For questions about style manuals. Style manuals are resources for writers that indicate precedents and recommend formatting consistency.
Questions tagged [style-manuals]
204 questions
23
votes
6 answers
Verbs after 'as well as'—is this Merriam-Webster example wrong?
Before branding this question a duplicate, please note that I have already noticed some questions here pertaining to the use of 'as well as'. I have also noticed that none of the answers to them are helpful to clear out my confusion.
I have come…
mahmud k pukayoor
- 8,500
20
votes
7 answers
Where can I find a reasonably well recognized free style guide that is online?
I don't like prefixing all my answers and pontifications about English usage with IMHO.
Where can I find a reasonably well recognized style guide that is online that I can refer people to?
My first choice, chicagomanualofstyle.org, is for paid…
MatthewMartin
- 2,504
12
votes
1 answer
What manual of style should I use for technical writing for US Federal Government documents?
For a lot of the questions I'm seeing on ELaU, it seems the answer is ultimately arbitrary and unlikely to be resolved by poll. Since style guides exist to settle the question for people who care not what sounds better, but just want to get with…
MatthewMartin
- 2,504
2
votes
1 answer
What style guide does the Queen use?
Is there a known style guide or documented set of stylistic rules for the English language that Queen Elizabeth II and/or her office uses in emitted correspondence? Is there any way to know how QE2 would write something without digging through old…
jwodder
- 658
1
vote
2 answers
Reference request: interesting writing on the topic of descriptivism and prescriptivism?
It seems to me that descriptivism versus prescriptivism is a false dichotomy. On another stackexchange site, I was recently moved to interject, in a hot and heavy dispute over split infinitives: --
Even someone who thinks prescriptivist grammar is…
user16723
1
vote
1 answer
Is "there is no longer enough resources" correct?
Is "there is no longer enough natural resources to support economic growth" correct?
Should it be There are no longer enough natural resources as verb should agree with noun "resources" which is plural.
trinity
- 11
1
vote
1 answer
How does one use an apostrophe when introducing a person and their belonging?
Daniel runs into Nancy's, his sister's, bedroom.
Daniel runs into Nancy's, his sister, bedroom.
Daniel runs into Nancy, his sister's, bedroom.
Out of the three statements above, which one is accurate? How does one use an apostrophe when introducing…
Nathan
- 11
0
votes
0 answers
Sometimes, just thinking about making it would suffice
I am doubting this sentence, and wonder if anyone has a pointer or two.
The context is, you don't necessarily need to make art...
Sometimes, just thinking about making it would suffice.
Sometimes, just thinking about making it will…
0
votes
0 answers
How can I correctly reference a source directly in an article under Harvard-style rules for publications?
I am trying to reference a source directly in an article that I am writing using “Harvard-style” referencing. The source I am using is an article published on a radio station’s “news articles” page. As the author, they have only written “KHTS…
Jack534
- 1
0
votes
2 answers
Is there an implied be verb in the sentence "American workers facing or are facing"?
American workers facing a less prosperous future than their parents’ generation have gotten the message—or at least a version of it.
Can anyone please explain the structure? Is there any implied be verb after workers, like workers are facing?
0
votes
1 answer
Past Progressive vs Past Perfect Progressive in the sentence below
Do both sentences (below) have the same meaning?
He was doing landscape work before he was hired by the taxi company.
He had been doing landscape work before he was hired by the taxi company.
amvibian
- 1
0
votes
1 answer
In search of a Grammar text, of any vintage, that covers such as the below
I've searched websites, written to Mr. Barth and William Safire, scanned bookstore shelves, and buttonholed likely prospects in search of a grammar text that would address matters in the manner of the following, which is from John Barth's "The End…
Rabbit
- 121
0
votes
1 answer
Using a comma after a question mark inside quotation marks?
Can I use a comma following a question mark (as part of a title), inside quotation marks?
It sounds like quite a complicated question, but all I want to do is correctly write the sentence:
"Leo Strauss, in his essay “What is Political…
0
votes
1 answer
Use of the noun 'associate'
Am I a 'former associate at Company XYZ' or a 'former associate of Company XYZ'?
NallyRoll
- 111