Breath vs. Breathe
Breathe is a verb. For example: After her new asthma medications, she could breathe easier. Breath is a noun. For example: Whenever he was stressed out, he took a deep breath.
Guidance on capitalizing New Year
As you prepare your content to welcome your audiences to the new year, it's a good time to brush up on capitalization rules. Here's the general rule: Capitalize "New Year" when referring to the holiday, but not when referring to the concept of a new year in general. That means: Yes, capitalize "New Year" in [...]
M.D. or MD?
Is it M.D. or MD? AP Style recommends using periods with academic degrees (e.g., M.D.). However, at AVC, we prefer the cleaner look of no periods (MD). Whatever style you choose, the key is to stick with it across your content for consistency.
Percent: Embrace the Symbol
The Associated Press Stylebook now uses the % symbol when paired with a number (no space). This was a change for AP in 2019. Examples: The project was completed 75% faster. Her grade improved by 4.5%. At AVC, we prefer the symbol over the word for efficiency and clarity. Bonus tip: For amounts less than [...]
Sequential Designations
We frequently see style questions about sequential designations — numerals vs. spelling out and capitalization rules. For example: Phase 1, which includes a new nurses’ station and renovations to operating rooms in the east wing, will be completed in 2028. We’ve been ensuring customer satisfaction since Day 1. So, should you use numerals or spell [...]
Set up, setup and set-up
Setup is a noun and adjective and set up is a verb. For example: He was set up by the mob. Her home entertainment center setup looked expensive. Do not use set-up.
Capital vs. Capitol
Capital means uppercase letters, money/wealth or the city that serves as the seat of a country's or state's government. A capitol is the building where the legislative branch (Congress) convenes. Capitalize U.S. Capitol. Also, capitalize the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington, D.C.: Senators gathered at the Capitol. Do the same for state [...]
How to Write Academic Degrees
Graduation season is upon us, which means you may be called upon to write about academic degrees more than usual. Not sure how to properly write about degrees? Here’s a refresher on Associated Press style. Possessives in academic degrees Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree and a master’s. But it’s an associate degree (no possessive). [...]
Disk vs. Disc
Spelling differences like disk and disc can be frustrating. They make us writers ask: Why!?!? In this case, the etymology takes us back to a word that refers to something flat and round. In Latin, the word was discus (for quoit, disk, dish). Meanwhile, the Greeks spelled it diskos (coming from the verb dikein, meaning [...]
Dietitian or Dietician
You've seen both dietician and dietitian. So, which is correct? In the U.S., dietitian is the preferred spelling, with dictionaries typically including dietician as an accepted variant. The AP Stylebook echoes the dictionary, and those in the profession opt for dietitian as well. In the U.K., however, dietician typically shows up in dictionaries as the [...]