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Last Seven DaysQuestion from Bangalore, on May 24, 2022
Modern, artificial intelligence-/machine learning-based probabilistic forecasts are different...
Is the suspended hyphen usage correct here?
Is the suspended hyphen usage correct here?
Answer
Technically, perhaps. But it sure is hard to read and understand.
Of course, we wouldn't use probabilistic in writing for general audiences. But I understand it's likely OK for your specific audience.
I'd argue that you don't need the word modern. Artificial intelligence and machine learning pretty much imply modern.
How about: Probabilistic forecasts based on artificial intelligence and/or machine learning are different ...
Of course, we wouldn't use probabilistic in writing for general audiences. But I understand it's likely OK for your specific audience.
I'd argue that you don't need the word modern. Artificial intelligence and machine learning pretty much imply modern.
How about: Probabilistic forecasts based on artificial intelligence and/or machine learning are different ...
Question from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on May 24, 2022
What is the acceptable courtesy style to use for individuals who prefer "they/them" pronouns? Is it "Mx."?
Answer
We don't use courtesy titles. I'd suggest asking the person what they prefer.
Answer
I'd definitely use the a before radio format. But I can't give a reason. I'm sure there is one. I just don't know it.
Question from San Francisco, California, on May 23, 2022
"Dig into the data" or "Dig in to the data"?
Answer
One could argue that one either way. I'd use the latter. But I think the former is fine, too.
Question from New York, New York, on May 23, 2022
Hi. NATO member states or member-states? Same with member nations, of course.
Thanks,
Richard
Thanks,
Richard
Answer
No hyphen. We call them simply NATO members.
Question from Tacoma, Washington, on May 23, 2022
I see that AP style calls for "microgrid" as one word. Can I assume the same for nanogrid?
Answer
Yes.
Question from DPO, Armed Forces, on May 23, 2022
What's the best/proper way to style this sentence:
It’s a classic question, and the answer is usually: both.
Should I use quotes around "both" instead?
Thank you!
It’s a classic question, and the answer is usually: both.
Should I use quotes around "both" instead?
Thank you!
Answer
No quote marks needed.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 23, 2022
Should on board or onboard be used in the following sentence?
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo on board the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo onboard the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo on board the ship
There is more than 500 pounds of cargo onboard the ship
Answer
On board, and I'd rephrase: More than 500 pounds of cargo are on board the ship. Or simply ... are on the ship.
Question from Austin, on May 23, 2022
Good morning! Would committee be capitalized in this sentence? Thank you in advance. "She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing committee and serves as the committee’s vice- chair."
Answer
Yes as part of the committee's full name, but not on second reference. Also, we don't hyphenate vice chair.
She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing Committee and serves as the committee’s vice chair.
She is the our company's representative on the AFPM Manufacturing Committee and serves as the committee’s vice chair.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 22, 2022
Which is the correct way to write grades seven through 12 or grades 7-12?
A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades 7-12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
A competition for students in grades 7-12 to propose experiments.
Answer
This follows our style exactly: A competition for students in grades seven through 12 to propose experiments.
I would be OK with the other construction, using the numeral 7 for consistency in a construction with the hyphen.
I would be OK with the other construction, using the numeral 7 for consistency in a construction with the hyphen.
Question from Norton Shores, Michigan, on May 22, 2022
Should Research and Development Team be capitalized in the following? Procter & Gamble and its Downy research and development team.
Answer
We use the lowercase.
Question from Fort Belvior, Va., on May 21, 2022
1st Lts Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis,
Is "Lts" correct when regarding to more than one person with the same rank?
Answer
Our style is 1st Lt. with the period. For two, 1st Lts. is technically correct but I would rephrase:
Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis, both first lieutenants, ...
Shawn Edgecomb and Michael Ellis, both first lieutenants, ...
Question from South Carolina, on May 21, 2022
Would you capitalize the title of an individual's job in a usage where the person formerly held the position?
Specifically: Former Atlanta Assistant City Engineer John Doe died May 9, 2021, but his legacy lives on…
One could argue that this is more of a position than a title, or that if it is considered a title, it is not his title any longer. Your thoughts? Thank you!
Specifically: Former Atlanta Assistant City Engineer John Doe died May 9, 2021, but his legacy lives on…
One could argue that this is more of a position than a title, or that if it is considered a title, it is not his title any longer. Your thoughts? Thank you!
Answer
We use the same style regardless of whether the person now holds it or used to hold it.
As for whether it's a title (for which we use uppercase) or a job description (lowercase), that depends on how the organization views it. See this part of the titles entry:
A final determination on whether a title is formal or occupational depends on the practice of the governmental or private organization that confers it. If there is doubt about the status of a title and the practice of the organization cannot be determined, use a construction that sets the name or the title off with commas.
As for whether it's a title (for which we use uppercase) or a job description (lowercase), that depends on how the organization views it. See this part of the titles entry:
A final determination on whether a title is formal or occupational depends on the practice of the governmental or private organization that confers it. If there is doubt about the status of a title and the practice of the organization cannot be determined, use a construction that sets the name or the title off with commas.
Question from Denver, Colorado, on May 20, 2022
Is the capital "B" in this sentence (at the start of the quote) correct, or should it be a small "b"? Thanks!
Chronic wounds can have serious consequences,” explains (expert's name is here), a specialist in wound management. Similarly, she says, “Be on the lookout for scratches or cuts that won’t heal, and any discoloration or changes.”
Chronic wounds can have serious consequences,” explains (expert's name is here), a specialist in wound management. Similarly, she says, “Be on the lookout for scratches or cuts that won’t heal, and any discoloration or changes.”
Answer
That's correct.
Question from Brooklyn, New York, on May 20, 2022
The standard abbreviation for average hourly earnings, reported in the monthly payroll report, is AHE. If you use the initialism in a sentence, is it singular or plural? AHE were up 0.3%, or AHE was up 0.3%?
Answer
The plural.
Question from Los Angeles, California, on May 20, 2022
Hi there! Does "a" need to be changed to "an" in this sentence, given that the tilde technically translates to "approximately"?:
...reflecting an ~123% premium...
I am struggling with this because I don't know if clients will just look at the number and ignore the tilde altogether. Please advise. Much appreciated!
...reflecting an ~123% premium...
I am struggling with this because I don't know if clients will just look at the number and ignore the tilde altogether. Please advise. Much appreciated!
Answer
We wouldn't use the tilde. Some readers don't know what it means, for one thing. And yes, some are likely to just ignore it and think you mean 123%, no approximately about it. Why not just use the word?
Question from Texas, on May 19, 2022
Is it is or was if you are writing an April status report in May?
The final work is well underway and should be completed this summer. or,
The final work was well underway and should be completed this summer.
Thanks!
The final work is well underway and should be completed this summer. or,
The final work was well underway and should be completed this summer.
Thanks!
Answer
Is, since it's ongoing until this summer, right?
That's unless you want to make a particular point that a lot of work had been done by April. In that case:
The final work was well underway in April and should be completed this summer.
That's unless you want to make a particular point that a lot of work had been done by April. In that case:
The final work was well underway in April and should be completed this summer.
Question from Lenexa, Kansas, on May 19, 2022
I can't seem to find an answer to this question: When using a bulleted list, is the word after a slash capitalized, such as: Arts/Crafting, Museums/Exhibits, Pricing structure/Value? Or should it be lowercase? Arts/crafting, Museums/exhibits, Pricing structure/value?
Answer
We don't have a style for that. I'd use uppercase for each word.
Question from Baltimore, Maryland, on May 19, 2022
I know a.m. and p.m. is the rule for print. I keep hearing that for digital content, AM and PM are the standard because of differences in how the eye reads content onscreen. What do you say?
Answer
We use a.m. and p.m. for digital as well as print. Our stories are published simutaneously to both print and digital. You could choose to use AM and PM, of course.
Question from Austin, on May 19, 2022
Good morning! Would knowledge sharing be hyphenated in this sentence? Thank you in advance. " In addition to providing continuing education opportunities, these meetings enable knowledge-sharing from experts."
Answer
I'd hyphenate it.
Question from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on May 19, 2022
What happened to the old "oral, verbal, written" entry? Have those distinctions disappeared, or just the entry?
Answer
We deleted the entry.
Question from New York, N.Y., on May 18, 2022
Hello. Does AP have a preference between "dataset" and "data set"? In the entry for "data journalism," it's two words, but in AP's press statement of news values and principles," it's one word. The entry for "data" doesn't specify. Thanks!
Answer
It should be data set. We'll make the change in News Values and Principles. Thanks for noting it.
Question from Texas, on May 18, 2022
Is it a "2-day outage" or "two-day outage"?
Answer
A two-day outage, in our style.
Question from Texas, on May 18, 2022
Is using period redundant in the following example? Could we say "for roughly 48 hours"?
"for roughly a 48-hour period"
"for roughly a 48-hour period"
Answer
I would much rather read for roughly 48 hours (more conversational) than for roughly a 48-hour period (very stilted).
Question from San Francisco, California, on May 18, 2022
Do parenthetical items get capitalized if they are complete sentences (even if after "i.e.,")? Also, if parenthetical material ends with question mark, would I still include a period outside parenthesis after, to complete the non-parenthetical sentence? Thank you for any guidance!
Answer
Could you give me some examples?
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