Monday, February 25, 2008

Let's rein in the number of style mistakes

Here are a few style mistakes that recently crossed copy editors' desks at The Forum:

Example one:
Raw copy, wrong--"remodeling project underway"
It should be--"remodeling project under way"
I've already written about his mistake several times. One of these days it should sink in. Under way is two words.
AP Stylebook says it's one word only when used as a adjective before a noun in a nautical sense: an underway flotilla.

Example two:
Raw copy, wrong--"free WiFi access"
It should be--"Wi-Fi"
AP Stylebook says: Wi-Fi For the wireless networking standards.

Example three:
Raw copy, wrong--"fight against West Nile Virus"
It should be--"fight against West Nile virus"
This is another style mistake I've written about before.

Example four:
Raw copy, wrong--"take steps to reign in costs"
It should be--"take steps to rein in costs"
Reign is the period a ruler is on the throne: The king began his reign. Rein is a means of guiding, controlling, checking or restraining: the reins of government.

Example five:
Raw copy, wrong--"second phase of its capitol campaign"
It should be--"second phase of its capital campaign"
Capitol is the building in which the U.S. Congress meets in Washington, D.C., or the building in which a state legislature meets. Capital: any assets, tangible or intangible, that are held for long-term investment.








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