Maintain consistency throughout all documents by using these preferred spellings of words and phrases that have various forms.
| Term | Notes |
|---|---|
| case-sensitive | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| check box (n.) | Two words, no hyphens |
| color-coded | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| distractors | Not distracters |
| dropdown (adj.) | No hyphenation. Do not use as a
noun.
DO Click Start in the dropdown list. |
| eBook | Not ebook or eTextbook |
| edition | Capitalize only as part of a title |
| Capitalize as shown, no hyphens | |
| fill-in-the-blank (adj.) | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| full-screen (adj.) | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| gray | Not grey. Use standard American spelling |
| higher education | Use lowercase. Can be shortened to higher ed (no period) |
| internet | Use lowercase |
| matrices | Not matrixes. Prefer American plurals except for specific words |
| multimedia | No hyphens |
| multiple-choice (adj.) | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| peer-reviewed | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| percent | Numerals or words |
| plug-in (adj.) | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| plugin (n.) | No hyphens: Remove the Flash plugin. |
| plug in (v.) | Two words: Plug in the cord. |
| pop-up | Prefer window, but allowable to use pop-up with a hyphen as either a noun or adjective |
| re-enroll | Hyphenate |
| sign-in (adj.) | Not login. Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| sign in (v.) | Not log in |
| sign-out (adj.) | Not logout. Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| sign out (v.) | Not log out |
| single sign-on | Hyphenate as shown. Microsoft Style Guide: single sign-on (SSO) |
| syllabi | Not syllabuses. Prefer American plurals except for specific words |
| time-saving | Follow hyphenation rules for compound modifiers |
| username | One word, no hyphens |
| web | Use lowercase |
| webinar | Use lowercase. Don't use webcast. |
| website | One word, no hyphens, lowercase |
| whiteboard | One word, no hyphens, lowercase |
| white paper | Two words, no hyphens, lowercase (per AP) |
General rules
In addition to the listed terms, apply the following general rules.