AP Style and Textbroker
by Keira, Textbroker Editor
While AP Style is largely sound, there are a few rules that are quite subjective. Here are a few clarifications from Textbroker for where we stand on these issues.
Introductory Clauses
AP Style states:
A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause: When he had tired of the mad pace of New York, he moved to Dubuque.
The comma may be omitted after short introductory phrases if no ambiguity would result: During the night he heard many noises.
Textbroker's ruling:
Always use a comma with an introductory clause. It's never wrong to do so, and half of the AP ruling is subjective. What determines short? Is it three words or four? What determines ambiguous? What is clear to you may not be clear to another. If we see introductory clauses without commas, there is a good chance that you will be rated down.
Coordinating Conjunctions
AP Style states:
When a conjunction such as and, but or for links two clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences, use a comma before the conjunction in most cases: She was glad she had looked, for a man was approaching the house.
As a rule of thumb, use a comma if the subject of each clause is expressly stated: We are visiting Washington, and we also plan a side trip to Williamsburg. We visited Washington, and our senator greeted us personally. But no comma when the subject of the two clauses is the same and is not repeated in the second: We are visiting Washington and plan to see the White House.
The comma may be dropped if two clauses with expressly stated subjects are short.
Textbroker's ruling:
To begin with, it is important to know why you use a comma when the subject is expressly stated and why you don't when it's not. If the subject is expressly stated each time, you have two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.
I prefer a shotgun when it comes to killing zombies, but I see the utility of a frying pan.
In this instance, these are each complete sentences with a subject and a predicate.
If your subject is only stated once, then what you have is a compound predicate. It is incorrect to split a compound predicate.
I grabbed a molotov cocktail and loaded my magnum for another incoming attack.
Here, we have one subject being modified by two verbs: grabbed and loaded. Even though the word and is used, there is no reason to separate the two parts with a comma.
If you have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, always use a comma. Again, AP Style's ruling is subjective; there is no universal rule that determines how long a clause must be before it requires a comma. There is, however, a rule that independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction must use a comma.
Your rating may drop if you do not use commas with coordinating conjunctions.
Titles
AP Style says to use quotes. Textbroker appreciates you using quotes, but we will not mark down for other stylistic methods. Just make sure that your titles are all consistently labeled as such.
Serial Comma
AP Style states:
Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. He would nominate Tom, Dick or Harry.
Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.
Use a comma also before the concluding conjunction in a complex series of phrases: The main points to consider are whether the athletes are skillful enough to compete, whether they have the stamina to endure the training, and whether they have the proper mental attitude.
Textbroker's ruling:
We do not mark down for using the serial comma; we may, however, point out that AP Style does not always advocate its usage.
Pound (£)
AP Style states:
The English pound sign is not used. Convert the figures to dollars in most cases. Use a figure and spell out pounds if the actual figure is relevant.
Textbroker's ruling:
Use the pound sign. There's nothing wrong with writing for a UK client and using the appropriate currency.
Social Media:
Although it's indicated in AP Style that Internet slang may be acceptable, we do not find its usage acceptable at Textbroker unless it is requested by the client. Also, please capitalize names like Facebook, iPhone and eBay accordingly. Textbroker's keyword checker does not differentiate between capital and lower-case letters, so unless the client states otherwise, you can capitalize brand names appropriately. In cases where you aren't sure, always follow the client's instructions.
Quotation Marks:
Do not use quotation marks for anything other than titles, quoted material or definitions.
If you have any questions about odd rulings in AP Style, please contact us via the contact link at the top of our site.
posted on 06/20/2011 - 07.52 | textbroker blog | comments: 41
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Great post! Thank you for the clarification. I would love to see a post on writing for British English and Australian clients. I usually avoid clients requesting British or Australian spellings.
I use both Word and OpenOffice. In the past, when I have set the dictionaries to an alternative language and used the corresponding spellchecker, the clients have requested revisions and pointed out words that were still spelled in American English.
How can I change the settings in these programs to accurately spell check for British or Australian English? Is there a spellchecker website you could recommend for the job?added by: author MandyMarj on 06/21/2011 - 09.47
Can you specify the referenced rule regarding compound clauses? In the case of two independent clauses where the second clause indicates exception or contradiction, wouldn't the use of a semi-colon and comma after the conjunction be more appropriate?
Example: I prefer a shotgun when it comes to killing zombies; but, I see the utility of a frying pan.added by: author A-002613 on 06/21/2011 - 10.30
I've nearly ended friendships over one of these. As Lynne Trust (Eats, Sh*ts and Leaves) puts it:
"There are people who embrace the Oxford comma, and people who don't, and I'll just say this: never get between these people when drink has been taken."
As long as we're talking about odd AP rulings here, we're all in agreement that capitalizing the word 'internet' is crazy right? It's like capitalizing 'outside,' where the pizza delivery guy lives.added by: author claritynow on 06/21/2011 - 11.29
I need a bit of clarification. Are we to use a comma after a single prepositional phrase such as "During the night" when it is used as an introductory phrase? I understand that all introductory clauses should be followed by a comma.added by: author K112728 on 06/21/2011 - 12.05
@Hadding: Generally, your best bet is to drop the comma. However, if you think that omitting the comma impacts the clarity of your sentence, go ahead and use the comma. We won't mark you down either way.
@MandyMarj: There are many differences between UK/Commonwealth English and American English. Subject/verb agreement is often different, and the vocabulary and preposition usage can be tricky as well. Usually, setting your word processor's language to UK English helps, but some word processors will randomly swap back to American English without informing you. I'd love to be able to recommend a program for you, but there's nothing that beats human knowledge. One thing you can do is avoid using slang or idiomatic language. These words and phrases are rooted in culture, and they often sound forced if slung about through your writing. Just try and write a polished piece of writing, and let the client help you with the rest.
@A-002613: Never use a coordinating conjunction with a semicolon. When you join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, you need to use a comma. You can do a Google search for "FANBOYS" or "coordinating conjunctions" for more information.
@claritynow: Because "Internet" is a proper noun, it needs to be capitalized. AP Style still uses "Web" as well, but they've swapped over to "website" instead of "Web site." We won't mark you down for using "internet," but we will point it out. Since AP Style bases most of its rulings on the dictionary, "Internet" may wind up getting the boot in the future anyway.
@K112728: Always use a comma with an introductory clause. It isn't wrong, and it ensures that your meaning is clear.added by: Textbroker on 06/21/2011 - 04.44
Thanks so much for posting this! I write for several different companies and clients, and AP Style means something different to all of them. I appreciate the clarification, and I'll keep this post in mind as I write my articles.added by: author MissyMiss on 06/22/2011 - 11.00
You said: "There are many differences between UK/Commonwealth English and American English. Subject/verb agreement is often different" I would like more information about this particular aspect of cross-continental English usage. I am in a unique situation having been born and raised in the UK but having completed my education in the USA. I have a brain wired both ways...
But I would love to see some examples of subject/verb agreement being different...added by: author A-026306 on 06/22/2011 - 11.11
This is great! Thank you!
However, I am a little confused over the first point:
Textbroker's ruling:
Always use a comma with an introductory clause. It's never wrong to do so, and half of the AP ruling is subjective. What determines short? Is it three words or four? What determines ambiguous? What is clear to you may not be clear to another. If we see introductory clauses without commas, there is a good chance that you will be rated down.
Your answer addresses clauses (which contain a subject and a verb) but what about phrases (which are just a collection of words)? Should we always use commas after an introductory phrase as well?
THANKS!! This is super helpful.added by: author elaffint on 06/22/2011 - 11.34
Does that rule hold for an introductory phrase as well? How long or short must it be to require a comma?
added by: author Maudie on 06/22/2011 - 12.55
If there is a discrepancy between AP style and Textbroker policy, which style determines the correct answers on the proofreading test? Does it adhere strictly to AP style?added by: author bethparker on 06/22/2011 - 02.02
I know when I studied writing in England, I had to change a great deal of what I had learned as correct here in the States. There are differences between prepositions and verb tenses as well. Take the American, "I'll catch up with you later." The British would say, "I'll catch you up later," which sounds like I'm the one getting brought up to speed. Don't even get me started on things like, "I'm sat here eating soup." =) I've also added you to our list of UK authors, so thanks for letting us know!
@elaffint: Always use a comma with an introductory phrase or clause.
@Maudie: See above.
@bethparker: If you have a question about the proofreading test, please send us an email for clarification. Include the specific question when you do.added by: Textbroker on 06/22/2011 - 05.14
"Take the American, "I'll catch up with you later." The British would say, "I'll catch you up later."
This is wrong on all occasions. In Britain "I'll catch you up later" indicates that you would bring the person in question up to speed on something. The British would use the first version without exception. I lived in Britain for my first forty two years.
added by: author stevej on 06/23/2011 - 08.31
I'm sure you're right, but the point I was trying to make to authors is that there are differences that changing the spell-checker's language will not account for. Thanks for letting us know you lived in Britain. I'll add you to our list of writers.added by: Textbroker on 06/23/2011 - 02.52
Great post! Very helpful! Please keep them coming! Thank you.added by: author A-037311 on 06/23/2011 - 05.05
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The Textbroker Style Guide
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Thank you for launching this. I hope you can set it up in a nav tab of its own and continue to flesh it out over time. Perhaps you would consider including a contact screen that your writers could use to get your opinion on a particular point, and then you could publish your decision in the proper place in The Textbroker Style Guide for everyone to see, so that it's always a living, breathing thing.
This would greatly reduce the anxiety level of your writers, who only want to do what you want.
As to your comment re semicolons:
"@A-002613: Never use a coordinating conjunction with a semicolon. When you join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, you need to use a comma. You can do a Google search for "FANBOYS" or "coordinating conjunctions" for more information."
If I'm punctuating a sentence with two independent clauses, and if the second independent clause requires commas, then I would definitely use a semicolon:
"The board of directors originally intended to study all the designs for the new building; but, to save time, they decided to go with the Megatrellian design, which they unanimously agreed was just what they wanted."
"I could, of course, break that up into two sentences; but, if you always choose the two-sentences-where-one-will-do solution, then your writing begins to feel like a Channel crossing: choppy."
However, if the statement below is now officially part of The Text Broker Style Guide, I shall comply:
"Never use a coordinating conjunction with a semicolon."
:-)
added by: author Bookmarked on 06/23/2011 - 05.59
With your examples, I would still use commas.
"The board of directors originally intended to study all the designs for the new building, but to save time, they decided to go with the Megatrellian design, which they unanimously agreed was just what they wanted."
"I could, of course, break that up into two sentences, but if you always choose the two-sentences-where-one-will-do solution, then your writing begins to feel like a Channel crossing: choppy."
Use semicolons when you're writing a complex list to avoid ambiguity. Otherwise, semicolons should only be used to link complete and related sentences. No coordinating conjunctions need apply. =)added by: Textbroker on 06/23/2011 - 07.07
Thanks for clarifying. This answered a few questions I had about commas. I tried looking them up, but must not have used the right search terms.
When I'm not sure what punctuation to use, I reword the sentence. I try to find the AP rule for future reference, but I don't want to take chances on TB.added by: author Cari on 06/23/2011 - 08.42
Oh wow -- I don't always use them for short introductory clauses, per AP style, and I wasn't aware that I was potentially getting marked down for them. It ruffles my feathers, mind you ... I'm a comma girl, with my serial commas always at the ready. But I'm ready to add my little curvy drops of happiness back to my introductory clauses again!!!
Yes, I'm strange. I'll admit it. Besides, my caffeine hasn't quite hit my system yet.added by: author A. Asa on 06/24/2011 - 06.41
HOOORAAYY!! Thanks so much for posting this!! Ohh, but I do love me some serial comma! *_* I've been trying to omit the poor little guy, but I've grown too attached.
All right, now I have a question about quotations. According to the AP Stylebook, "A word or words being introduced to readers may be placed in quotation marks on first reference: 'Broadcast frequencies are measured in “kilohertz.”' Do not put subsequent references to kilohertz in quotation marks." I did this in an article recently where I introduced an unfamiliar term to the readers. Will I get marked down for this, or was my usage of quotation marks acceptable?added by: author EditingMom on 06/24/2011 - 03.51
@A. Asa: Your commas missed you. They wrote us every day.
@EditingMom: We won't mark you down for it, but we don't see any compelling reason to use quotation marks in the above example. This is a bit of a judgment call on your part, but it isn't going to impact your rating.added by: Textbroker on 06/24/2011 - 04.32
I think we are all way too hung up on commas. Period. (ha ha..."period"...see how I worked a joke in there?)added by: author Jesse on 06/24/2011 - 07.40
Great post. I know there has been a lot of confusion in the forums about what rules TB enforces from the AP style book.
While it would be great if this post was tabbed on the website as a help page, there is nothing preventing authors from bookmarking this blog post or copying and pasting it into a word document.added by: author Tom Hooper on 06/25/2011 - 01.51
Excuse me, is this a board for creative copywriting or for proofreading? I don't believe anyone should be "rated down" for the omission or addition of a comma, if the sense of the sentence is not changed by so doing. Sandyadded by: author A-059644 on 06/25/2011 - 05.59
What is the purpose of the ban on a semicolon-conjunction combination? I feel it can impart a connotation that is not expressible in any other way. Also, not that I'm against good grammar and proper use of language and punctuation, but I think your rating system pays too much attention to arcane rules of style and too little to content. Most readers are interested in what we say and don't give a hoot how we say it.added by: author A-067908 on 06/25/2011 - 10.17
Thanks for extra clarification on commas. I have a list of introductory clause samples I've been compiling from the NYT showing recent comma use . These are some:
In early June my mother went to a picnic at Gracie Mansion...
In April the United States began using...
Before he began speaking the campaign showed a video...
There are no commas. This began to confuse me. I can see the style the NYT is moving toward. But while they are thinking and evolving, if only to avoid confusion and needless over-examination, I find it easier to simply adopt the TB ruling - use the comma. Gracia amigas! Thanks much for the clarification.added by: author plas on 06/25/2011 - 10.34
Very helpful post. Certainly it is an assist for writing properly. It also is going to help maintain my rating. (I hope)added by: author A-073215 on 06/25/2011 - 12.43
Jesse, you're so punny.
This post cleared up several questions I've had. I've been trying to incorporate the AP serial comma rule, but it looks like I can now go back to the way that is most comfortable for me.
Although it's not a topic of the post - what is TB's stance on split infinitives? It usually isn't a problem, but there are several phrases that have become so common that avoiding a split infinitive makes the sentence sound odd (in my opinion, at least).
"He decided to better serve his clients by ..." seems to put more emphasis on serving versus "He decided to serve his clients better by..."added by: author JaredC on 06/25/2011 - 09.23
It might be good to note that Microsoft Word can add various languages to the mix as the default proofing language.
Mine is United States English by default. However, UK English can be added and changed to the default. When I tried this using the word "color," I found that when United States English was default, color was used. When using UK English, colour was chosen as the correct spelling.
You must close and reopen Word for the proofing default change to go into effect. There are several English variations, including Australian.added by: author Steve Maur on 06/27/2011 - 05.33
Oh, dear. I used quotation marks around the first use of a phrase in a recent, medically-oriented article:
... in the course of an "in vitro fertilization" (IVF) program cycle ....
They just felt needed. I'm not certain why. Is this in error?
added by: author bumpylight on 06/27/2011 - 09.49
Please clarify the quotation/period rule.
Which one of these two examples are correct?
I saw "The Terminator."
I Saw "The Terminator".
I understand that the period should go before the quotation marks at the end of a quoted statement, but does that also apply to a situation as illustrated above?
Thank you.added by: author Jay Dano on 06/27/2011 - 11.12
"He had seconds to live. He really wanted a burger."
"He had seconds to live, but he really wanted a burger."
"He had seconds to live, for he really wanted a burger."
Did he die with regret because he wasn't going to get his burger? Are his burger cravings a harbinger of his demise? You wouldn't join these two sentences with a semicolon because the relationship between them isn't clear. Instead, you should determine what it is you are trying to say. Once that is clear, choose the conjunction that best expresses that sentiment.
For more information about semicolons, you can read our post here: http://www.textbroker.com/blog/content/the-semicolon-not-a-fancy-comma.html
@A-059644: If we didn't rate objectively based on grammar, what would we rate on? We have to maintain a standard, and that standard cannot be based on something subjective like client satisfaction. Maybe one client is happy when you've followed the instructions; another is only happy when you've written tight copy free of adverbs.
@JaredC: We might point out that you've split the infinitive, but we won't mark you down for it. Split infinitives are so common in English that it would be silly to mercilessly weed out every instance. Just think of all the Star Trek conventions we'd have to crash!
@bumpylight: We won't rate you down for it.
@Jay Dano: Place the period inside the quotation marks. If you're writing for a British client, you may adopt the British rules for punctuation.added by: Textbroker on 06/28/2011 - 05.05
It's good to know that the quotation marks will not bring ruin upon my head. ^_^
I'll echo the immediately preceding comment by remarking that Australian English shares many of the characteristics of British English, such as placements of periods and commas.
Hmmm.
"He had only seconds to live; yet, foremost in his mind was the desire for a juicy, medium-rare burger garnished with fried onions and ripe tomato slices, all of which was settled gently into the loving embrace of a toasted sesame-seed bun."added by: author bumpylight on 06/28/2011 - 06.30
I just wanted to say thanks for the great post. Improper comma use is keeping me from level 5. I have been trying to change and shorten my sentences to avoid them as much as possible. This post cleared some things up!added by: author Bfeliz on 06/28/2011 - 06.54
Great blog, Keira!!
bumpylight, your post made me hungry. ;-)
Maryanne M.added by: author Maryanne on 06/30/2011 - 03.44
This is absolutely the single most helpful post I have read in the TB blog - and everyone KNOWS what I think of grammatical rules.added by: author Stormgod on 07/01/2011 - 09.19
Commas should be used for parenthetical and interrupting elements.
"The board of directors originally intended to study all the designs for the new building, but to save time, they decided to go with the Megatrellian design, which they unanimously agreed was just what they wanted."
In your example above, it is proper to forget the FANBOYS rule and place the comma after "but," thereby making "to save time" a parenthetical element. The sentence is complete without those three words. As written above, removing the words set off by the commas would require the sentence to be split in two by use of a semicolon or period.
I do not have a current AP Style Manual, but the above is supported by both the University of Chicago "A Manual of Style" and "The Gregg Reference Manual."
Thanks for all you do!added by: author Diane M~ on 07/29/2011 - 12.26
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