The Associated Press (AP) style is a widely used guideline for writing and editing in the journalism and publishing industries. One of the key aspects of AP style is its approach to writing times, which is designed to be clear, concise, and consistent. In AP style, times are typically written in a specific format to avoid confusion and ensure that readers understand the intended time.
AP Style Guidelines for Writing Times
According to the AP stylebook, times should be written in the following format: numerals are used, with colons separating the hours from the minutes. For example, 2:30 p.m. is the correct way to write a time in AP style. The use of ante meridiem (a.m.) and post meridiem (p.m.) is also required to indicate morning and afternoon times, respectively.
Writing Specific Times
When writing times, AP style requires that noon and midnight be used instead of 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. For example, a meeting scheduled for 12 p.m. should be written as noon, while a meeting scheduled for 12 a.m. should be written as midnight. Additionally, AP style recommends using time zones to clarify the time of day, especially when writing about events that take place in different parts of the world.
| Time | AP Style |
|---|---|
| 2:30 in the afternoon | 2:30 p.m. |
| 12:00 at night | midnight |
| 12:00 in the daytime | noon |
Using Time Zones in AP Style
When writing about events that take place in different parts of the world, AP style recommends using time zones to clarify the time of day. For example, a news article about an event in London might use the phrase “10 a.m. GMT” to indicate the time of day in London. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that readers understand the intended time.
Common Time Zones
AP style recognizes several common time zones, including Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). When writing about events that take place in these time zones, AP style recommends using the corresponding time zone abbreviation to clarify the time of day. For example, a news article about an event in New York might use the phrase “10 a.m. EST” to indicate the time of day in New York.
- Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Central Standard Time (CST)
- Mountain Standard Time (MST)
- Pacific Standard Time (PST)
What is the correct way to write 12:00 p.m. in AP style?
+The correct way to write 12:00 p.m. in AP style is noon.
How do I indicate time zones in AP style?
+In AP style, time zones are indicated using the corresponding time zone abbreviation, such as EST for Eastern Standard Time or PST for Pacific Standard Time.
In conclusion, AP style provides clear guidelines for writing times, including the use of numerals, colons, and time zones. By following these guidelines, writers and editors can ensure that their writing is clear, concise, and consistent, and that readers understand the intended time.
