Q. We are debating in our office how to refer to our website when the URL appears at the beginning of the sentence. Would we capitalize the first letter (i.e., Www.abcd.com [address changed for this forum]) or not (i.e., www.abcd.com)? Are there any conventions around dropping the “www” (i.e., abcd.com)? If so, would we capitalize the first letter (i.e., Abcd.com)? What about all caps (i.e., ABCD.COM or WWW.ABCD.COM)?
A. We’d never write “Www”; instead, we’d rewrite. And if you’re referring to a website in running text, it’s sometimes okay to drop the “www” and capitalize the rest in a logical manner. For example, you can write about Apple.com or NYTimes.com. For more information and examples, see CMOS 8.193.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I could not find the term “dot-com” addressed, and I need to know how to capitalize
it and punctuate it. I have seen both dot.com, and dot-com. Which is correct? In capitalizing titles, is it Dot.com or Dot.Com
(in title headings, etc.)?
A. We write “dot-com”: dot-com fantasies. We do not write “dot.com”—that would read “dot
dot com.” In titles, capitalize the d and the c: “Mogul’s Dot-Com Dreams Leak Like RAM from a Cheap Chip.”
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I get so tired of reading about writers using their “spell-checkers” on their computers. Surely they mean “spelling-checkers” don’t they? I’ve always thought that only wizards use “spell-checkers”—what do you think? I love CMOS—read it all the time—I start browsing and I can’t stop! Thanks again for a great resource!
A. You could think of “spell-check” as convenient shorthand for “spelling checker” (links are to the entries for these terms in Merriam-Webster). We doubt that a wizard is responsible for the abbreviated term, though spell-checkers are pretty nifty.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I edit documents used in the healthcare informatics domain, where e-health, eHealth, e-community, e-practice, and other ever-growing variations on the “e-” are present. If the “e-” or the “e” plus a word begins a sentence, I am capitalizing that darn “e.” Otherwise, it looks very strange. Am I correct?
A. For hyphenated e-constructions, we agree:
So far, it has proved impossible to use an e-reader without some form of electricity.
E-readers have yet to replace paper books.
For a proper name, however, we leave things alone: eBay is always eBay, even at the beginning of a sentence.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Which is currently accepted: Web site, web site, website, or Website?
Q. Is there a proper format for creating an email?
A. Not usually. But if you’re writing formal correspondence and want some guidance, try The Gregg Reference Manual, a good resource for business usage.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. What is the plural of email when it’s used as a noun?
A. Use email (not emails) or email messages for the plural form of the noun (“she gets a lot of email”); except informally, emails is better reserved for use as a verb (“he emails reminders to himself”).
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]