ABOUT, AROUND

About means rather close to, usually referring to time or number (about a year, about five cups). Around is concerned with spatial arrangements (They sat around the table).

ACCESSIBLE

Use to mean “easily used or accessed by people with disabilities; adapted for use by people with disabilities.” Do not use wheelchair-accessible; the term is redundant.

ADVISING

Use this term, not advisement. (Note: This reflects Hofstra’s mission to actively encourage, nurture, and support students in their academic and personal pursuits, as well as in their future success.)

ADVISOR

Use this term, not adviser. (Note: This is an exception to AP Stylebook.)

ALUMNUS, ALUMNI, ALUMNA, ALUMNAE, ALUM

The terms alumnus (s.) and alumni (pl.) for men, and alumna (s.) and alumnae (pl.) for women, are acceptable. If a gender-neutral term is desired, alum or alums is acceptable. 

AMONG, BETWEEN

The maxim that between introduces two items and among introduces more than two covers most questions about how to use these words. However, between is the correct word when expressing the relationships of three or more items considered one pair at a time: The games between the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets have been exciting.

ANTISEMITISM (N.), ANTISEMITIC (ADJ.)

Prejudice or discrimination against Jews.

ANXIOUS, EAGER

Anxious means fearful or worried. Eager means showing keen desire.

APP, PLATFORM, SERVICE, SITE

Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings:

An app, short for application, is software written for a mobile device or personal computer, typically for a specific task such as checking movie times or watching Netflix.

A site, short for website, is an online destination typically accessed over web browsers.

A service is the function that runs on the app or at the site. Just as lightbulbs tap electricity to work, apps and sites tap services to work.

A platform is a computing system composed of hardware or software, or both, on which apps and services can run, including those from third parties.

Some can be all four. For example, Facebook is a site, at Facebook.com, to access the Facebook service. Facebook’s service can also be reached through a phone or tablet app called Facebook. And Facebook is a platform in allowing third-party apps and services to tap its tools.

ASSURE, ENSURE, INSURE

Assure means to remove doubt or give confidence. Ensure means to make certain, guarantee. Insure should be used only for references to insurance.

AVERAGE OF

The phrase takes a plural verb in a construction such as: An average of 100 new jobs are created daily.

BAD, BADLY

Bad should not be used as an adverb. It does not lose its status as an adjective, however, in a sentence such as I feel bad. Such a statement is the idiomatic equivalent of I am in bad health or I am sorry. I feel badly may be interpreted as meaning that your sense of touch is bad.

BESTSELLER, BESTSELLING

No hyphen.

CHAIR

Use this term, not chairman or chairwoman.

CHARACTER, REPUTATION

Character refers to moral qualities. Reputation refers to the way a person is regarded by others.

CLASS

Capitalize Class when referring to a specific class: Class of 2021, Class of ’64.

COURSEWORK

Always one word.

COMPOSE, COMPRISE

Compose means to create or put together. It may be active or passive. She composed a song. The United States is composed of 50 states. Comprise means to contain or to embrace. It is used in the active voice. As such, the construction “is comprised of” is never correct. The United States comprises 50 states.

CONTINUALLY, CONTINUOUSLY

Continual means repeated again and again. I was continually interrupted by the telephone. Continuous means uninterrupted. It rained continuously for 48 hours.

DATA

The word typically takes singular verbs and pronouns when writing for general audiences and in data journalism contexts: The data is sound. In scientific and academic writing, plural verbs and pronouns are preferred.

DISINTERESTED, UNINTERESTED

Disinterested means impartial, which is usually the better word to convey the thought. Uninterested means that someone lacks interest.

DROP-DOWN

Hyphenate when used as an adjective.

EMBASSY

Capitalize with the name of a nation; lowercase without it: the U.S. Embassy, the embassy.

EQUAL

An adjective without comparative forms. When people speak of a more equal distribution of wealth, what is meant is more equitable.

FAQ

Acceptable in all uses for frequently asked questions. Note that it is not FAQs.

FARTHER, FURTHER

Farther refers to physical distance: He walked farther into the woods.

Further refers to an extension of time or degree: She will look further into the mystery.

FEWER, LESS

In general, use fewer for individual items, less for bulk or quantity. Fewer than 10 applicants [individuals] called. I had less than $50 [an amount] in my pocket. But: I had fewer than 50 $1 bills [individual items] in my pocket.

FIELDWORK

Always one word.

FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED

Note the use of hyphens and the comma (an exception to some dictionaries).

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, FIRST-YEARS

Use first-year students on first mention. Afterward, it is acceptable to use first-years as a noun to describe students beginning their first year in college. Note: Freshmen is not gender-inclusive; do not use this term.

FREE

Do not use this term with an open house or information session. Open houses and information sessions are typically free. Focus on the value of the event (i.e., the potential benefits to attendees), rather than the fact that it is free to attend.

FUNDRAISING, FUNDRAISER

One word in all cases.

HEALTHCARE, HEALTH CARE

Use healthcare as an adjective, e.g., healthcare technology, healthcare proxy, healthcare curriculum. Use health care as a noun.

HOT SPOT

Two words. Used to describe an area where computers can connect wirelessly, a troubled global locale, or an area of intense heat in general.

IF, WHETHER

Use whether, not if, when a reply is expected: Let me know whether you are coming.

LAST, LATEST

Avoid the use of last as a synonym for latest if it might imply finality. For example, “The last announcement was made at noon” may leave the reader wondering if the announcement was the final announcement or if others are to follow.

LATE

Do not use to describe someone’s actions while alive.

LGBTQ+

Hofstra University uses the term LGBTQ+ in all publications. The “+” signifies the importance of including all aspects of sexuality, gender identity and expression, and allyship (Hofstra University LGBTQ+ Task Force Report, 2015-2016).

LOCAL

Avoid the irrelevant use of the word. Irrelevant: The injured were taken to a local hospital. Better: The injured were taken to a hospital.

LONG ISLAND

Use on Long Island, not in Long Island.

MEDIA

Generally takes a plural verb, as a reference to more than one individual organization. Try to avoid writing in a way that implies media are monolithic. Be specific when referring to, for example, news media, social media, or paid media. Refer to specific organizations or companies individually when relevant.

MID-

No hyphen unless a capitalized word follows: midair, mid-America, mid-Atlantic, midsemester, midterm.

MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION

The term misinformation refers to false information shared about a particular topic that could be mistaken as truth. It can include honest mistakes, exaggerations, and misunderstandings of facts, as well as disinformation, which refers to misinformation created and spread intentionally to mislead or confuse.

NONPROFIT/NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Use either; they have the same meaning.

PASSED, PAST

Passed is the past tense and the past participle of the verb to pass (We passed each other in the hall). Past is an adjective (During the past few years …), a noun (In the past, she was a ballerina), an adverb (She waved as she drove past), or a preposition (Ours if the first house past the school).

PERCENT

Use the % sign when paired with a numeral, with no space, in most cases. In casual cases, use words rather than figures and numbers: She said he has a zero percent chance of winning. Constructions with the % sign take a singular verb when standing alone or when a singular word follows an “of” construction: The teacher said 60% was a failing grade. He said 50% of the membership was there. It takes a plural verb when a plural word follows an “of” construction: He said 50% of the members were there.

PLEASE

Avoid using excessively in text. Use call, reply, return instead of please call, please reply, please return.

POSTBACCALAUREATE, POSTDOCTORAL, POSTSECONDARY

All are one word without a hyphen.

PRE-MED

Note the use of the hyphen (an exception to some dictionaries).

RESIDENCE HALLS

Use this term, not dorms.

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS

Use this term, not resident students, to describe students who live on campus.

RESUME

Preferred spelling (no accent marks) for an overview of work experience and educational background.

RIOT, UNREST, PROTEST, DEMONSTRATION, UPRISING, REVOLT

Use care in deciding which term best applies:

A riot is a wild or violent disturbance of the peace involving a group of people. The word suggests uncontrolled chaos and pandemonium.

Unrest is a vaguer, milder, and less emotional term for a condition of angry discontent and protest verging on revolt.

Protest and demonstration refer to specific actions such as marches, sit-ins, rallies, or other actions meant to register dissent. They can be legal or illegal, organized or spontaneous, peaceful or violent, and involve any number of people.

Revolt and uprising both suggest a broader political dimension or civil upheaval, a sustained period of protests or unrest against powerful groups or governing systems.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE, STUDENT-ATHLETE

Always hyphenate.

SO-CALLED (adj.)

Avoid this description, which can be seen as mocking or derogatory. Instead, use more words: what are often known as; what are sometimes known as; what supporters call; what opponents call, etc. If so-called must be used, do not follow with quotation marks: He is accused of trading so-called blood diamonds.

STARTUP

One word (noun and adjective) to describe a new business venture.

STEM, STEAM 

STEM is acceptable on first reference for science, technology, engineering, and math, but spell out the full phrase shortly thereafter.

STEAM is acceptable on first reference for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, but spell out the full phrase shortly thereafter.

STI, STD

STIs are sexually transmitted infections. STDs are sexually transmitted diseases.

An STI is considered a disease only when it causes symptoms.

As a general rule, educators and healthcare providers switched from STD to STI because “infection” is less stigmatizing than “disease.” 

In most cases, STI is more accurate, as the most common STIs are asymptomatic.

STREAMING, DOWNLOAD

Streaming is a form of video or audio delivery in which a show or song is sent over the internet just as the person watches or listens to it. Download refers to delivering the video or audio ahead of time, so that it can be viewed or heard when the person may not have an internet connection.

TEMPERATURES

Use figures for all except zero. Use a word, not a minus sign, to indicate temperatures below zero. The day’s low was minus 10. The day’s low was 10 below zero. Also: 5-degree temperatures, temperatures fell 5 degrees, temperatures in the 30s (no apostrophe). In recipes: 450 F or 232 C.

THEATER

Use theater generically and theatre only if part of a proper noun.

THEY/THEM/THEIR, THEMSELF

Growing numbers of people, including some transgender, nonbinary, agender, or gender-fluid people, use they/them/their as a gender-neutral singular personal pronoun.

As much as possible, AP also uses they/them/their as a way of accurately describing and representing a person who uses those pronouns for themself.

Here are some guidelines and perspectives.

They as a singular pronoun may be confusing to some readers and amount to a roadblock that stops them from reading further. At the same time, though, efforts to write without pronouns to avoid confusion may make people feel censored or invisible.

How to balance those priorities? Try to honor both your readers and your story subjects. As in all news writing, clarity is paramount.

Often a sentence can be sensitively and smoothly written with no pronoun. For example: Hendricks said the new job is a thrill (instead of Hendricks said Hendricks is thrilled about the new job or Hendricks said they are thrilled about the new job).

When using they/them/their as a singular pronoun, explain if it isn’t clear in context: Morales, who uses the pronoun they, said they will retire in June.

Be sure that the phrasing does not imply more than one person. Rephrase if needed to avoid confusion about the antecedent.

Don’t refer to preferred or chosen pronouns. Instead, the pronouns they use, whose pronouns are, who uses the pronouns, etc.

Don’t make assumptions about a person’s gender identity based on their pronouns, or vice versa. Don’t assume a person’s pronouns based on their first name.

In general, do not use neopronouns such as xe or zim; they are rarely used and are unrecognizable as words to general audiences.

They/them/their take plural verbs even when used as a singular pronoun, and the singular reflexive themself is also acceptable when referring to people who use they/them/their.

Do not presume maleness in constructing a sentence by defaulting to he/his/him.

When necessary, use they rather than he/she or he or she for an unspecified or unknown gender (a person, the victim, the winner) or indefinite pronoun (anyone, everyone, someone). But rewording to avoid a pronoun is preferable. For example: The foundation gave grants to anyone who lost a job this year (instead of anyone who lost their job).

A singular they may also be used when an anonymous source’s gender must be shielded: The person feared for their own safety and spoke on condition of anonymity.

TOWARD

Always use toward, never towards. The same applies to forward, afterward, and backward.

TRANSFER STUDENTS, TRANSFERS

Use transfer students on first mention. Afterward, it is acceptable to use transfers.

UNDERCLASSMEN

Use the gender-inclusive first-years/first-year students instead of underclassmen.

UNIQUE

The word can mean one of a kind, unparalleled, having no equal, etc.; or highly unusual, extraordinary, rare, etc. If used in the sense of one of a kind, don’t use modifiers such as very, rather, etc.

UPPERCLASSMEN

Use sophomores, juniors, and seniors instead of upperclassmen.

WHEELCHAIR USER

People use wheelchairs for independent mobility. Do not use confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound.