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Last Seven Days

Question from Australia, on Jan. 20, 2025

Hello, should the "W" in "western" be capitalised for "Western hats"? Thank you.

Answer

Western should be lowercase in this instance. 

Question from Washington, District of Columbia, on Jan. 20, 2025

In this sentence, would "historic" or "historical" figures be accurate?

He emphasized the spiritual and patriotic DNA of the U.S., pointing to historical figures like Patrick Henry and Sam Adams as symbols of the enduring American spirit.  

Answer

A historic event is an important occurrence, one that stands out in history. Any occurrence in the past is a historical event. In this case, Patrick Henry and Sam Adams would be historical figures. 

Question from Bradenton, Florida, on Jan. 20, 2025

Is quasi judicial hyphenated as quasi-judicial?

Answer

Yes, it is quasi-judicial.

Question from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 20, 2025

I see that prix fixe is listed as a noun without a hyphen, but there is no guidance for how to use it as an adjective. I always assumed it would be prix-fixe menu, but I have also seen it written prix fixe menu. Please confirm!

Answer

It is prix-fixe menu. 

Question from Lakeland, Florida, on Jan. 20, 2025

Please confirm the word ‘college’ in the second sentence below should be lowercase. What if the institution reference in the first sentence omits the word college? Would the word college in the second sentence be capitalized?
 
Smithville College is in Springfield.  An NCAA Division III powerhouse, the college is home to the Fighting Lions national champion archery team. 

Answer

College would only be upper case if it is part of the name of the school. 

Question from Seattle, Washington, on Jan. 18, 2025

 How would you treat two consecutive verbs where each would be prefaced by “to” on their own? For example, which way should this sentence be written?
  • The group is hoping to operationalize and accelerate the work.
  • OR: The group is hoping to operationalize and to accelerate the work.

Answer

The group is hoping to operationalize and accelerate the work. The one "to" can do the work for both operationalize and accelerate. 

Question from Bradenton, Florida, on Jan. 18, 2025

Hello...Is it match-maker or matchmaker...match-making or matchmaking?

Answer

It is matchmaker and matchmaking.

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