First 20

Question 1

Months?

Answer 1

Abbreviate: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.

Spell out: March, April, May, June and July

Question 2

Series of three or more (Oxford comma)

Answer 2

Do not use comma before the word “and”

Example: The flag was red, white and blue.

Question 3

Titles?

Answer 3

Use courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss) only in direct quotes.

Use person’s first and last name on first reference, and use only last name on second reference.

Question 4

To or Hyphen?

Answer 4

Use “to” between dates, times or numerals.

DON’T use hyphens.

Ex: The display is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Question 5

Academic departments?

Answer 5

Use lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or adjectives.

Ex: the department of history, the department of English.

Question 6

Address abbreviations?

Answer 6

Abbreviate: Ave., Blvd. and St.

Spell: alley, drive, road, terrace, etc.

Question 7

Ages?

Answer 7

Always use figures for people and animals.

Ex: the girl is 15 years old.

Question 8

Capitalize A.M., P.M?

Answer 8

Always lowercase with periods.

a.m., p.m.

Question 9

Apostrophe?

Answer 9

Use to show possession.

Ex: the alumni’s contribution.

If word ends in S put apostrophe after the S.

Ex: the campus’ appearance.

Question 10

Died or passed away?

Answer 10

Always use “died”.

Question 11

Held, hold

Answer 11

Use held only in literal sense.

Ex: he held the pencil

Don’t use held when referring to events, concerts, conventions, etc.

Question 12

It’s or its?

Answer 12

It’s is contraction for it is or it has.

Ex: it’s up to you, it’s been a long time.

Its is possessive term.

Ex: the dog chased its tail.

Question 13

Quote punctuation?

Answer 13

Quotes for word-for-word comments, and punctuation (comma) goes inside.

Ex: “CSUN is a great place to learn,” said Stephanie Bluestein, journalism professor.

Question 14

Seasons?

Answer 14

Lowercase unless part of a formal name

spring, summer, fall, winter.

Winter Olympics.

Question 15

Spacing

Answer 15

Only one space between sentences.

Right: Hello. Hi
Wrong: Hello. Hi

Question 16

Who, whom?

Answer 16

Who used for references to humans and animals. It is the subject.

Ex: the woman who rented e apartment moved out.

Whom used when someone is the object.

Ex: the woman to whom the apartment was rented moved out.

Question 17

Academic degrees

Answer 17

Preferred form is to avoid abbreviation and use phrase.

Use apostrophe for bachelor’s degree

Question 18

States?

Answer 18

Spell out the name of all states.

Right: Northridge, California
Wrong: Northridge, Calif.
Wrong: Northridge, CA

Question 19

Numerals?

Answer 19

Spell out: One through nine

Numeral: 10 and higher.

Question 20

That, which

Answer 20

Use that for essential clauses, important to meaning of sentence w/o comma.

Ex: I remember the day that we met.

Use which for nonessential clauses.

Ex: the dog, which had strong legs, was a natural jumper.