Grammar Punctuation Protocol - 2023 Update (No DEI Section)

U S A G E

and date ranges. See Dashes , Page 9; Time Spans , Page 10.

In tables, it is permissible to make edits for stylistic purposes and to forgo periods in “a.m.” and “p.m.” for space. See Time , see Page 18. ZIP Codes Use ZIP codes only when soliciting correspondence. Mail forms to: City of Irvine, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606.

Correct Usage

10–11 a.m.

n

Incorrect Usage

10—11 a.m.

10-11 p.m.

n

n

Times of Day

Seasons

Use a.m. and p.m., lowercased with periods after each letter. Do not uppercase. Add a space between the hour or minutes. If using the words “from,” pair with the word”to” when listing a range of time.

Unless part of a formal title, lowercase all seasons (spring, summer, winter, and fall).

Time

Correct Usage

Figures Use figures except for Noon and Midnight, which should be capitalized. For formal invitations, it is ac- ceptable to spell out the time. n Event begins at seven o’clock (in the morning, afternoon or evening) n At a half past seven o’clock (in the morning, afternoon or evening) n From seven to eight o’clock (in the morning, afternoon or evening) For information about dates and times in formal invita- tions, see the City’s Event Protocol on the intranet. Hours and Minutes Use semicolons to separate the hours from the minutes. Do not use zeros if there are no minutes.

10 a.m.

10:30 p.m.

n

n

The meeting runs from 8 to 11 a.m.

n

Incorrect Usage

10 AM

10:30 P M

n

n

10 A. M .

10:30 P.M.

n

n

The meeting runs from 8-11 a.m.

n

Avoid Redundancies Do not repeat a.m. and p.m.

Correct Usage

10–11 a.m.

10–11 p.m.

n

n

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

n

n

Incorrect Usage

Correct Usage

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

10 p.m.–11 p.m.

n

n

7 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

n

n

10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

n

Incorrect Usage

Time Zones Do not use time zones when it is understood you’re referring to the time zone you’re currently in.

7:00 a.m.

n

Dashes Use a short dash (–) with no spaces between time

18

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