters of the United States.

Answer

Either way is OK. I prefer the second option.

Answer

The first option. We capitalize titles only when they directly precede a name. Not after a name or when standing alone, as in your examples.

Answer

We would. Whether you do is up to you. But generally we intend for our style to apply to all formats.

Answer

multibillion-dollar drug

Answer

Choose the article based on how the acronym or initialism is spoken: an FBI agent; a NATO meeting. But the tricky part you note is indeed tricky. I don't know of any rule that covers that. My suggestion: Go with whichever article is correct with the full phrase as well as with one of the two acronym/initialism pronunciations. As Meatloaf noted, two out of three ain't bad. 

Question from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, on June 6, 2023

Hello! June is Pride Month or June is Pride month?
Thank you.

Answer

Our style is Pride month.

Answer

That means see the individual separate listings, such as multi-, pre-, over-, etc. However: Your question makes me think that we should compile an actual list. I will put that on my ... list.

Answer

If you consider them a "region" of sorts, then yes. 

Question from New berlin, Wisconsin, on June 6, 2023

Hi,
I'm curious about two conflicting answers you gave to a similar question. When referring to a graduating class, should the "c" in class be uppercase or lower case? Here are the two questions from your archive:

QUESTION from Canton, Conn., on April 21, 2015
ANSWERBoth depending on the usage. Jim Smith graduated from Madison High School in the Class of '62. Jim Smith, class of '62, is a longtime booster of Madison High athletics.

QUESTION from Alexandria, Virginia, on Aug. 7, 2019

Hello! 
Should "class" be uppercase or lowercase in a sentence when you are referring to "the class of 2000," for example? Or should it be "the Class of 2000"?
Thank you!

ANSWER
I'd use the lowercase.

Why uppercase "Class of '66" in the first question but not the "Class of 2000" in the second question? 

Thank you!

Answer

Thanks for pointing that out. It should be class of '66 (lowercase)  in all uses. That's supported by both Webster's New World College Dictionary and Merriam-Webster, which are entirely separate. We will delete the 2015 response (which was by a different editor). And we will correct the relevant section of the numerals entry.

Answer

As a prefix, sub- is generally lowercase. Merriam-Webster and the American Heritage Dictionary (which are entirely separate from WNWCD) also use the lowercase. 

SUBSCRIBE TO AP STYLEBOOK ONLINE

Comprehensive AP style guidance on your computer, tablet and phone

This searchable, customizable, regularly updated version of AP Stylebook offers bonus features including Ask the Editor and Topical Guides. Add Webster's New World College Dictionary for a more comprehensive resource.

Your subscription includes the popular Ask the Editor feature, where you can ask your own questions and search thousands of past answers, and Topical Guides, offering guidance to help you write about events in the news.


Sign Up for our Newsletter

Keep up to date on style news. Sign up for our stylish monthly e-newsletter by submitting your email address below.

Request your free 14-day trial

Try AP Stylebook Online for yourself

We offer free trials of individual subscriptions and 10-user site licenses for AP Stylebook Online.

We will include access to Webster's New World College Dictionary, the official dictionary of the AP Stylebook.

At the end of your free trial, we will ask you if you would like to continue your service so you can keep any of the custom entries you created on Stylebook Online.

I want AP Stylebook Online:
Back to Top