AP Stylebook
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The AP Stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and corporate offices worldwide. We offer a full suite of products to help you stay in style, whether on your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
A Stylebook Online subscriber asked whether the preferred term is orca or killer whale.
Ask the Editor responded that the terms are used interchangeably.
No matter what you call them, these images of orcas hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto a photographer's boat are dramatic.
Ask the Editor responded that the terms are used interchangeably.
No matter what you call them, these images of orcas hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto a photographer's boat are dramatic.
November 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
A Stylebook Online subscriber asked whether the preferred term is orca or killer whale.
Ask the Editor responded that the terms are used interchangeably.
No matter what you call them, these images of orcas hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto a photographer's boat are dramatic.
Ask the Editor responded that the terms are used interchangeably.
No matter what you call them, these images of orcas hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto a photographer's boat are dramatic.
In general, AP style does not use courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs. or Ms., except in direct quotations.
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
In general, AP style does not use courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs. or Ms., except in direct quotations.
To filibuster is to make long speeches to obstruct the passage of legislation.
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
November 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
To filibuster is to make long speeches to obstruct the passage of legislation.
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
A legislator who used such methods also is a filibuster, not a filibusterer.
apnews.com/article/fili...
A Stylebook Online subscriber queried Ask the Editor about how to refer to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on first reference.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Stylebook Online subscriber queried Ask the Editor about how to refer to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on first reference.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton answered: Refer it to it by its full name first, then SNAP for the rest of the item.
Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
October 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Capitalize U.S. Capitol and the Capitol when referring to the building in Washington.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
Follow the same practice when referring to state capitols.
But it's capital, spelled with the -al ending, for a city or town that is the seat of government.
For the first time in over 20 years, and only the 12th time since 1898, Merriam-Webster will release a new edition of its Collegiate Dictionary on Nov. 18.
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
For the first time in over 20 years, and only the 12th time since 1898, Merriam-Webster will release a new edition of its Collegiate Dictionary on Nov. 18.
Diwali is the festival of lights, also called Deepavali. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lit to symbolize the victory of inner light over spiritual darkness.
October 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Diwali is the festival of lights, also called Deepavali. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lit to symbolize the victory of inner light over spiritual darkness.
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will cover the big-picture questions of how to improve your writing and editing to make your copy clear and compelling.
October 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content will cover the big-picture questions of how to improve your writing and editing to make your copy clear and compelling.
We updated our guidance on bulleted lists in 2024, and now AP style calls for no punctuation at the end of a single word or single phrase in each section of a list.
October 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We updated our guidance on bulleted lists in 2024, and now AP style calls for no punctuation at the end of a single word or single phrase in each section of a list.
There's more to AP style than hyphens and commas.
Our second AP Stylebook Workshop this fall will focus on the larger strategic issues of good writing and editing.
Our second AP Stylebook Workshop this fall will focus on the larger strategic issues of good writing and editing.
September 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
There's more to AP style than hyphens and commas.
Our second AP Stylebook Workshop this fall will focus on the larger strategic issues of good writing and editing.
Our second AP Stylebook Workshop this fall will focus on the larger strategic issues of good writing and editing.
We expanded our entry on the terms accident and crash, which advises avoiding the implication of blamelessness where negligence may be involved.
September 25, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We expanded our entry on the terms accident and crash, which advises avoiding the implication of blamelessness where negligence may be involved.
Do you want to feel more confident deciding when you need a comma and when you don't?
The AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics is for you.
We'll go deep on commas, hyphens, capitalization, numerals and more.
The first live session is Oct. 1 so sign up now.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
The AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics is for you.
We'll go deep on commas, hyphens, capitalization, numerals and more.
The first live session is Oct. 1 so sign up now.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
September 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Do you want to feel more confident deciding when you need a comma and when you don't?
The AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics is for you.
We'll go deep on commas, hyphens, capitalization, numerals and more.
The first live session is Oct. 1 so sign up now.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
The AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics is for you.
We'll go deep on commas, hyphens, capitalization, numerals and more.
The first live session is Oct. 1 so sign up now.
store.stylebooks.com/ap-stylebook...
An AP Stylebook Online subscriber asked:
When writing about child care programs for a school, should the options be listed as "before- and after-school programs" or "before and after-school"?
Our Ask the Editor response:
Before- and after-school programs.
When writing about child care programs for a school, should the options be listed as "before- and after-school programs" or "before and after-school"?
Our Ask the Editor response:
Before- and after-school programs.
September 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
An AP Stylebook Online subscriber asked:
When writing about child care programs for a school, should the options be listed as "before- and after-school programs" or "before and after-school"?
Our Ask the Editor response:
Before- and after-school programs.
When writing about child care programs for a school, should the options be listed as "before- and after-school programs" or "before and after-school"?
Our Ask the Editor response:
Before- and after-school programs.
CEO is acceptable in all references for chief executive officer, who typically has the primary decision-making authority. This role is separate from chief financial officer and chief operating officer, but an individual may hold more than one of these positions at a time.
apnews.com/article/nest...
apnews.com/article/nest...
September 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
CEO is acceptable in all references for chief executive officer, who typically has the primary decision-making authority. This role is separate from chief financial officer and chief operating officer, but an individual may hold more than one of these positions at a time.
apnews.com/article/nest...
apnews.com/article/nest...
Do you want to take the AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics including punctuation, capitalization and numbers?
Or the AP Stylebook Workshop on refining your content, including cutting cliches, jargon and excess detail, and making better judgment calls?
Yes and yes!
Or the AP Stylebook Workshop on refining your content, including cutting cliches, jargon and excess detail, and making better judgment calls?
Yes and yes!
September 3, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Do you want to take the AP Stylebook Workshop on mechanics including punctuation, capitalization and numbers?
Or the AP Stylebook Workshop on refining your content, including cutting cliches, jargon and excess detail, and making better judgment calls?
Yes and yes!
Or the AP Stylebook Workshop on refining your content, including cutting cliches, jargon and excess detail, and making better judgment calls?
Yes and yes!
Watch out for this nuance in college degrees:
Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, a master’s, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
Also, it's an associate degree. It's not possessive so it doesn't take an apostrophe.
Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, a master’s, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
Also, it's an associate degree. It's not possessive so it doesn't take an apostrophe.
August 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Watch out for this nuance in college degrees:
Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, a master’s, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
Also, it's an associate degree. It's not possessive so it doesn't take an apostrophe.
Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, a master’s, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
Also, it's an associate degree. It's not possessive so it doesn't take an apostrophe.
Our proofing tools aren't just artificial intelligence reviewing your text.
Our technology partner Tansa Systems has linguistic experts who keep up on AP style rules to write code that finds common errors and recommends changes. That means greater nuance and understanding than simple automation.
Our technology partner Tansa Systems has linguistic experts who keep up on AP style rules to write code that finds common errors and recommends changes. That means greater nuance and understanding than simple automation.
August 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Our proofing tools aren't just artificial intelligence reviewing your text.
Our technology partner Tansa Systems has linguistic experts who keep up on AP style rules to write code that finds common errors and recommends changes. That means greater nuance and understanding than simple automation.
Our technology partner Tansa Systems has linguistic experts who keep up on AP style rules to write code that finds common errors and recommends changes. That means greater nuance and understanding than simple automation.
Is it college move in or move-in?
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, lists move in with no hyphen, as well as moved in for past tense and moves in as the intransitive verb.
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, lists move in with no hyphen, as well as moved in for past tense and moves in as the intransitive verb.
August 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Is it college move in or move-in?
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, lists move in with no hyphen, as well as moved in for past tense and moves in as the intransitive verb.
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, lists move in with no hyphen, as well as moved in for past tense and moves in as the intransitive verb.
Capitalize National Guard when referring to U.S. or state-level forces, or foreign forces when that is the formal name: the National Guard, the Guard, the Iowa National Guard, Iowa's National Guard, National Guard troops.
On second reference, lowercase the guard.
apnews.com/article/trum...
On second reference, lowercase the guard.
apnews.com/article/trum...
August 13, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Capitalize National Guard when referring to U.S. or state-level forces, or foreign forces when that is the formal name: the National Guard, the Guard, the Iowa National Guard, Iowa's National Guard, National Guard troops.
On second reference, lowercase the guard.
apnews.com/article/trum...
On second reference, lowercase the guard.
apnews.com/article/trum...
AP Stylebook Online is the resource that makes it easy for you to keep up with the latest in AP style.
Keep up with additions or changes as our editors watch what's in the news. Check recent updates and new additions from your dashboard, and get email notifications, if you like.
Keep up with additions or changes as our editors watch what's in the news. Check recent updates and new additions from your dashboard, and get email notifications, if you like.
August 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
AP Stylebook Online is the resource that makes it easy for you to keep up with the latest in AP style.
Keep up with additions or changes as our editors watch what's in the news. Check recent updates and new additions from your dashboard, and get email notifications, if you like.
Keep up with additions or changes as our editors watch what's in the news. Check recent updates and new additions from your dashboard, and get email notifications, if you like.
Those who read our style tips often are good communicators.
Does that mean if you frequently read our tips, you are a good communicator?
Or that those who read our tips are often good communicators?
Can both be true? Of course. But be careful where you place a modifier if it can lead to confusion.
Does that mean if you frequently read our tips, you are a good communicator?
Or that those who read our tips are often good communicators?
Can both be true? Of course. But be careful where you place a modifier if it can lead to confusion.
August 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Those who read our style tips often are good communicators.
Does that mean if you frequently read our tips, you are a good communicator?
Or that those who read our tips are often good communicators?
Can both be true? Of course. But be careful where you place a modifier if it can lead to confusion.
Does that mean if you frequently read our tips, you are a good communicator?
Or that those who read our tips are often good communicators?
Can both be true? Of course. But be careful where you place a modifier if it can lead to confusion.
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, shows that the proper terms are iced tea or iced coffee, meaning cooled by ice. It’s not ice tea or ice coffee.
July 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our primary dictionary, Merriam-Webster, shows that the proper terms are iced tea or iced coffee, meaning cooled by ice. It’s not ice tea or ice coffee.
Are you the person to whom coworkers come when they have questions about using who or whom? Or do you just rewrite the sentence if you aren't sure if you should use who or whom?
We've heard it said that "whom" might just disappear because most people don't understand it. Would you miss it?
We've heard it said that "whom" might just disappear because most people don't understand it. Would you miss it?
July 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Are you the person to whom coworkers come when they have questions about using who or whom? Or do you just rewrite the sentence if you aren't sure if you should use who or whom?
We've heard it said that "whom" might just disappear because most people don't understand it. Would you miss it?
We've heard it said that "whom" might just disappear because most people don't understand it. Would you miss it?
Are you an AP Stylebook Online subscriber? Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton recently answered a question about weight loss drugs on Stylebook Online’s Ask the Editor.
July 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Are you an AP Stylebook Online subscriber? Stylebook editor Anna Jo Bratton recently answered a question about weight loss drugs on Stylebook Online’s Ask the Editor.
Join our four-part online course, Write Your Way to Success, to learn principles of journalism and writing that you can apply to your work in any field.
We extended the early-bird discount to Friday so sign up now!
The first session is Aug. 5.
We extended the early-bird discount to Friday so sign up now!
The first session is Aug. 5.
July 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Join our four-part online course, Write Your Way to Success, to learn principles of journalism and writing that you can apply to your work in any field.
We extended the early-bird discount to Friday so sign up now!
The first session is Aug. 5.
We extended the early-bird discount to Friday so sign up now!
The first session is Aug. 5.