Posts in category: Style on the Go archive

SIM STYLE: How do I credit multiple photographers on one spread?
SIM has adopted the following style (please note punctuation and italicization):
Photographers: above, Ross Chapple; right and far right, Jay Graham; below, Jim Hedrich, Hedrich-Blessing.

For more information, see credits section in the SIM stylebook or Issue 63.

GRAMMAR: Is there a difference between e.g. and i.e.?
Yes. “E.g.” is short for the Latin exempli gratia, which means “for example.”
“I.e.” is much more specific, short for the Latin id est, meaning “that is.” Both phrases should be set off with commas.
 correct: Several Craftsman characteristics distinguish the home, e.g., clean lines and geometric patterns.
correct: One feature stands out in the foyer, i.e., the majestic Palladian window.

While these abbreviations can establish an air of authority in somewhat
technical writing, they tend to sound pretentious in conversational writing. Use them sparingly.

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December 6, 2007: Issue 216

A suffix can change a noun to an adjective. Function becomes functional, for instance. Instinct becomesinstinctive.

To take the word back to its noun form, delete the suffix. Don’t just tack another one on.

incorrect: Built-in storage packs a room with functionality.
correct: Built-in storage packs a room with function.

incorrect: Her instinctiveness told her something was wrong.
correct: Her instinct told her something was wrong.

Next week: More suffix pileups to avoid.

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February 7, 2002: Issue 9

SIM STYLE: The 411 on phone numbers
SIM style uses a slash, not parentheses, to set off area codes in phone numbers. Omit the initial 1 that signifies long-distance and toll-free numbers.
However, do include the 011, set off by a slash, to signify an international number.
incorrect: 1-800-474-5568
incorrect: (800) 474-5568
correct: 800/474-5568
correct: 011/44-870-1600-333

It’s also SIM style to use numerals, not letters, in phone numbers. Acronyms can be helpful for remembering phone numbers, but readers seeing a number in print need not rely on memory. Forcing them to search for letters on the keypad is probably more frustrating than it is helpful.
incorrect: 800/845-SILK
correct: 800/845-7455

For more information, see Telephone numbers in the Numbers section of the SIM stylebook.

GRAMMAR: A(n) obvious choice
In most cases, the choice between the articles “a” and “an” is clear. But for those words that muddy the waters, pay more attention to how the word sounds than how it is spelled in choosing the proper article. Use “a” if the word starts with a sounded h (as in history or hotel) or a long u (as in university or European). Use “an” if the word starts with a silent h (as in hour or honor) or a short u (as in uncle or umbrella).
incorrect: Tucked into an historical area
correct: Tucked into a historical area

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August 28, 2008: Issue 253

As the nation turns its attention to Denver, we turn ours to some grammatical quirks at the top of the Democratic ticket.

In his first speech as the vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden demonstrated a fondness for the word literally.To his credit, he used the word correctly. (It means actually. It’s not simply a word of emphasis.) Still, three times in one paragraph and twice in one sentence is a bit much for any adverb. By the eighth time he said it, we were paying more attention to that word than to the content of his speech.

The presidential nominee, Barack Obama, has a habit of repeating the word is unnecessarily. Some examples, all actual quotes from Obama:

• “The truth is, is that our challenge is to get people persuaded that we can make progress when theres not evidence of that in their daily lives.”
• “The fact is, is that Im mindful that weve got to keep our capital gains tax to a point where we can actually get more revenue.”
• “Part of my message is, is that both sides of the Atlantic are going to have to do some hard work.”

In all those cases, a single linking verb is enough:

• The truth is that our challenge is …
• The fact is that I’m mindful …
• Part of my message is that …

We believe in equal time here at Style on the Go. The Republicans’ turn is coming.

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April 16, 2009: Issue 285

May is a verb meaning to have permission.
present tense: May I ask a quick favor?
past tense: She said I might go with them.

Confusion arises because might is also a verbal auxiliary that expresses possibility:
I might be guilty of overexplaining this issue.

Pop culture can help you remember the distinction. Think of the kids’ game Mother, May I? and the band (or the movie, if that’s more your speed) They Might Be Giants.

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Issue 75

For the 75th issue, Style on the Go featured a quiz with questions taken from the archive. Amy Elbert took home the grand prize.

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November 9, 2006: Issue 164

“Toward” and “towards” mean the same thing, but “toward” is the preferred spelling.
acceptable: She moved steadily towards her goal weight.
preferred: She moved steadily toward her goal weight.

Other words that can do without extra letters include “amid” (not “amidst”) and among (not “amongst”).

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November 2, 2006: Issue 163

“Everyday” is one word when it’s used as an adjective:
• an everyday occurrence
• my everyday clothes

Make it two words when it functions as an adverb:
• something that happens every day
• the clothes I wear every day

Universal problems

Never, ever use a universal search and replace, even for a task as simple and repetitive as fixing page numbers. If you replace every instance of “00,” for example, think about what happens to “100 square feet” or “May 2006.” If you replace every instance of “xx,” a proper name such as Exxon can get you into trouble. Confirm every change. Yes, it takes a little extra time—but so does looking both ways before you cross the street.

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October 26, 2006: Issue 162

SIM STYLE: Has SIM style on end boxes changed?
No. Many magazines are now using special end boxes or symbols, but how and where they should be used remains the same.
• End boxes should be placed at the end of main text or after the final caption in a photo story.
• If the main text ends on a spread with a sidebar, keep the end box at the end of main text.
• If main text ends and a sidebar follows on the next spread, omit the end box for that story.
• Regardless of the symbol used, end boxes are preceded by a fixed space (cmd-opt-shift-space).

2006 UPDATE: The end bug rule has changed. An end bug should be placed in the most logical spot to indicate the end of a story, whether that’s after a caption, sidebar, or main text.

GRAMMAR: Into the fire
“In” and “into” (as well as “on” and “onto”) are not interchangeable. “In” and “on” denote a stationary position or location. “Into” and “onto” denote motion.
incorrect: Dip the brush in green paint.
correct: Dip the brush into green paint.
correct: Once the dog ran into the house, the couple enjoyed dinner on the patio.

Keep in mind, however, that just because “in” (or “on”) and “to” come together in a sentence doesn’t mean they should be combined into one word. Idioms ending with “in” or “on” should be preserved.
incorrect: The designer moved onto the next project.
correct: The designer moved on to the next project. (The idiom is “move on.”)
incorrect: The guests will go into dinner at 6.
correct: The guests will go in to dinner at 6. (The idiom is “go in.”)

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