News and Features

Usage Survey Respondents Lean Toward Tradition
from Writing That Works

E-mail whomps email.
Web site edges out website.
Whom comes back to win over who.
Data is sounds right to more people than data are.

So said 633 writers and editors who responded to the 11th annual usage survey conducted by Writing That Works, the print-only subscription newsletter on business writing and editing published by Communications Concepts, Springfield, Virginia.

This year's online survey tracked preferences on five computer-related terms and five editing issues. The self-selected respondents come from around the United States and Canada.

Trend Reversals?
Their responses indicated a more traditional approach than in earlier surveys, with two possible trend reversals. The first was the increasing popularity of Web site. In the last two surveys it had lost ground to website. This year 13% more respondents favored Web site than last year, and 11% fewer favored website.

The second was the comeback of whom, a word many think is disappearing from the language. In 1993, just 49% preferred the grammatically correct objective case. This year 58% did.

Yuk!
Many respondents expressed discomfort with their choices, particularly for computer mouses and mice, media as a singular or plural and none as a plural.

None of the 10 questions elicited consensus, but the great majority agreed writers can drop http:// when giving Web addresses in their print publications.

Want More?
The total percentages follow. To see a breakdown by style manual, go to http://www.writingthatworks.com/survey/results.php. You can also read respondents' comments on each question there.

AP and Chicago Remain Primary Style Manuals
from Writing That Works

Two manuals, The Associated Press Style Book and Libel Manual and The Chicago Manual of Style, have been the most popular in all 11 surveys. Approximately two-thirds of respondents use one or both.

AP takes honors as primary manual. Many respondents use different manuals for different materials, e.g., AP for press materials and Chicago for the annual report.

Associated Press 39%
Chicago 25
Employer's manual 13
Notes or nothing 10
Other 14