Posts in category: Style on the Go archive

June 12, 2003: Issue 61

SIM STYLE: Them’s the breaks
For all its bells and whistles, sometimes Quark just can’t break a word correctly at the end of a line. It may insert a hyphen in the wrong place, or it may wrap the entire word to the next line and create awkward spacing. But no worries: You just insert a hyphen and go about your editing. Problem solved, right?

Think again. Hyphenating a word manually can often create more trouble than it’s worth because the word retains that hyphen regardless of what happens elsewhere in the paragraph. That means if a subsequent change earlier in the paragraph causes lines to rewrap, you’re likely to end up with a hyphenated word in the middle of a line—a far more glaring error than you started out with.

Instead, use a discretionary hyphen, which will either keep a word from breaking or force it to break in the spot you specify. To keep a word from breaking at all, place the cursor before the word and type command-hyphen.

To force a word to break, place the cursor at the desired point and type command-hyphen. If subsequent changes earlier in the paragraph allow the word to fit on one line, the hyphen will automatically go away.

Note: Remember that it’s also SIM style to never hyphenate ragged-right copy. You can set up a style sheet in Quark to turn off hyphenation; if you’re not sure how, drop me a note.

For more information, see Computer Commands and Hyphens in the SIM Stylebook or Issue 28.

GRAMMAR: I recently saw “Draw In” capitalized in a headline.
Isn’t “in” a preposition, and therefore not capitalized? It’s true that according to SIM style, prepositions of four letters or fewer are not capitalized in headlines. But in this case, “in” is not a preposition; it’s part of the verb “draw in.” How do you know? It’s listed this way in Web 11. The word “in” can be a preposition, but it can also be a noun (“ins and outs”), adjective (“the in crowd”), or adverb (“draw in”). The same is true for many other prepositions, evidenced by verbs such as “hold on” and “hone in.” Many of these verbs will be listed in Web 11, so when in doubt, look it up.

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April 24, 2003: Issue 57

SIM STYLE: If a caption is overprinted on a photo, does it still need a directional?
The answer depends on whether that caption is grouped with others.
• If a single caption is overprinted on a photo, it does not need a directional.
• If two or more captions are grouped and overprinted on a photo, each caption needs a directional.

The appropriate directional for the overprinted photo is “this photo.”

GRAMMAR: Should there be one space or two between sentences?
One. Only the most formal writing nowadays separates sentences with two spaces. The old two-space rule stems from a time when monospace fonts (where every character takes up the same amount of space) were in wide use, but it’s not applicable in modern publishing.

Tip: Most of us already know this, of course, but some newer writers do not. Pass it along, and save yourself and the CEs the hassle of stripping out extra spaces.

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April 17, 2003: issue 56

SIM STYLE: Word List Spotlight: D
Do you know SIM style on these 10 common terms?
• daybed (one word)
• deadheading (one word)
• design-build firm For more information, see Issue 45.
• designer-builder
• DIYer (OK on second reference)
• double duty (noun); double-duty (adj.)
• double take (two words)
• douppioni silk (note spelling)
• draperies (not “drapes”)
• dryer (appliance)

GRAMMAR: What’s wrong with saying something is “most unique”?
“Unique” means “one-of-a-kind.” Something is either unique or it isn’t. When we see the phrase “most unique,” the writer usually means something akin to “most unusual.”
incorrect: The designer says the table is the most unique she has ever seen.
correct: The designer says the table is the most unusual she has ever seen.
correct: The designer says the table is unique. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” she says.

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April 3, 2003: Issue 55

SIM STYLE: Stand-alone cities
We recently updated the CITIES section of the SIM Stylebook, based on current usage. Some cities were removed from the list, meaning they should usually be followed with the appropriate state designation. Others were added, meaning that in most cases the city name itself is sufficiently clear. Here’s a breakdown of what changed.

CITIES ADDED TO STAND-ALONE LIST: 
• Austin
• Baton Rouge
• Beverly Hills
• Boulder
• Fort Worth
• Key West
• Little Rock
• St. Petersburg
• Sacramento
• Santa Barbara

CITIES REMOVED FROM STAND-ALONE LIST:
• Akron
• Atlantic City
• Dayton
• Duluth
• Jersey City
• Providence
• Richmond
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Toledo
• Wichita
• Kuwait City
• Panama City

See the complete list of stand-alone cities.

GRAMMAR: Doesn’t “couple” always get an “of” after it?
No, not always. When the word “couple” quantifies another modifier, drop the “of.”
incorrect: The rug was a bargain at a couple of hundred bucks.
correct: The rug was a bargain at a couple hundred bucks.

Grammatically, were the “of” being used, it would belong after the second modifier, anyway—in this case, “couple hundred of bucks.” But the idiom has evolved without it, and “couple” is perfectly fine on its own in this usage.

Note: In some uses, “couple” serves to define a single amount, not individual units, and most often shows up in conversation without the “of.” In other words, “a couple minutes” refers to one period of time, not individual minutes; “a couple bucks” refers to one amount of money, not individual dollars. While most of us would drop the “of” in speech without giving it a second thought, doing so in writing can be jarring. Most readers have learned to expect to see it. In this usage, including “of” is not grammatically incorrect, so if it improves sentence flow, leave it in.

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March 13, 2003: Issue 52

SIM STYLE: It’s OK to get a little possessive.
In our business discussions around the office, we have a tendency to use homeowner names as adjectives.
• the Hornback house
• the Mullins family room

There’s nothing wrong with this, but when it seeps into copy, it can sound impersonal. Most people don’t talk that way in casual conversation; they assign ownership by making a name possessive. In general, we should do the same in print.
• the Hornbacks’ house
• the Mullinses’ family room.

Along the same lines, we sometimes make nouns possessive when we don’t need to. Inanimate common nouns usually need not be possessive.
• the bathroom floor (not the bathroom’s floor)
• the island countertop (not the island’s countertop)

For more information, see Possessives section in the SIM Stylebook.

GRAMMAR: Clauses, and their effect
We recently addressed the basics of phrases, which you’ll remember are groups of related words that lack both a subject and a predicate. On the agenda this time: clauses, the other main building blocks of all sentences. A clause is a group of words that does contain a subject and a predicate. Let’s look at the two main types.

An independent clause can (but doesn’t always) stand alone as a complete sentence.
• THE COUPLE REMODELED THE LIVING ROOM.
• After the flood, THE COUPLE REMODELED THE LIVING ROOM.

A dependent (or subordinate) clause contains a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own. Dependent clauses serve three functions in sentences: as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. It’s not as confusing as it sounds.

Check out these examples.
• The couple, WHO HAD GROWN TIRED OF THE SPACE ANYWAY, remodeled the living room. (The dependent adjective clause modifies the noun “couple.”)
• AFTER THE FLOOD SWEPT THROUGH THE HOUSE, the couple
remodeled the living room. (The dependent adverb clause modifies the verb by telling “when.”)
• THAT THE LIVING ROOM WOULD BE REMODELED was a given. (The dependent clause serves as a noun; the pronoun “it” could be substituted for the entire clause.)

For more information see Issue 49.

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February 6, 2003: Issue 49

SIM STYLE: Word List Spotlight: C
Do you know SIM style on these 10 commonly misused words?
• cabinetmaker (one word)
• cast off (v), cast-off (adj), castoff (n)
• catchall (one word)
• ceramic disk (not disc)
• chaise longue (not lounge) For more information see Issue 6.
• chiminea (note spelling)
• cleanup (n, adj), clean up (v)
• Colonial (capitalize)
• counter space (two words)
• crisscross (one word)

GRAMMAR: This may be basic, but what’s the difference between a phrase and a clause?
Understanding phrases and clauses is, in fact, one of the basic points of English grammar. But it often is a confusing one. Authors Lauren Kessler and Duncan McDonald suggest thinking of phrases and clauses as the building blocks of all sentences.

A phrase is a group of related words that lacks both a subject and a predicate, whereas a clause does contain a subject and a predicate. Recognizing the different types of phrases and clauses will not only help you avoid common language mishaps (such as sentence fragments and misplaced modifiers), it will help you add variety and better flow to your writing.

This week, we’ll take a closer look at the two basic types of phrases. Next time, we’ll delve deeper into clauses. A prepositional phrase (a preposition followed by its object) is easy to identify.
• Guests always gather IN THE KITCHEN.
• They use the dining area only FOR FORMAL DINNERS.
A verbal phrase can be trickier. It contains a form of a verb (a gerund, infinitive, or participle) that’s not really functioning as a verb, along with an object or other related material. A verbal phrase generally acts as a noun, adverb, or adjective within a sentence.
• KEEPING THE PROJECT ON BUDGET was the designer’s top goal. (The gerund phrase acts as a noun, the subject of the sentence.)
• TO SAVE MONEY, she incorporated flea-market finds. (The infinitive phrase acts as an adverb modifying “incorporated.”)
• ENAMORED WITH THE RESULTS, the homeowners hired her again. (The participial phrase acts as an adjective modifying “homeowners.”)

For more information see Issue 52.

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January 9, 2003: Issue 46

SIM STYLE: If I’ve given an individual’s full name in main text, must I repeat it in sidebars and captions?
Yes, on each first reference. Captions may be treated as a group: The first caption that mentions a person should fully identify him or her; subsequent captions may use first or last name only, as appropriate. Sidebars and text boxes should be treated individually: The first reference in each sidebar or text box should be a person’s full name; subsequent references within the same sidebar or text box may use first or last name only, as appropriate.

Note: Readers should not be left to assume that a married couple share the same last name, even when that is the case. If the spouses are introduced separately, each first reference should be by full name. For instance, if one caption refers to homeowner Jane Smith, a later caption should not refer simply to “Jane’s husband, John,” but rather, “Jane’s husband, John Smith.”

GRAMMAR: Is it “anytime” or “any time”?
Whether it’s one word or two depends on the context. “Anytime” is an adverb meaning “whenever.” When “any time” is two words, “time” is a noun modified by the adjective “any.”
correct: Will the designer have any time to meet with her today?
correct: Sure, tell her to stop by anytime this afternoon.

The same logic holds for “anymore” and “any more,” as well as “anyway” and “any way.”
correct: Do you have any more carpet samples?
correct: No, we don’t carry that line anymore.
correct: Is there any way I could find some?
correct: I think they’ve all been discarded, but you could check that bin anyway.

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December 5, 2002: Issue 45

SIM STYLE: How do I credit a professional who was both the designer and the builder of a project?
SIM style for an individual is “designer-builder.” For a firm, it’s “design-build firm.”
correct: The couple called designer-builder Chris Nguyen to turn their vision into reality.
correct: The homeowners lowered costs by working with a design-build firm.

For more information, see Issue 56.

BONUS! MORE SIM STYLE: Could we please just wrap the box and stash it for a while?
Lately, not only have we repeatedly thought “outside the box,” we’ve also decorated, painted, remodeled, and gardened there. Sure, sometimes we get punchy with “inside the box” or some other variation on the phrase, but all this attention has made “thinking outside the box” a top contender for cliché of the year. That’s not to say we should never use it, but think twice before you do. Is it an easy pun, or does it truly speak to the point of the story? In most cases, there will be a better option.

GRAMMAR: What’s the difference between “proved” and “proven”?
“Proved” is the participle; use “proven” only as an adjective.
 correct: Designer Bobby Trendy has proved himself to be an eccentric personality.
correct: His proven design skills caught Anna Nicole’s eye.

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October 24, 2002: Issue 41

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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October 17, 2002: Issue 40

SIM STYLE: How do I handle attribution on pull quotes?
All direct quotes used as pullouts must be attributed. All attributions should be treated the same way throughout an issue. If the attribution is grammatically separate from the quote, a full identification (including professional title or homeowner status) must follow the first usage in a pull quote. On subsequent references, the same speaker may be identified by full name only.
correct first reference:
“The old beams give the new space a sense of history.”
—kitchen designer Susan Serra
correct second reference:
“We wanted to honor the home’s past.”
—Susan Serra

If attribution is grammatically part of the quote, the speaker must be identified fully in the first usage and may be identified by only a first or last name, as appropriate, on subsequent references.
correct first reference:
“Old beams give the new space a sense of history,” kitchen designer Susan Serra says.
correct second reference:
“Fine details create new interest with an old-world charm,” Serra says.

A direct quote should never be used as a pullout without attribution. If you cannot include attribution for design reasons, paraphrase the quote into third person.

GRAMMAR: Feliz Navidad
It’s one of the most common grammar errors of the holiday season (read the Sunday circulars as Christmas approaches; you’ll see): The traditional Mexican Christmas lantern—a candle set inside a paper bag partially filled with sand—is a luminaria, not a luminary. The plural is luminarias, not luminaries. Luminaries are, of course, particularly bright people who never misspell luminaria.

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