Posts in category: Style on the Go archive

October 20, 2005: Issue 110

It’s “OK.” No periods, and not spelled out (okay). While it’s fine as an adjective or a noun, note that “OK” can be awkward as a verb when you try to add an -ed or an -ing.

acceptable: After she OK’d the plans, the crew went to work.
preferred: After she approved the plans, the crew went to work.

As an introductory particle tacked on to the beginning of a sentence, “OK” is meaningless and usually dispensable.

acceptable: OK, so you’ve decided to paint.
preferred: So you’ve decided to paint.

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October 13, 2005: Issue 109

There is such a thing as too much editing.

While tighter writing is generally cleaner, sometimes words or phrases that look dispensable at first glance are necessary for clarity.

Take the word “own,” for instance: It’s often unneeded. “Her home” reads just as well as “her own home” in most cases. But there are exceptions, especially when the word is used as a pronoun. Consider the difference in these two sentences:

These two architects longed to build a home.
These two architects longed to build a home of their own.

A similar case is “or not,” as in “whether or not.” The “or not” is superfluous in uses such as “Determine whether or not your project requires a permit.” But sometimes deleting those words leaves a sentence that makes little sense. Try it with this one, for instance: “You’ll probably need two coats, whether or not the package directions say so.”

We urge everyone—copy editors and editors alike—to think about how they might be changing sense before they hit the delete key.

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October 6, 2005: Issue 108

Always capitalize proper nouns, as well as the first word in a sentence. That means capitalize the first letter in a business name, even if the business uses a lowercase letter in its logos and promotional materials. The exception to this rule is a business name such as eBay, where a logical internal letter is capitalized instead of the first letter. And even eBay gets a capital e when it starts a sentence. (If you have questions, consult a copy editor. And if youre interested, see me for a copy of editor and author Bill Walshs diatribe on this subject.)

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September 8, 2005: Issue 104

Always keep items in a list parallel, whether they’re in a series of bullets or in a compound noun or verb phrase. That means each item should be the same part or parts of speech—all prepositional phrases, all adjectives, etc.

incorrect: The couple had three goals for their new kitchen: to move around more easily, getting more light, and better storage.
correct: The couple had three goals for their new kitchen: easier mobility, more light, and better storage.

incorrect: Pauline offers these tips for dividing an open, loftlike space:
• Lay rugs to establish borders.
• Set up folding screens.
• Wall color can help delineate areas, too.
correct: Pauline offers these tips for dividing an open, loftlike space:
• Lay rugs to establish borders.
• Set up folding screens.
• Change wall colors.

incorrect: By the end of the project the bathroom was bigger, airier, and had been organized much better.
correct: By the end of the project the bathroom was bigger, airier, and better organized.

If you’re having trouble making items parallel, break up the series.

incorrect: By the end of the project the bathroom was bigger, airier, and had been organized much better.
correct: By the end of the project the bathroom was bigger and airier, and it had been organized much better.

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August 25, 2005: Issue 102

The collective noun couple causes all kinds of agreement trouble. We’ll accept it as singular or plural, but we’ll insist on consistency. That is, if you use couple with a plural verb, all associated pronouns must also be plural. If you use a singular verb, all pronouns must follow suit.

incorrect: The couple treats their pets like family. (singular verb treats, plural pronoun their)
correct: The couple treat their pets like family.
incorrect: Once the couple was persuaded to rip up the carpet, they found beautiful hardwood underneath. (singular verb was, plural                      pronoun they)
correct: Once the couple were persuaded to rip up the carpet, they found beautiful hardwood underneath.

If you’re unsure, or if making complete agreement seems awkward, you can always switch to the couple’s names.

correct: Brad and Angelina treat their pets like family.
correct: Once Will and Jada were persuaded to rip up the carpet, they found beautiful hardwood underneath.

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August 18, 2005: Issue 101

Don’t use complete phone numbers on chalkboards, bulletin boards, or message boards in photographs. Blur, erase, or obstruct part of the number (we suggest at least two digits). Leaving off the area code isn’t enough; that number could be functional in multiple area codes.

Also, make sure words on those boards are spelled properly: No “banannas” on the grocery list, please. Your copy editors are always happy to spot-check any text that will appear in a photograph before the shoot, even if it’s just three words scrawled on a note card.

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August 4, 2005: Issue 99

When a husband and wife share a last name, don’t repeat the last name for the second person you mention.

incorrect: “It was perfect,” homeowner Janet Burns says. She and her husband, Perry Burns, fell head over heels for the bungalow.
correct: “It was perfect,” homeowner Janet Burns says. She and her husband, Perry, fell head over heels for the bungalow.
correct: “It was perfect,” homeowner Janet Burns says. She and her husband, Perry Keller, fell head over heels for the bungalow.

Don’t use last names at all for children.

ON SIMSTYLEBOOK.COM: Find more information about handling names.

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July 28, 2005: Issue 98

Italicize parentheses when the type inside them is entirely italic. If the type inside is roman or a mix of italic and roman, make the parentheses roman. (Opening and closing parentheses should always be the same type style.) This new style rule applies to all parentheses, including those around plant names.

italic: Pink phlox and purple obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) contrast with yellow and white snapdragons.
roman: The two found inexpensive accessories at their favorite secondhand shops (where they scored the oversize shoe chair).
roman: Don’t forget about dogwood (Cornus spp.), fragrant and staghorn sumac (Rhus aromatica and R. typhina), and fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii and F. major).

ON BHGSTYLEBOOK.COM: For more information on how to treat plant names in text, see Plant Names Style.

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July 21, 2005: Issue 97

In general, the term Asian is preferred over Oriental, which Web 11 says is “sometimes offensive.” The exceptions are fixed expressions, such as Oriental rug or Oriental poppy. When possible, avoid the issue by being more specific about a country or region of origin or influence.

incorrect: an Oriental-style screen
acceptable: an Asian-style screen
preferred: a Japanese-style screen

ON BHGSTYLEBOOK.COM: The index on SIMStylebook.com is under construction. If you’re looking for a stylebook entry, please go to the Table of Contents by clicking on the “Word List & Stylebook” tab. And watch for updates on the index and the Google site search.

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July 7, 2005: Issue 96

The area of France is Provence (no cedilla—that’s the little mark under the c). Things that come from or pertain to that area are Provençal (now you use the cedilla). The difference has to do with French pronunciation rules.

And don’t confuse Provençal with provincial. The latter means simple or informal.

IN THE STYLEBOOK: For more information on handling foreign words—including how to make the cedilla and other diacritical marks—see the Foreign Words section.

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