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The Economist - Style Guide - Some dos and don'ts

An should be used before a word beginning with a vowel sound (an egg, an umbrella, an MP) or an h if, and only if, the h is silent (an honorary degree). But a European, a university, a U-turn, a hospital, a hotel. Historical is an exception: it is preceded by an, the h remaining silent.

As of (April 5th or April): prefer on (or after, or since) April 5th, in April.

As to: there is usually a more appropriate preposition.

Bale: in boats and in the hayfield, yes, otherwise bail, bail out.

Biannual can mean twice a year or once every two years. Avoid. Since biennial also means once every two years, that is best avoided too.

Bicentennial: prefer bicentenary (as a noun).

Black: in the black means in profit in Britain, but making losses in some places. Use in profit.

Case: “There is perhaps no single word so freely resorted to as a trouble-saver,” says Gowers, “and consequently responsible for so much flabby writing.” Often you can do without it. There are many cases of it being unnecessary is better as It is often unnecessary. If it is the case that simply means If. It is not the case means It is not so.

Come up with: try suggest, originate or produce.

Commit: do not commit to, but by all means commit yourself to something.

-ee: employees, evacuees, detainees, referees, refugees but, please, no attendees (those attending), draftees (conscripts), escapees (escapers), retirees (the retired), or standees. A divorcee may be male or female.

Environment: often unavoidable, but not a pretty word. Avoid the business environment, the school environment, the work environment, etc. Try to rephrase the sentence—conditions for business, at school, at work, etc. Surroundings can sometimes do the job.

Fact: The fact that can often be boiled down to That.

Former: avoid wherever possible use of the former and the latter. It usually causes confusion.

Gentlemen's agreement, not gentleman's.

Important: if something is important, say why and to whom. Use sparingly.

Last: the last issue of The Economist implies its extinction; prefer last week's or the latest issue. Last year, in 1996, means 1995; if you mean the 12 months up to the time of writing, write the past year. The same goes for the past month, past week, past (not last) ten years. Last week is best avoided; anyone reading it several days after publication may be confused. This week is permissible.

Lifestyle: prefer way of life.

Locate, in all its forms, can usually be replaced by something less ugly. The missing scientist was located means he was found. The diplomats will meet at a secret location means either that they will meet in a secret place or that they will meet secretly. A company located in Texas is simply a company in Texas.

Millionaires: the time has gone when girls in the Bois de Boulogne would think that the term millionaire adequately described the man who broke the Bank at Monte Carlo. If you wish to use it, make it plain that millionaire refers to income (in dollars or pounds), not to capital. Otherwise try plutocrat or rich man.

Move: do not use if you mean decision, bid, deal or something more precise. But move rather than relocate.

One: try to avoid one as a personal pronoun. You will often do instead.

Phone: permissible, especially when preceded by mobile. But use sparingly, and generally prefer telephone.

Photo: not permissible, so use photograph.

Premier, as a noun, should be confined to the first ministers of Canadian provinces, German Länder and other sub-national states. Do not use it as a synonym for the prime minister of a country.

Proactive. Not a pretty word: try active or energetic.

Problem: the problem with problem is it is overused, so much so that it is becoming a problem word.

Proper nouns: if they have adjectives, use them. Thus a Californian (not California) judge, the Pakistani (not Pakistan) government, the Texan (not Texas) press.

Pry: use prise, unless you mean peer.

Relationship is a long word often better replaced by relations. The two countries hope for a better relationship means The two countries hope for better relations.

Relative: fine as an adjective, but as a noun prefer relation.

Rocketed, not skyrocketed.

Run. In countries with a presidential system you may run for office. In those with a parliamentary one, stand.

Same: often superfluous. If your sentence contains on the same day that, try on the day that.

Sector: try industry instead or, for example, banks instead of banking sector.

Simplistic: prefer simple-minded, naive.

-style: avoid German-style supervisory boards, an EU-style rotating presidency, etc. Explain what you mean.

Table: avoid it as a transitive verb. In Britain to table means to bring something forward for action. In America it means exactly the opposite.

There is, there are: often unnecessary. There are three issues facing the prime minister is better as Three issues face the prime minister.

Total: all right as a noun, but as a verb prefer amount to or add up to.

Venues: avoid them. Try places.

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