Spelling

BHG Stylebook

Our first reference for correct spelling is merriam-webster.com, which is the continually updated online version of the print 11th edition of Merriam-Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. For a second spelling reference, use Webster’s Third New International Dictionary. (See also Welcome.)

Use the first spelling for an entry with more than one correct spelling.
whimsy (first spelling: dictionary lists whimsy or whimsey)

If you find a word noted var of (variation of), use the spelling that follows var of.
moulding var of molding. (Use molding.)

Words may be spelled differently depending on their use in a sentence (adjective, adverb, noun,
preposition, or verb). Use the correct spelling for the part of speech you intend.
closeup (adjective and noun)
close up (verb)
follow-up (adjective and noun)
follow up (verb)

Be alert to spellings of compound expressions. Forms include joined, separated, and hyphenated words.
backyard
countertop
elbow grease
elbowroom
facelift
fiberglass
good-looking
guesthouse
guest room
moisture- and
side yard
windowpane
window seat
windowsill
year-round
vaporproof

See also Problem Words and the Word List.

 

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Problem rules and words

BHG Stylebook

Some words and style rules confuse even experienced writers and editors. Here a few that frequently need explanation. For words not found here, try When Words Collide or Webster’s Eleventh New Collegiate Dictionary. For style rules not found on this site, try Words Into Type, then The Chicago Manual of Style 14th Edition.

Set words used as words in italics:
The bright print practically screams spring.
Primrose comes from the word prima, which means “the first.”

 

Problem rules and words
Easily confused words
Suffix -ed

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Positive expressions

BHG Stylebook

Favor positive expressions, especially in leads.
WRONG: The editor didn’t arrive on time for the pinup.
RIGHT: The editor was late for the pinup.
WRONG: No nails but galvanized nails should be used for the project.
RIGHT: Use only galvanized nails for the project.
WRONG: The wallpaper is not unlike that found in Colonial mansions.
RIGHT: The wallpaper is like that found in Colonial mansions.
WRONG: Don’t be afraid to read the stylebook.
RIGHT: Go ahead and read the stylebook.
WRONG: Don’t forget to check the dictionary.
RIGHT: Remember to check the dictionary.
WRONG: Nothing is more important than accuracy.
RIGHT: Most important is accuracy.

 

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Plurals

BHG Stylebook

Several rules govern the correct formation of plural nouns. For most nouns, simply add s: dogs, houses, meteors. Nouns ending in soft ch, j, ss, x, or z add es: churches, glasses, axes, buzzes. Words ending in o preceded by a vowel add s: cameos, tattoos. Words ending in o preceded by a consonant add es: heroes, potatoes. Pianos is an exception. When two plurals are listed in Webster’s Eleventh, use the first. Apply the following rules to unusual plural formations:

Unless there is likelihood of confusion, add only an s to form the plurals of numbers, acronyms, and single or multiple letters used as words.
the 1940s
YMCAs
’ 40s
ABCs
6s and 7s
TVs
2x4s
the three Rs
dos
don’ts

Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plurals of lowercase letters used as nouns.
x’s and y’s
p’s and q’s

Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plurals of capital letters that would be confusing if s alone were added.
S’s and A’s

Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plurals of abbreviations with lowercase letters.
p.m.’s

Use an apostrophe and an s to form the plurals of abbreviations with internal periods.
M.A.’s
f.o.b.’s

Use an s to form the plurals of abbreviations with no internal periods.
IQs
Btus
OKs
YMCAs

Also see “plurals” in the Abbreviations section of the BHGStylebook.

 

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Numbers: When to use words

BHG Stylebook

When to use words to represent numbers

Spell out a number or related numbers at the beginning of a sentence.
Twelve of the editors were at the convention that day.
Three-, four-, and five-night packages are available.

Spell out ages of inanimate objects less than 10 years old.
The four-year-old car needed repainting.
The plants were eight years old.

Spell out indefinite numerical expressions.
This arena will seat several thousand people.
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Spell out simple fractions and isolated simple fractions.
Flowers are grown in two-thirds of the garden.
Fry half of the eggs at a time.

Spell out numbers that are less than 10 and are not units of measure or dimensions including units of time, except in food copy. In food copy, use figures for units of time.
three-car garage
three cars
two-story home
two stories
five minutes
two hours

Exception: Bake 2 hours.

Spell out one of two consecutive numbers (unless it’s an address). Usually, in a Materials List, spell out the first number; sixteen 2-inch beads, but 262 two-inch beads (262 is too awkward to spell out).

Spell out numbers preceding a compound modifier containing a figure.
The porch was supported by eight 6-foot poles.

See also Dimensions, Measurements, and Sizes

 

Numbers
Figures to represent numbers
Words to represent numbers
Telephone numbers

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Numbers

BHG Stylebook

Readers generally find figures easier to understand than word expressions for numbers. Nevertheless, numbers should be spelled out in some instances.

For uses not covered by these listings, spell out whole numbers between zero and 10; use figures for 10
and above.
He has a fleet of five cars and 10 trucks.
seventh century
18th century
fourth floor
13th floor

SIM numbers style should be applied to all copy, even if it is quoted material.
incorrect: ”We insisted on nine-foot ceilings,” she says.
correct: “We insisted on 9-foot ceilings,” she says.
incorrect: ”I love the three-eighths-inch molding along the edge,” he says.
correct: “I love the 3/8-inch molding along the edge,” he says.

See also Dimensions, Measurements, and Sizes

 

Numbers
Figures to represent numbers
Words to represent numbers
Telephone numbers

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Hyphens: Suffixes

BHG Stylebook

Common suffixes joined to words without a hyphen:
-able
-an
-dom
-ean
-ed (see Problem Rules and Words/suffix -ed)
-en
-est
-er
-fest
-fold
-ful
-hood
-ian
-ible
-ing
-ish
-ism
-ist
-ize
-less
-ment
-ness
-ship
-some
-work
-y (added 9.17.14)

Use a hyphen with a suffix that brings together three identical consonants.
hull-less
wall-less
doll-like

 

Hyphens
Combining forms
Line-break rules
Prefixes
Suffixes

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Hyphens: Prefixes

BHG Stylebook

Common prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms (see lists below) generally are joined to words without a hyphen. Use a hyphen when adding a prefix, suffix, or combined form creates an ambiguous word (as in the case of homonyms) or a word that would make the reader hesitate.
You can re-cover the chair.
Can you recover the money?
He re-sided the house.
He resided in Des Moines.

Common prefixes joined to words without a hyphen:
anti-
de-
dis-
in-
infra-
inter-
intra-
mid- (except months)
mis-
multi-*
non-
over-
per-
post-
pre-
pro-
re-
semi-
sub-
super- (unless it means very)
supra-
trans-
ultra-
un-
under-
*except multi-ply (which could be confused with multiply)

Use a hyphen with the prefix ex-.
ex-president

Use a hyphen when the main word element is capitalized or is a figure or a word combination.
un-American
pre-Queen Anne
pre-1980

EXCEPTIONS:
transatlantic
prerevolutionary

 

Hyphens
Combining forms
Line-break rules
Prefixes
Suffixes

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