Posts in category: Uncategorized

December 8, 2005: Issue 117

Design determines whether to repeat a niche cap. If text wraps around the niche cap, don’t repeat that letter. If text wraps over the niche cap, do repeat the letter.

When a story opens with a quotation, the niche cap needs a single quotation mark. If the single quote hampers design, try rewriting the lede to avoid it; don’t just skip it.

When the word “a” begins a story with a niche cap, insert a thin space (apple-option-shift-m) at the beginning of body copy.

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December 1, 2005: Issue 116

Lowercase seasons unless they’re part of a proper name:

Look for more fabulous valance ideas in our winter issue.
Bring the rich colors of fall indoors.
These hardy bloomers are at their peak in late summer.
Our Spring Planting Guide goes on sale March 1.

While we’re on the subject of seasons, here’s a distinction that often confuses people: Seasonable means appropriate to the season. Seasonal means varying according to the season.

Beat the cold with a heavy, seasonable sweater.
Keep the neutral tablecloth, but make seasonal changes with the runner.

ON BHGStylebook.com: Find help with other easily confused words.

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November 24, 2005: Issue 115

Capitalize colonial when it refers to a specific era in U.S. history or a style associated with that era:

This New England holiday tradition dates back to Colonial times.
She appreciates Colonial furniture for its graceful, simple lines.

When you’re talking about other countries, capitalize colonial in reference to a specific style but not in generic uses:

The design was influenced by British Colonial architecture.
The motif became popular when India was under British colonial rule.

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November 17, 2005: Issue 114

To quickly and easily create a Dimension x, set up the handy shortcut that IT has created. In InDesign, pull down the Edit menu, then select Keyboard shortcuts. In the Set window, select SIM Shortcuts. Click OK.

You need to do this only once. Then, whenever you want to convert an x to a Dimension x, highlight the x and type option-F2.

The same keystrokes (option-F2) will convert smart quotes to inch and foot marks.

Got that covered?

Here’s a change in SIM style: Wallcovering is one word.

See other recent changes in SIM style.

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November 10, 2005: Issue 113

When you use common nouns (mom, baby, grandma, etc.) as proper nouns, capitalize them.

correct: This is a soft, soothing nursery where any baby will have sweet dreams.
correct: This is a soft, soothing nursery where Baby will have sweet dreams.

correct: Give your mom a delicious surprise with this Mother’s Day cake.
correct: Give Mom a delicious surprise with this Mother’s Day cake.

If you’re not sure whether to capitalize, try substituting a person’s name for the noun without changing or deleting any other words. If the name makes sense, capitalize the noun.

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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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