Ask the Editor
Last Seven DaysAnswer
You need some reference in the attribution showing that the person speaking is associated with the company. Some examples (and note the changes in bold to conform with grammar and style):
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said Renewable Energy Group's president and CEO, Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
or
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said the company's president and CEO, Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
Or to use the title as a title and not a descriptor, omit the comma and use the capitalized President:
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said Renewable Energy Group President and CEO Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said company President and CEO Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said Renewable Energy Group's president and CEO, Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
or
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said the company's president and CEO, Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
Or to use the title as a title and not a descriptor, omit the comma and use the capitalized President:
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said Renewable Energy Group President and CEO Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
“As the energy industry continues to transition to cleaner, sustainable production, Renewable Energy Group is at the forefront of this transition, providing our customers fuel solutions that are easy to use and deliver carbon reduction now,” said company President and CEO Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner.
Question from Newark, Ohio, on July 23, 2021
When adding an apostrophe with decades, as in '80s, in regards to the font, should the scoop face west or east, or does it even matter? I say west, and I'm always fixing this. Thanks!
Answer
As you have it is perfect.
Question from Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 23, 2021
What is the rule regarding dialogue tags for a multi-sentence quote such as the following:
“I am ecstatic about the prospect of the NRS family getting together again and am looking forward to an exciting and successful return,” said executive director Josh Schmieder. “I can’t wait to bring our love of music and singing back to the community.”
Is another tag required after the second sentence, or is it understood that the speaker (Josh Schmider in this case) hasn't changed?
Thank you.
“I am ecstatic about the prospect of the NRS family getting together again and am looking forward to an exciting and successful return,” said executive director Josh Schmieder. “I can’t wait to bring our love of music and singing back to the community.”
Is another tag required after the second sentence, or is it understood that the speaker (Josh Schmider in this case) hasn't changed?
Thank you.
Answer
It's understood that the speaker hasn't changed. As you have it is correct.
Question from Houston, Texas, on July 22, 2021
How should we handle frequent abbreviations of "Monday-Friday"? "M-F", "Mon-Fri", Mon.-Fri.", or something else?
Answer
I'd go with M-F or Mon.-Fri.
We don't have a specific style.
We don't have a specific style.
Question from Tempe, Arizona, on July 22, 2021
When using "K-12" in an academic setting, would a hyphen or en dash be used? K-12 implies Kindergarten through 12th grade but K-12 with a hyphen is widely used.
Answer
We use the hyphen for ranges such as that. AP style doesn't use en dashes at all.
Question from on July 22, 2021
Is evidence a plural noun, please? Thanks~
Answer
Singular, at least in the U.S.
Question from USA, on July 22, 2021
Does AP agree with CMS regarding the capitalization of electoral districts, as in the “16th State Senate District”?
Answer
The 16th District, the 16th Senate District, the 16th state Senate District.
Question from San Diego, California, on July 22, 2021
Compound imperative question: Is the comma before the conjunction used correctly in the following sentence? And does AP ever use a comma for emphasis, as in the comma before the dependent clause at the end of the sentence?
"Join our mock admissions panel webinar, and explore the reasoning behind a college's decision to accept certain students, or reject them."
"Join our mock admissions panel webinar, and explore the reasoning behind a college's decision to accept certain students, or reject them."
Answer
No comma after webinar in this example. The comma before or for emphasis is fine.
Question from ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, on July 21, 2021
I see guidance from 2016 on geo-blocking, which noted that AP stories were using the hyphen. Is that still the prevalent practice? I assume it's just a matter of time before that hyphen vanishes, since we already have geolocation and geotagging.
Answer
Let's go with geoblocking. I've deleted the previous answer.
Question from Charlotte, N.C., on July 21, 2021
Hard to believe there's never been an Ask the Editor question about this, but: Rickrolling or rickrolling for the late-aughts internet fad named after singer Rick Astley?
Answer
It is indeed hard to believe there's never been a question, or an entry, on this point. We'd use "Rickrolling," in quotes, with the capital letter since it derives from a proper name.
Question from Anchorage, Alaska, on July 21, 2021
Is it ever OK to list the losing total first? The measure failed with a vote total of 20-40. When the votes were tallied, our candidate lost 20,000-30,000. My team lost 2-4. Sounds silly to me but I see it often.
Answer
I imagine there might be an occasional reason in a certain context, with wording that explains it. But generally, no. It's confusing to readers, to say the least!
Question from Houston, Texas, on July 21, 2021
Your resolve and dedication to excellence has/have created an environment where our patients feel safe and supported.
Could you let me know whether has or have is correct in the above sentence and why or what rule to consult? A few writers here are at odds about this!
Answer
It depends on whether you regard resolve and dedication to excellent as a single concept, or resolve and dedication to excellence as separate concepts or traits. I have a hard time seeing those as one combined concept. They seem like distinct traits to me. So I'd use the plural: have.
Question from Millbrae, California, on July 21, 2021
I want to use the term Indian summer - is this acceptable or should I refer to the warm fall sun?
Answer
Often when a warning bell goes off in your head, it's best to heed it. I'd go with the warm fall sun.
Question from on July 21, 2021
Hi! Do I need a hypen for 1-day race, 2-day race and 3 day race?
Answer
Yes. And we'd make it one-day, two-day, etc.
Question from on July 21, 2021
The sports entry is clear on using that a team was 8 of 9 when referencing statistics. What about a non-sports situation like a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes. Is it "1 of 3" or "one of three"?
Answer
One of three prizes, but a 1 in 3 chance of winning. (Yes, it's confusing.)
Question from New York, New York, on July 21, 2021
Does AP have any opinion on how to refer to “decentralized finance” on second reference? Am seeing it called “DeFi” in some cases.
Answer
We wouldn't use the shorthand for our general audiences.
Question from Sugar Land, Texas, on July 20, 2021
Hello! Is it hyphenated? "A near-infinite supply . . . "
Answer
Yes, use the hyphen there.
Question from Layton, Utah, on July 20, 2021
Is there a guideline for whether to hyphenate or not when a compound adjective is formed with a proper noun? E.g. Describing this unique menu item, would it be "Cuban sandwich inspired pork" or "Cuban-sandwich-inspired pork"?
Answer
Regard Cuban sandwich as a single term. So, Cuban sandwich-inspired pork.
Question from Livonia, Michigan, on July 20, 2021
What is AP's stance on starting a sentence with the word "but"? I know that it's traditionally been deemed "bad grammar" but I don't see any reason why.
Answer
We are fine with starting a sentence with but.
Question from Columbia, Maryland, on July 20, 2021
I believe it used to be AP's stance not to hyphenate a number and million or billion even as part of a compound modifier. E.g., a 200 million-square-foot range.
What is its current guidance? In December 2020, an Ask the Editor reply recommended a 2-million-gallon water tank. Although in March 2021, another reply advised six 1 million-gallon vessels.
What is its current guidance? In December 2020, an Ask the Editor reply recommended a 2-million-gallon water tank. Although in March 2021, another reply advised six 1 million-gallon vessels.
Answer
No hyphen: a 2 million-gallon water tank.
Question from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 20, 2021
Wholly-owned: The questions addressing this entry are quite old, and the answers conflict with how the entry appears. In searching the guide, I found that the entry is hyphenated. Yet the answer and rule cited say not to hyphenate after words ending in -ly. Shouldn't the two align? Thanks.
Answer
I think you're looking at the Webster's New World College Dictionary entry, which you may have as part of your Stylebook Online subscription:
Webster's New World College Dictionary (5th Edition) (One result)
Webster's New World College Dictionary (5th Edition) (One result)
wholly-owned adj. designating or of a subsidiary company all of whose common stock is owned by another company
The dictionary does hyphenate the term. AP style does not, in keeping with our guidance about not using a hyphen after words ending in -ly.
This is one of many cases of different styles. Neither is absolutely right or wrong. It's just a different style. We generally conform with Webster's New World College Dictionary, but not always.
The dictionary does hyphenate the term. AP style does not, in keeping with our guidance about not using a hyphen after words ending in -ly.
This is one of many cases of different styles. Neither is absolutely right or wrong. It's just a different style. We generally conform with Webster's New World College Dictionary, but not always.
Question from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on July 20, 2021
Which is correct: a 2,000-pound munition or a 2000-pound munition without the comma?
Answer
With the comma.
Question from Tokyo, on July 20, 2021
Hi, a question about "whereabouts is" vs. "whereabouts are". According to you, this takes a singular verb. But Merriam-Webster, while agreeing with you as a strictly pedantic point of view, points out that common usage is to favor the plural verb.
AP news stories also tend to use "whereabout are", see e.g. here and here.
I don't know about you, but my ear prefers "are".
Is your advice still the same?
AP news stories also tend to use "whereabout are", see e.g. here and here.
I don't know about you, but my ear prefers "are".
Is your advice still the same?
Answer
We will take a look at it. I agree that whereabouts are certainly is commonly used and accepted. Thanks for asking.
Question from Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 19, 2021
When referring to a commonwealth's highest court, would you use "the commonwealth Supreme Court" instead of "state Supreme Court"?
Answer
Follow local usage. The term state is often used informally for commonwealths.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on July 19, 2021
Should the following titles be capitalized in a press release if they appear in the format listed below?
Dr. Joy Smith, Under Secretary for Health and Research
Associate Administrator for the Health Mission Society, Dr. Joe Smith
Dr. Joy Smith, Under Secretary for Health and Research
Associate Administrator for the Health Mission Society, Dr. Joe Smith
Answer
Lowercase in the first example.
In the second:
Associate Administrator for the Health Mission Society Joe Smith
or
The associate administrator for the Health Mission Society, Dr. Joe Smith
In the second:
Associate Administrator for the Health Mission Society Joe Smith
or
The associate administrator for the Health Mission Society, Dr. Joe Smith
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