AP Style "Basics"

Question 1

academic degrees

Answer 1

Avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as: John Jones, who has a doctorate in psychology.

Question 2

academic departments

Answer 2

Use lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or adjectives: the department of history, the history department,

Question 3

addresses

Answer 3

use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd. and St. only with a numbered address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Question 4

affect, effect

Answer 4

Affect, as a verb, means to influence: The game will affect the standings. Affect, as a noun, is best avoided.
Effect, as a verb, means to cause: He will effect many changes in the company. Effect, as a noun, means result: The effect was overwhelming. He miscalculated the effect of his actions.

Question 5

ages

Answer 5

Always use figures for people and animals (but not for inanimates): The girl is 15 years old; the law is eight years old.

Question 6

A.m. & P.m.

Answer 6

Lowercase, with periods. Avoid the redundant 10 a.m. this morning. Noon and midnight stand alone.

Question 7

apostrophe

Answer 7

In general, use to show possession: the alumni’s contributions, women’s rights, Northridge’s reputation.

Question 8

California

Answer 8

Spell out the names of all states. (For large cities like Los Angeles, don’t include the state.)

Question 9

Died

Answer 9

Use died, not passed away

Question 10

held, hold

Answer 10

Use held only in the literal sense: He held the pencil. She wants to hold the baby.

Question 11

it’s, its

Answer 11

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has: It’s up to you.

Question 12

Months

Answer 12

Capitalize the names in all uses. When a month is used with a specific date, abbreviate only Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.

Question 13

numerals

Answer 13

Spell out one through nine; 10 and higher use numerals. Since graduating high school three years ago, Susan has had 12 jobs.

Question 14

Over

Answer 14

It generally refers to spatial relationships (The plane flew over the city) but is now acceptable when referring to a quantity.

Question 15

Percent

Answer 15

One word. It takes a singular verb when standing alone or when a singular word follows an of construction: The teacher said 60 percent was a failing grade.

Question 16

quote marks

Answer 16

Use quote marks for exact, word-for-word comments. Put a comma inside the ending quote marks. “CSUN is a great place to learn,” said Stephanie Bluestein, journalism professor.

Question 17

Seasons

Answer 17

Lowercase spring, summer, fall, winter and derivatives such as springtime unless part of a formal name: Dartmouth Winter Carnival, Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics.

Question 18

series of three or more

Answer 18

Do not use a comma before the word “and” when listing a series of three or more things: The flag was red, white and blue.

Question 19

Spacing

Answer 19

Use only one space between sentences.

Question 20

Titles

Answer 20

In general, capitalize formal titles used directly before a person’s name. Use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss) only in direct quotations.

Question 21

To

Answer 21

Use to between two dates, times or numerals: The museum, which has a mummy display from June to August, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Question 22

that, which (pronouns)

Answer 22

Use that and which in referring to inanimate objects and to animals without a name.

Question 23

Who, Whom

Answer 23

Who is the pronoun used for references to human beings and to animals with a name. Whom is used when someone is the object of the verb or preposition: The woman to whom the apartment was rented moved out without notifying the owner.