Dates

Even though we see this all the time, especially in advertisements, the following is INCORRECT: May 9th

It should always be "May 9," even though we generally pronounce it "ninth."

Clock Time

The following rules apply:

8 p.m. (not 8:00 p.m.)
4 o´clock in the morning (or 4 a.m.) but NOT 4 o´clock a.m.
9:00 in the morning (not 9 in the morning)

Acronyms

The following acronyms are appropriate for use on all occasions. It is not necessary to spell out on first reference.

CARE (Cooperative for American Relief to Everywhere)
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
ZIP (Code) (Zone Improvement Plan)
PIN (personal identification number)
ATM (automated teller machine)
SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving)
NASDAQ (National Association of Security Dealers Automated Quotations)
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
ESOP (employee stock ownership plan)

Replacing Traditional Masculine Bias

Generic: Replacement:
layman layperson
businessman business owner, business people
congressman member of Congress, representative
mankind people, humanity, the human race, human beings, humans
man-hours worker-hours
manpower work force, human resources, staff
salesman salesperson, sales representative, sales staff, sales force
foreman supervisor
policeman police officer
mailman mail carrier
workmen workers

Abbreviations

Academic Degrees: Use periods but no spaces (M.D.)

All-Caps abbr.: Generally require no periods (NCAA, NAACP, NASA)

Geographic: Usually require periods but no spaces (U.S.A., U.S.S.R, K.C., L.A.)

Telephone Numbers

Insert a hyphen after the first three digits.
303-5413

When using the area code, use a hyphen (with no space on either side) between the two elements.
512-605-5454

The "1-" does not always need to be included.
Ex: Please call me at 1-800-545-5474.
But: My number is 800-545-7547.
("1-" is not part of the number; it´s just something you have to dial.)

Adjacent Numbers

When two numbers come together and both are in figures or both are in words, separate them with a comma.

In 2001, 35 of us will graduate.
Although we started with fifty, fifteen dropped out.
On May 6, 24 cars will be auctioned.

Showing Numbers in Manuscripts

Numbers from one to ten are usually spelled out. Numbers higher than ten can be represented as numerals.

Word Division

Don´t set off a one-letter syllable at the beginning or end of a word.

amaze (not a-maze)
lucky (not lucky-y)

Word Division

Divide words only between syllables. If you´re unsure of the syllabication of a word, look it up in the dictionary.