Ap Style Times

The Associated Press (AP) style is a widely used guide for journalists, writers, and editors to ensure consistency in writing, particularly when it comes to times and dates. When referring to times, the AP style provides specific guidelines to maintain clarity and coherence. According to the AP style, times should be written in a specific format to avoid confusion and ensure that the reader understands the intended time.

General Guidelines for Writing Times in AP Style

In the AP style, times are typically written in the 12-hour clock format, with a.m. and p.m. designations. The abbreviations “a.m.” and “p.m.” are used to distinguish between morning and afternoon times. For example, 3:00 in the morning would be written as 3 a.m., while 3:00 in the afternoon would be written as 3 p.m. It’s essential to use these designations to avoid ambiguity and ensure that the reader understands the intended time.

Specific Guidelines for Writing Times

When writing times, the AP style provides the following guidelines: - Use numerical values for times, rather than writing them out in words. - Use a colon (:) to separate the hour from the minutes. - Use single digits for hours, unless the time is in the 12-hour format, in which case the hour should be written with two digits (e.g., 03:00 p.m.). - Omit the colon and zeros for times on the hour (e.g., 3 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m.). The following table illustrates the correct format for writing times in AP style:

AP Style Times in Different Contexts

When writing about times in different contexts, such as sports, entertainment, or business, it’s essential to consider the specific guidelines and conventions used in those fields. For example, in sports, times may be written in the 24-hour format, while in entertainment, times may be written in a more casual format. The AP style provides guidance on how to write times in these contexts, ensuring that the reader understands the intended time and that the writing is consistent and clear.

Using Time Zones in AP Style

When writing about times in different time zones, it’s essential to specify the time zone to avoid confusion. The AP style provides guidelines on how to write times with time zones, including the use of abbreviations such as EST (Eastern Standard Time) or PST (Pacific Standard Time). For example, if an event is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. EST, it would be written as 3 p.m. EST, with the time zone specified to avoid ambiguity.

• Use the full name of the time zone on first reference (e.g., Eastern Standard Time).
• Use the abbreviation of the time zone on subsequent references (e.g., EST).
• Specify the time zone when writing about times in different zones.