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Style

Style

Matters of style rather than grammar: How to use abbreviations, numbers, capital letters, etc. in your text.

68 articles. Page 1 of 7

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: Are Holiday Greetings Capitalized?Are Holiday Greetings Capitalized?

Capitalize names of holidays, such as “Christmas” and “Hanukkah.” Don’t capitalize adjectives like “happy” and “merry” or common nouns like the word “holidays,” unless at the start of a sentence.

Acronym vs. Abbreviation: Are They Different?Acronym vs. Abbreviation

An acronym is an abbreviation pronounced as a single word. It is treated differently from other abbreviations (such as initialisms) in edited text.

Should Happy Birthday Be Capitalized?Is Happy Birthday Capitalized?

Don’t capitalize phrases like “happy birthday” when talking about wishing someone. Feel free to capitalize them in personal greetings.

When to Use Abbreviations in Formal WritingWhen to Use Abbreviations

Abbreviations are acceptable in formal writing. Explain an abbreviation at first use. Avoid overuse. Avoid using them in titles and headings or to start a sentence.

Happy New Year or Year’s? Is It Capitalized?How to Write Happy New Year

The greeting is “Happy New Year,” not “Happy New Years” or “Happy New Year’s.” It contains a singular noun (“year”) and requires no apostrophe.

Plurals of Mr., Dr., Mrs., Ms., and Other TitlesPlurals of Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms.

To form the plural of a contracted social or professional title, add “s” and move the period to the end (“Drs. Keyland and Murphy”). The plural of “Ms.” is “Mss.” or “Mses.,” and that of “Mr.” is “Messrs.”

Apostrophe in Teachers’ DayApostrophe in Teachers’ Day

Use an apostrophe after “s” in “Teachers’ Day.” The noun “teachers” is thought of as a plural possessive, indicated by an apostrophe after “s.”

Plurals of SI and Other Abbreviated Units of MeasurementPlurals of Abbreviated Units

Abbreviated SI and other metric units do not have a separate plural form: don’t add “s” to form the plural of an abbreviated unit of measurement (10 km, not 10 kms).

Apostrophe and “S” in Indigenous Peoples’ DayHow to Write Indigenous Peoples’ Day

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day” may be written with or without the apostrophe, depending on the style you follow.

Periods in UK, UN, EU, US, and Other Abbreviated NamesPeriods in UK, UN, EU, US

The abbreviations “UK” and “UN” are generally written without periods except in certain styles. The abbreviation “EU” is always written without internal periods.

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