Editor's Manual
LightNews LightNews
banner
editorsmanual.bsky.social
Editor's Manual
@editorsmanual.bsky.social
33 followers 7 following 6 posts
Posts on grammar, usage, style, and punctuation. Website for editors, writers, and learners of English.

Website: https://editorsmanual.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
editorsmanual.bsky.social
Capitalize names of holidays such as “Thanksgiving” but lowercase adjectives like “happy” within a larger sentence.
- I wished her a happy Thanksgiving.

Style standalone, personal greetings as you like.

#greetings #writing #EnglishTips #Thanksgiving

editorsmanual.com/articles/hol...
Graphic titled "Are Holiday Greetings Capitalized?" The left panel has a festive background of stars and snowflakes and three cats dressed in a Santa hat, a reindeer hat, and an elf hat, delivering a present. The right panel has the following text. Capitalize names of holidays and words at the start of a sentence. Examples: Merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas. Happy holidays! Good night, and happy holidays! Happy Hanukkah! Have a happy Hanukkah! Happy Fourth of July! Have a happy Thanksgiving. I wished her happy holidays. (Lowercase common nouns and adjectives.)
November 23, 2023 at 7:31 PM
editorsmanual.bsky.social
There’s no apostrophe in “Veterans Day.”
✔️ Veterans Day
❌ Veteran’s Day
❌ Veterans’ Day

The word “veterans” in the name of this holiday is treated as a descriptive rather than a possessive term. Read more in editorsmanual.com/articles/vet...

#AmEditing #Writing #EnglishTips #VeteransDay
Graphic on apostrophe in "Veterans Day." The left panel shows a retro-style poster that says "VETERANS DAY" in blue and red with a monochromatic ribbon swirling around the text and the date "NOV 11" on the ribbon. The right panel contains the following text. Apostrophe: Veteran's Day (incorrect, with apostrophe before “s”); Veterans' Day (incorrect, with apostrophe after “s”); Veterans Day (correct, with no apostrophe, official name). Capital letters: Veterans day (incorrect, with the word “day” lowercased); Veterans Day (correct, with both words capitalized, name of holiday, proper noun).
November 10, 2023 at 7:08 PM
editorsmanual.bsky.social
To form the possessive of a name ending in “s,” you can add an apostrophe and another “s” or just an apostrophe. Both styles are acceptable.
✔️ Charles’s crown
✔️ Charles’ crown

#AmEditing #Editing #Writing #EnglishTips
editorsmanual.com/articles/pos...
Possessives of names ending in "s": Rules and examples. Chicago & APA style: Add an apostrophe and another "s" (Charles's boat, Harris's views). AP style: Simply add an apostrophe (James' car, Jesus' disciples). With family names, form a plural, then add an apostrophe (the Joneses' cat). With plural country names, don't add another "s" (the United States' imports, the Philippines' waterways).
November 8, 2023 at 1:48 PM
editorsmanual.bsky.social
Don't use scare quotes for emphasis. Use them to show nonstandard use of a word or imply irony, skepticism, or disdain.
- This button lets you “poke” the user.
- Oh, was he “busy” again?
- They've issued an “apology.”

#AmEditing #writing #EnglishTips #halloween
editorsmanual.com/articles/sca...
Graphic titled "Scare Quotes." The left panel shows an illustration of a dilapidated, clearly haunted house with a background of soaring bats silhouetted against the moon. Two ghosts, one by the gated driveway and another floating against the night sky, have opening and closing quotation marks for eyes. The right panel has the following text. Scare quotes convey irony, skepticism, or disdain. (Examples: Is that the "ghost"? Clearly, something "intelligent" wrote this.) Indicate nonstandard use of a word. (Examples: "Intelligent" chatbots now serve customers. This app lets you "try on" pants before you buy them.)
October 30, 2023 at 3:23 PM
editorsmanual.bsky.social
It's interesting how "some" and "any" can convey contrasting meanings.
- Isn't there some way to cancel these tickets?
(confirming positive expectation)
- Don't you have any money?
(confirming negative expectation)

#LearnEnglish #ESL #EnglishOnline

editorsmanual.com/articles/som...
"Some" vs. "any" in questions: Examples and explanation. In affirmative questions: Would you like some tea? (Expects agreement: "Yes, thank you.") Would you like any tea or coffee while you wait? (Open-ended: "Just some water, thanks.") In negative questions: Isn't there some kind of tea that helps you sleep? (Expects confirmation and clarification: "Yes, try chamomile.") Aren't you having any cupcakes? (Confirming negative expectation: "No, I just had breakfast.")
October 11, 2023 at 7:44 AM
editorsmanual.bsky.social
When you write about wishing someone on their special day, don't capitalize common nouns and adjectives (like “birthday” and “happy”).
❌ I wished her a Happy Birthday.
✔️ I wished her a happy birthday.

#AmEditing #writing #EnglishTips
editorsmanual.com/articles/fes...
Is "happy birthday" capitalized? Don't capitalize when you describe wishing someone. Example: I wished her a happy birthday [adjective + common noun]). Don't capitalize in dialogue. Examples: "Good morning and happy birthday, Remy," she said. They all cried, "Happy birthday!" Style personal greetings as you like. Example: Happy Birthday! (with balloon emojis)
October 11, 2023 at 3:24 AM