|
Term and Abbreviation or Acronym |
Definition or Notes |
|---|---|
|
& instead of and |
The word "and" is preferred in text, except in the case of a proper name: Scrooge & Marley--or to save space, as in menus |
|
advisor vs. adviser |
Use advisor. Although adviser is also acceptable, most of our sites, such as Academic Advising use advisor. |
|
Adobe Reader |
not Adobe Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Reader |
|
African American, Asian American |
Do not hyphenate when used as nouns. Hyphenate when used as adjectives: African-American traditions |
|
all vs. all of |
All is preferable. Example: I hope you enjoy all the activities. |
|
BA, MA, PhD |
No periods, no spaces |
|
black |
UMass Dartmouth does not capitalize “black” when referring to race. |
|
carpool |
One word |
|
catalog |
Example: course catalog |
|
click |
Avoid for naming links—use descriptive text instead. |
|
database |
One word |
|
downtime |
One word |
|
e.g. |
Try to avoid. Replace with “for example.” |
|
|
No hyphen or initial caps |
|
freshman vs. freshmen |
The first is used both as a singular noun and as an adjective: "freshman applicants." However, when a web page contains both terms prominently (as in headings: freshman applicants; it's all about freshmen), it would look more consistent to use freshmen as the adjective: freshmen applicants. |
|
fax |
Preferable to “facsimile” |
|
i.e. |
Try to avoid. |
|
Internet |
Initial cap |
|
login (n.) |
When referring to your assigned name. Example: "Meg's login was margaret1." At UMass Dartmouth, we refer to the username and password as the UMassD Logon. |
|
log in (v.) |
When describing an action to be performed. Example: "When you log in, enter your new password." |
|
Massachusetts or MA |
Not generally necessary after a city or town in the Commonwealth. When referencing cities in other states, omit the state’s name if it’s unnecessary: Baltimore. Break this rule to insure clarity and accuracy: Florence, MA or Florence, Italy? |
|
online |
One word |
|
through |
Do not use thru. If space is an issue, such as in a table, use a hyphen or an en dash. For example, Monday – Wednesday or Mon.–Wed. |
|
vendor vs. vender |
Use vendor. Although vender is also acceptable, most of our sites use vendor. |
|
web |
lowercase |
|
website |
lowercase, one word |
















