You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. If your name ends in s, x, z, ch, or sh, add es to the end. An apostrophic dilemma marquette university law school. In fact, the associated press stylebook ap style doesnt allow decades to be written as words. May 07, 2009 the associated press was founded more than 150 years ago and now has thousands of employees working in more than a hundred countries for a readership that numbers in the millions. As mentioned above, this is the comma that appears before a conjunction such as and or or in a series. When introducing width and length to the equation, then commas are needed. Ap style holds that when referencing ages you should always use figures. Mind your ps and qs, the red sox defeated the oakland as.
Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. The associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. I have two bachelors degrees and one masters degree. Sep 04, 2015 to form the possessive of a noun that ends in s, ap style has separate rules for proper names and generic nouns. Associated press style, used by most newspapers, is slightly different. No exception is made depending on whether singular nouns preceding and following the apostrophe end and start with s, respectively. For proper names like james, ap says, add an apostrophe only. Using an apostrophe to form a plural is usually a grammatical howler. A common mistake people make is to include apostrophes when pluralizing a number or an abbreviation. With very few exceptions, apostrophes do not make nouns plural. Therefore, in the example above, the correct usage would be adamss 20 work. It attempts to provide guidance, rather than blackandwhite rules.
It had to be easy for reporters and editors to use and also produce. If a singular proper noun a name ends in s, chicago and ap handle apostrophes differently. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. Italicized words are still iffy for wire transmission ap stories, so book titles are enclosed in quote marks. To form the possessive of a noun that ends in s, ap style has separate rules for proper names and generic nouns. Justice souter seems to prefer the recommendations of the chicago manual of style, which says to add the apostrophes to almost all singular nouns and names that end with s. Per apa style, the answer is that the possessive of a singular name is formed by adding an apostrophe and an s, even when the name ends in s see p.
Possessives of nouns ending in s grammar underground with. Justice thomas, whose name ends with an s, seems to favor ap style, which recommends leaving off the extra s. Apostrophes to show the plural of abbreviations and awkward. Namely, apa now recommends adding an apostrophe and an s rather than an apostrophe alone to form the possessive of names that end in an unpronounced s e. Aug 12, 2019 justice thomas, whose name ends with an s, seems to favor ap style, which recommends leaving off the extra s. The ap stylebooks rule regarding book titles, computer game titles, movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album and song titles, radio and television program titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and works of art states, put quotation marks around the names of all such works except the bible and books that are. I have two bachelor s degrees and one master s degree. Too many, the ap style guide warns, produces alphabet soup.
When i came to the court in 1987, the prevailing rule for a regular plural possessive was simply to add an apostrophe after the words final s. The grammatical use of punctuation is fairly settled. Apostrophes are generally used in contractions and to indicate the possessive case, but they are not used to form plurals of numbers and abbreviations in apa style. Ap style states that you should use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree and master s degree. For possessives of plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe. Its often used by news organizations, magazines, and web publications, but brands often use it to form the basis of their own style guides, too. Nonacademic styles, such as ap, suggest simply adding an apostrophe to the end of a word that ends in s. Ap stylebook rules for height, feet, inches gatehouse. If someone is quoted as saying, im too old to go back to school, the age is relevant. Ap style states that you should use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree.
The ap style as it s known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. We know journalists are busy, and it can be difficult to keep up with recent ap stylebook changes. The apostrophe in truckin is followed by the period because the apostrophe is part of the word. Aug 01, 2018 the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law official style guide of the associated press, a notforprofit news agency thats been around since 1846. Except for writers who abide by associated press guidelines, apostrophe rules for possessive proper nouns are virtually identical to those for possessive common nouns. Oct 03, 2019 most clients in the b2b world will base their style on either ap or chicago style. For my money, ill keep the s in charless book, both for consistency and because i say it. Apostrophes to show the plural of abbreviations and. There are times when an apostrophe is correct as when youre specifying the decade without the entire year as in the 40s. There is a reason this is called a punctuation guide. We took at look at the ap stylebook s section on possessions possessives and exorcised some demons coming up with these guidelines. Do not use an apostrophe if its simply a plural and not a possessive. Oct 28, 2019 so it puzzles me that the ap stylebook, the most influential guide for journalists, argues that a simple apostrophe suffices after proper nouns ending in s. Mary norriss thoughts on pesky possessives the new yorker.
Ap style is kansas chicago manual of style apostrophe rules. I dont know if this will help, but for chapter style, ap says. The ap stylebook says to make reference of age when it is deemed relevant to the situation. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. However, all plural nouns are treated the same as in ap style. You must register and have a current subscription to access ap stylebook online register now. Everyday stylebook reminders you can use every day. Although this presentation may look awkward to some. There are some instances when you use an apostrophe for plurals, even in the ap style as and bs, for example. For singular proper names ending in s sounds such as x, ce, and z, use s for plurals of a single letter, add s do not use s for plurals of numbers or multiple letter combinations bullets associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. English literature is replete with instances of apostrophe. The associated press was founded more than 150 years ago and now has thousands of employees working in more than a hundred countries for a readership that numbers in the millions. In the united states, the leading style guides are the chicago manual of style and the associated press.
The associated press was founded in 1848 as a cooperative effort among six new york. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. Using an unnecessary apostrophe to form the plural of a noun is a very common mistake. For singular proper names ending in s sounds such as x, ce, and z, use s for plurals of a single letter, add s do not use s for plurals of numbers or multiple letter combinations bullets associated press style is. Possessives learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study.
She smiled, youll want to read this gatehouse newsroom post about how to properly use quotation marks in ap style stories then. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. The basics ap style study guide flashcards quizlet. For cases like these, it s best to check a comprehensive style guide, such as the chicago manual or the ap stylebook it s do s and donts, according to the ap. Sep 15, 2016 if possession is ninetenths of the law, just imagine how important correctly signifying it in your writing is. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif.
Care must be taken to place the apostrophe outside the word in question. Guard against following an acronym with a word that appears in the acronym itself. Generally, you should use ages in for profiles, obituaries, significant career milestones, and achievements unusual for the age. Forming possessives with singular names apa style blog. If youre not governed by a style book, then you should be able to do your preference. To indicate plurals of acronyms, simply add an s without an apostrophe. Sometimes, its called the grocers apostrophe because of how frequently it is spotted in grocery store advertisements 3 oranges for a dollar. Tarp stands for troubled asset relief program, so writing the tarp program was controversial is redundant. Ap and chicago if the word after the noun does not begin with an s, use apostrophe s. Register to view your products, order status, shipment trackings and manage your account settings. Here, according to some of the bestknown language guides, are examples of correctly formed possessives of singular proper names ending in s. Some style guides say that singular nouns ending in s sounds such as ce, x, and z may take either the apostrophe alone or s. The chicago manual of style 16th ed would have you do thomass and chriss. This is covered more in the lesson apostrophe errors with plurals.
In ap style, if a proper noun ends in s or an s sound, add an apostrophe only. For cases like these, its best to check a comprehensive style guide, such as the chicago manual or the ap stylebook its dos and donts, according to the ap. For instance, writing the 1960s when referring to that entire decade is. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free download. Whether you use an apostrophe s or just an apostrophe with a proper name ending in s will depend on your style guide. Ap style is designed to address the challenges of the organizations large size and readership. Aug 30, 2007 there are some instances when you use an apostrophe for plurals, even in the ap style as and bs, for example. In chicago style, use an apostrophes if singular and just an. Learn the major differences between chicago and ap style guides to assist your writing. Yeah, dlipkin, i wouldnt mind if we purged the expression from formal writing. See special expressions, but otherwise, for consistency and ease in remembering a rule. Do not use an apostrophe if it s simply a plural and not a possessive. Over the years, however, four justices informed my office they preferred to add another s following the words final sapostrophe e. You should use it to reference the numbers you have omitted when not writing out the complete year.
The ap stylebook has a few simple rules for using quotation marks in ap style stories. So it puzzles me that the ap stylebook, the most influential guide for journalists, argues that a simple apostrophe suffices after proper nouns ending in s. Ap reporters write fast, but their stylebook moves slow. Add apostrophe s if singular, and add an apostrophe if plural. We took at look at the ap stylebooks section on possessions. The general rule is that the possessive of a singular noun is formed by adding an apostrophe and s, whether the singular noun ends in s or not. Please check the style guide of whatever format youre using to make sure youre in line with their recommendations. Ap the witnesss story did not match the events recorded on tape.
Ap style is the standard for writing news release and other content for media in the united states. We took at look at the ap stylebooks section on possessions possessives and exorcised some demons coming up with these guidelines. No apostrophes, an exception to websters new world college dictionary guideline under apostrophe. Possessives of nouns ending in s grammar underground. The dog s leash the writer s desk the planet s atmosphere. If the noun is plural and ends in s, add just an apostrophe the beatles greatest hits. Chicago manual prefers the s, but indicates that it is acceptable especially in journalism to omit it. It is important to remember that, as in our last example above, there is no apostrophe between the figure 30 and the s. The oxford guide to style 2002, while differing with chicago and ap on capitalizing the spelledout decade name oup prefers this and on using abbreviations like 60s oup condemns this, it agrees with chicago that the plural numeral form should be spelled without an apostrophe before the s. For example, i had the best time of my life in my 20s. The best ap style cheat sheet every writer needs free. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. Associated press style basics journalists resource. Youll notice that the apostrophe before the number four.
The ap stylebook would have you do thomas and chris. The boat is 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and 75 feet high. The single exception is if the term being pluralized has periods in it. If the word ends with an s put the apostrophe after the s. Supplement ap stylebook onlines extensive guidance with about 185,000 descriptions from the stylebooks main dictionary, websters new world college dictionary. Apostrophe in literature is an arrangement of words addressing a nonexistent person or an abstract idea in such a way as if it were present and capable of understanding feelings. The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and science. Your style of writing can make or break your career if news release are deleted in journalists email inboxes.
Jun 15, 2009 as the ap style book writes, names not commonly before the public should not be reduced to acronyms solely to save a few words. May, 2014 if the noun is plural and ends in s, add just an apostrophe the beatles greatest hits. Ap if the word after the noun begins with an s, just use an apostrophe. See, for example, garner s modern american usage at page 624. Jun 19, 2019 if the quote is necessary, dont include sic or alter the speakers words, even if they dont follow ap style. Book style is simultaneously more complex and more consistent.
For singular proper names ending in s sounds such as x, ce, and z, use s. Language scholars have a word for the sound made by the letter s. Capitalize chapter when used with a numeral in reference to a section of a book or legal code. Im going to focus on the difference between how the associated press stylebook and the chicago manual of style handle possessives for words ending in s or. If possession is ninetenths of the law, just imagine how important correctly signifying it in your writing is. Use an apostrophe in bachelors degree, a masters, etc. Using apostrophes to show the plurals of abbreviations and awkward plurals the first thing to make clear before we start this lesson is that apostrophes are not normally used for forming plurals. Walsh becomes walshes, and malkovich becomes malkoviches. Roy peter clark settles the possessive apostrophe debate. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. Chris exam scores were higher than any other students. See, for example, garners modern american usage at page 624. Only use the apostrophe to indicate feet and quote marks to indicate inches 56.
Mcdonald s profits not mcdonald s profits so, to answer the question posed in the beginning carlos stylebook or carlos s stylebook. A good dictionary may also be able to offer you some guidance. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. Apostrophes and proper nouns grammar and punctuation.
479 1512 1561 1020 1319 1523 1332 382 1132 1025 1192 1101 780 948 614 172 30 366 1282 455 628 1008 1440 79 536 468 1112 253 1317 1356 553 1489 597 288 679 978 1273