The AP Stylebook is an indispensable tool for writers and editors, particularly when it comes to ensuring consistency and clarity in date formats. Correctly applying AP style to dates, times, months, and years is crucial for professional communication. This guide addresses common questions and provides clear answers based on AP style guidelines, helping you master date formatting for impeccable writing.
Abbreviating Months in AP Style
Question: When should months be abbreviated in AP style?
Answer: In AP style, abbreviate months when they are used with a specific date. The months that are abbreviated are: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. Months like March, April, May, June, and July are always spelled out, regardless of whether they are used with a date.
For example:
- Correct: Jan. 2 was the coldest day.
- Correct: February 2023 was a short month.
- Correct: The meeting is scheduled for March.
- Incorrect: Sept. was a busy month. (Should be September when used alone)
Alt text: AP Stylebook guidance on month abbreviations, showing when to abbreviate months like Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. when used with specific dates, and when to spell them out.
Commas with Dates and Years in AP Style
Question: Are commas necessary when writing dates with months, days, and years? What about just months and years?
Answer: AP style dictates comma usage with dates to ensure clarity. When you use a month, day, and year, set off the year with commas. However, when you only use a month and a year, do not separate the year with commas.
Examples:
- Correct: Feb. 14, 2023, was the target date.
- Correct: January 2024 was mild.
- Incorrect: January, 2024, was mild. (Comma not needed between month and year)
Alt text: Example from AP Stylebook illustrating correct comma placement in dates, showing commas around the year when month, day, and year are present, but no comma between month and year alone.
Formatting Time in AP Style
Question: How should time be written in AP style, including hours and minutes, and the use of a.m. and p.m.?
Answer: AP style for time uses figures except for noon and midnight. Use a colon to separate hours from minutes. Always use lowercase a.m. and p.m. with periods. Avoid redundancies like “10 a.m. this morning”; instead, use “10 a.m.”
Examples:
- Correct: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 9-11 a.m., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Correct: noon, midnight
- Incorrect: 10:00 AM (Should be 10 a.m.)
- Incorrect: 10 p.m. tonight (Redundant, use 10 p.m.)
Alt text: AP Stylebook guidelines for formatting time, demonstrating the use of figures, colons to separate hours and minutes, and lowercase a.m. and p.m. with periods.
Decades and Years in AP Style
Question: What is the correct way to refer to decades and years in AP style?
Answer: Use Arabic figures for decades. For decades, you can use either the longer form or the shortened form with an apostrophe. For years, use all four digits unless referring to a range within the same century, in some contexts.
Examples for decades:
- Correct: the 1990s, the ’90s, the mid-1980s
- Correct: the 2020s
Examples for years:
- Correct: 2024
- Correct: 2020-2023 (range of years)
Alt text: AP Stylebook examples for writing decades, showing the use of Arabic figures and apostrophes for shortened forms like ’90s and 1990s.
Specific Dates in Quotes
Question: When quoting someone speaking a date, should you abbreviate the month if they said the full month name?
Answer: Yes, even within quotations of spoken words, format dates according to AP style. This includes abbreviating months when used with specific dates.
Example:
- Quote: He said, “I will arrive in February 20.”
- AP Style Quote: “I will arrive on Feb. 20,” he said.
Alt text: AP Stylebook guidance on handling dates within quotations, specifying that spoken dates should be formatted to reflect AP style conventions, including month abbreviations.
Conclusion
Mastering AP style dates involves understanding the rules for month abbreviations, comma usage, time formats, and decade references. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can ensure their content is clear, consistent, and professionally presented. Refer to the AP Stylebook for comprehensive guidance and stay updated with any style changes to maintain accuracy in all your written communications. Using the AP style guide for dates enhances the credibility and readability of your work, essential for effective journalism and professional writing.
