[U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual]
[Chapter 5 - Spelling]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 63]]

 
                              5. SPELLING

   (See also ``Compounding Examples'' and ``Abbreviations and Letter 
                               Symbols'')

  5.1. The Government Printing Office uses Webster's Third New 
International Dictionary as its guide for the spelling of words 
not appearing in the Manual. Colloquial and dialect spellings 
are not used unless required by the subject matter or specially 
requested. The tendency of some producers of computer-assisted 
publications to rely on the limited capability of some spell-
checking programs adds importance to the Manual's list.

Preferred and difficult spellings

  5.2. In addition to indicating the preferred forms of words 
with variant spellings, the list also contains other words 
frequently misspelled or causing uncertainty. (See also ``Word 
Division,'' a supplement to the Style Manual.)

    A
abattoir
aberration
abetter
  abettor (law)
abridgment
absorb (take in)
  adsorb
    (adhesion)
abysmal
a cappella
accede (yield)
  exceed (surpass)
accepter
  acceptor (law)
accessory
accommodate
accordion
accouter
accursed
acetic (acid)
  ascetic (austere)
acknowledgment
acousticam
adaptermit
adjurermp
adjusterace
ad nauseamghfare
advisernch
  advisor (law)
adz Valley
aegisolcano
affect (influence,
    v.)erway
  effect (result,
    finish, n., v.)
afterward(s)
  afterword
aging
aid (n., v.)
aide
aide-de-camp
albumen (egg)
  albumin
    (chemistry)
align
allottee
all ready
    (prepared)
  already
    (previous)
all right
altogether
    (completely)
  all together
    (collectively)
aluminum
ambidextrous
ameba
ampoule
analog
analogous
anemia
anesthetic
aneurysm
anomalous
anonymous
antediluvian
antibiotics (n.)
  antibiotic (adj.)
anyway (adv.)
anywise (adv.)
appall, -ed, -ing
appareled, -ing
aquatic
aqueduct
archeology
arrester
artifact
artisan
ascendance, -ant
ascent (rise)
  assent (consent)
assassinate
atheneum
attester
autogiro
awhile (for
    some time)
  a while (a short
    time)
ax
aye

    B
backward
baloney
    (nonsense)
  bologna
    (sausage)
bandanna
bargainer
  bargainor (law)
baritone
bark (boat)
barreled, -ing
bastille
bathyscaph
battalion
bazaar
behoove
beneficent
benefited, -ing
bettor (wagerer)
beveled, -ing
biased, -ing
blessed
bloc (group)
  block (grants)
blond (masc., fem.)
bluing
born (birth)
  borne (carried)
bouillon (soup)
  bullion (metal)
boulder
bourgeoisie
breach (gap)
  breech (lower
    part)
brier
briquet, -ted, -ting
Britannia
broadax
bronco
brunet (masc., fem.)
buccaneer
buncombe
bunion
bur
burned
bus, bused, buses, busing
butadiene


[[Page 64]]


    C
caffeine
calcareous
calcimine
caldron
calender (paper finish)
caliber
caliper
calk (spike)
  caulk (seal)
calligraphy
callus (n.)
  callous (adj.)
calorie
canceled, -ing
cancellation
candor
canister
cannot
canoeing
cantaloup
canvas (cloth)
  canvass (solicit)
capital (city, money)
  capitol
    (building)
carabao (sing., pl.)
carat (gem weight)
  caret (omission
    mark)
  karat (gold
    weight)
carbureted, -ing
carburetor
Caribbean
caroled, -ing
carotene
cartilage
caster (roller)
  castor (oil)
casual
    (informal)
  causal (cause)
catalog, -ed, -ing
cataloger
catsup
caviar
caviled, -er, -ing
center
centipede
cesarean
chairmaned
chaise longue
chancellor
channeled, -ing
chaperon
chautauqua
chauvinism
chiffonier
chile con carne
chili (pepper)
chiseled, -ing
chlorophyll
cigarette
citable
cite (quote)
  site (place)
clamor
climactic (climax)
  climatic
    (climate)
cocaine
coconut
cocoon
coleslaw
colloquy
colossal
combated, -ing
commenter
  commentor (law)
commingle
commiserate
complement
    (complete)
  compliment
    (praise)
confectionery
confidant (masc.,
    fem.)
  confident (sure)
confirmer
  confirmor (law)
conjurer
connecter
  connector (road)
connoisseur
consecrator
consensus
consignor
consulter
consummate
contradicter
control, -lable, -ling
converter
conveyor
cookie
coolie
cornetist
corollary
corvette
councilor (of
    council)
  counselor
    (adviser)
counseled, -ing
cozy
crawfish
creneled, -ing
crystaled, -ing
crystalline
crystallize
cudgeled, -ing
cyclopedia
czar

    D
darndest
debarkation
decaffeinated
decalog
defense
deliverer
  deliveror (law)
demagog
demarcation
dependent
descendant (n., adj.)
desecrater
desiccate
desuetude
detractor
develop, -ment
device
    (contrivance)
  devise (convey)
dextrous
diagramed, -ing
diagrammatic
dialed, -ing
dialog
diaphragm
diarrhea
dickey
dieresis
dieretic
dietitian
diffuser
dike
dilettante
dinghy (boat)
diphtheria
discreet (prudent)
  discrete
    (distinct)
disheveled, -ing
disk
dispatch
dissension
distention
distill, -ed, -ing, -ment
distributor
diverter
divorcee
doctoral
doctrinaire
doggerel
dossier
doweled, -ing
downward
dreadnought
dreamed
drought
dueled, -ing
duffelbag
dullness
dumfound
dwelt
dyeing (coloring)
  dying (death)
  
    E
eastward
ecstasy
edema
edgewise
electronics (n.)
  electronic (adj.)
eleemosynary
elicit (to draw)
  illicit (illegal)
embarrass
embed
embellish
emboweled, -ing
emboweler
emigrant (go
    from)
  immigrant (go
    into)
emigree
eminent(famous)
  imminent
    (soon)
employee
enameled, -ing
encage
encase
encave
enclasp
enclose
enclosure
encumber
encumbrance
encyclopedia
endorse, -ment
endwise
enfeeble
enforce, -ment
engraft
enroll, -ed, -ing, -ment
enshade
ensheathe
ensnare
ensure (guarantee)
  insure (protect)
entrench
entrepreneur
entrust
entwine
envelop (v.)
  envelope (n.)
enwrap
eon
epaulet, -ed, -ing
epiglottis
epilog
equaled, -ing
erysipelas
escaloped, -ing
escapable
esophagus
esthetic
etiology
evacuee
evanescent
eviscerate
evocative
exhibitor
exhilarate
exonerate
exorbitant

[[Page 65]]


expellent
expose (n.,
    exposure)
  expose (v., to
    lay open)
exsiccate
extant (in
    existence)
  extent (range)
extoll, -ed, -ing
eying
eyrie

    F
falderal
fantasy
farther (distance)
  further (degree)
favor
fecal
feces
fetal
fetish
fetus
fiber
fiche (microfiche)
filigree
finable
finagle
financier
fiord
flammable (not inflammable)
flection
fledgling
flexitime
flier
flotage
flotation
fluorescent
focused, -ing
forbade
forbear (endurance)
  forebear
    (ancestor)
foresee
forgettable
forgo (relinquish)
  forego (precede)
format, formatted,
  formatting
forswear
fortissimo
forward (ahead)
  foreword
    (preface)
fricassee

fuchsia

fueler

fulfill, -ed, -ing, -ment

fulsome

fungus (n., adj.)

funneled, -ing

furor

fuse (all meanings)
fuselage
fusillade

    G
gaiety
gaily
galosh
gamboled, -ing
garrote
gauge
gazetteer
gelatin
genealogy
generalissimo
germane
glamorous
glamour
glycerin
gobbledygook
goodbye
graveled, -ing
gray
grievous
groveled, -ing
gruesome
guarantee (n., v.)
  guaranty (n.,
    law)
guerrilla
    (warfare)
  gorilla (ape)
guesstimate
guttural
gypsy

    H
hallelujah
hara-kiri
harass
harebrained
healthful
  (for health)
healthy (with
  health)
heinous
hemoglobin
hemorrhage
heterogeneous
hiccup
highfalutin
hijack
homeopath
homogeneity
homolog
hors d'oeuvre
hypocrisy
hypotenuse

    I
idiosyncrasy
idyl
imminent
    (soon)
  eminent
    (famous)
impaneled, -ing
impasse
imperiled, -ing
impostor
impresario
imprimatur
inculcate
indict (to accuse)
  indite (to
    compose)
inequity
    (unfairness)
  iniquity (sin)
inferable
infold
ingenious
    (skillful)
  ingenuous
    (simple)
innocuous
innuendo
inoculate
inquire, inquiry
install, -ed, -ing, -ment
installation
instill, -ed, -ing
insure (protect)
  ensure
    (guarantee)
intelligentsia
interceptor
interment (burial)
  internment
    (jail)
intern
intervener
  intervenor (law)
intransigent (n., adj.)
iridescent
italic

    J
jalopy
jalousie
jerry-(built)
  jury-(rigged)
jeweled, -ing, -er
jewelry
judgeship
judgment
jujitsu
juxtaposition

    K
kerneled, -ing
kerosene
kidnaped, -ing
kidnaper
kilogram
knapsack
kopek
kumquat

    L
labeled, -ing
lacquer
landward
lath (wood)
  lathe (machine)
laureled
leukemia
leveled, -ing
leveler
liaison
libelant
libeled, -ing
libelee
libeler
license
licenser (issuer)
  licensor
    (grantor)
licorice
likable
lilliputian
linage (lines)
  lineage
    (descent)
liquefy
liquor
  liqueur
liter
livable
loath (reluctant)
  loathe (detest)
lodestar
lodestone
lodgment
logistics (n.)
  logistic (adj.)
louver
luster
lyonaise

    M
madam
Mafia
maim
maize (corn)
  maze
    (labyrinth)
maneuver
manifold
manikin
mantel (shelf)
  mantle (cloak)
manywise (adv.)
marbleize
marijuana
marshaled, -ing
marshaler
marveled, -ing
marvelous
material (goods)
  materiel
    (military)
meager
medaled, -ing
medalist
medieval
metaled, -ing
metalize

[[Page 66]]


meteorology
    (weather)
  metrology
    (weights and
    measures)
meter
mil (\1/1000\ inch)
  mill (\1/1000\
    dollar)
mileage
miliary (tuberculosis)
milieu
milk cow
millenary (1,000)
  millinery (hats)
millennium
minable
missilry
misspell
miter
moccasin
modeled, -ing
modeler
mold
mollusk
molt
moneys
monogramed, -ing
monolog
mortise
movable
mucilage
mucus (n.)
  mucous (adj.)
Muslim
mustache

    N
naphtha
Navajo
nazism
neophyte
niacin
nickel
Nisei
niter
nonplused
northward
Novocain
numskull

    O
obbligato
obloquy
ocher
octet
offal
offense
omelet
ophthalmology
opossum
orangutan
orbited, -ing
ordinance (law)
  ordnance
    (military)
organdie
overseas or oversea

    P
pajamas
paleontology
paneled, -ing
paraffin
paralleled, -ing
parallelepiped
parceled, -ing
partisan
pastime
patrol, -led, -ling
peccadillo
pedant (n.)
  pedantic (adj.)
peddler
penciled, -ing
pendant (n.)
  pendent (u.m.)
percent
peremptory
    (decisive)
  preemptory
    (preference)
perennial
periled, -ing
permittee
perquisite
    (privilege)
  prerequisite
    (requirement)
personal
    (individual)
  personnel
    (staff)
perspective
    (view)
  prospective
    (expected)
petaled, -ing

Pharaoh
pharmacopeia

phenix

phlegm

phony

phosphorus (n.)
  phosphorous
    (adj.)
photostated
pickax
picnicking
pipet
plaque
plastics (n.)
  plastic (adj.)
pledger
  pledgor (law)
plenitude
pliers
plow
poleax
pollination
pommeled, -ing
pontoon
porcelaneous
practice (n., v.)
precedence
    (priority)
  precedents
    (usage)
pretense
preventive
principal (chief)
  principle
    (proposition)
privilege
proffer
programmed, -mer,-ming
programmatic
prolog
promissory
pronunciation
propel, -led, -ling
propellant (n.)
  propellent (adj.)
prophecy (n.)
  prophesy (v.)
ptomaine
pubic (anatomy)
pulmotor
pusillanimous

    Q
quarreled, -ing
quartet
quaternary
questionnaire
queue

    R
raccoon
racket (all meanings)
rapprochement
rarefy
rarity
ratable
rational (adj.)
  rationale (n.)
rattan
raveled, -ing
reconnaissance
reconnoiter
recyclable
referable
refusenik
registrar
reinforce
relater
  relator (law)
remodeler
renaissance
reparable
repellant (n.)
  repellent (adj.)
requester
  requestor (law)
rescission
responder (electronics)
responser (electronics)
reveled, -er, -ing
rhyme, rhythmic
RIFing, RIFed, RIFs
rivaled, -ing
roweled, -ing
ruble

    S
saccharin (n.)
  saccharine (adj.)
sacrilegious
salable
sandaled, -ing
savable
savanna
savior
  Saviour (Christ)
scalloped, -ing
schizophrenia
scion (horticulture)
scurrilous
seismology
selvage (edging)
  salvage (save)
sentineled, -ing
separate (v., adj.)
sepulcher
seriatim
settler
  settlor (law)
sewage (waste)
  sewerage (drain
    system)
sextet
Shakespearean
shellacking
shoveled, -ing
shriveled, -ing
sideward
signaled, -ing
siphon
site (place)
  cite (quote)
sizable
skeptic
skillful
skulduggery
sleight (deft)
  slight (meager)
smolder
sniveled, -ing
snorkel
soliloquy
sometime
    (formerly)
  some time
    (some time
    ago)
  sometimes (at
    times)
southward

[[Page 67]]


spacious (space)
  specious
    (plausible)
specter
spirituous (liquor)
spirochete
spoliation
staunch
stationary (fixed)
  stationery
    (paper)
statue (sculpture)
  stature (height)
  statute (law)
stenciled, -ing
stenciler
stifling
stratagem
stubbornness
stultify
stupefy
subpoena, -ed
subtlety
succor
sulfur (also
    derivatives)
  sulfanilamide
  sulfureted, -ing
supererogation
surfeit
surreptitious
surveillance
swiveled, -ing
sylvan
synonymous
syrup

    T
taboo
tactician
tasseled, -ing
tattoo
taxied, -ing
technique
teetotaler
tercentenary
theater
therefor (for it)
  therefore (for
    that reason)
thiamine
thralldom
thrash (beat)
  thresh (grain)
threshold
tie, tied, tying
timber (wood)
  timbre (tone)
tinseled, -ing
titer
tonsillitis
tormenter
totaled, -ing
toward
toweled, -ing
toxemia
trafficking
trammeled, -ing
tranquilize(r)
tranquillity
transcendent
transferable
transferor
transferred
transonic
transponder (electronics)
transshipment
traveled, -ing
traveler
travelog
triptych
trolley
troop (soldiers)
  troupe (actors)
troweled, -ing
tryptophan
tularemia
tunneled, -ing
tunneler
turquoise
typify
tyrannical
tyro

    U
unctuous
unwieldy
upward
uremia
usable

    V
vacillate
valance (drape)
  valence
    (chemistry)
veld
veranda
vermilion
vicissitude
victualed, -ing
victualer
vilify
villain
visa, -ed, -ing
vitamin
vitrify
volcanism
voluntarism
votable
vying

    W
wainscoting
warranter
  warrantor (law)
warranty
weeviled, -ing
welder
westward
whimsey
whiskey, -s
willful
withe
woeful
woolen
woolly
worshiped, -er, -ing
    
    
    

Anglicized and foreign words

  5.3. Diacritical marks are not used with anglicized words.
abaca
aide memoire
a la carte
a la king
a la mode
angstrom
aperitif
applique
apropos
auto(s)-da-fe

blase
boutonniere
brassiere

cabana
cafe
cafeteria
caique
canape
cause celebre
chateau
cliche
cloisonne
comedienne
comme ci
  comme ca
communique
confrere
consomme
cortege
coulee
coup de grace
coup d'etat
coupe
creme
crepe
crepe de chine
critique
critiquing

debacle
debris
debut
debutante
decollete
dejeuner
denouement
depot
dos-a-dos
eclair
eclat
ecru
elan
elite
entree
etude

facade
faience
faux pas
fete
fiance (masc., fem.)
frappe

garcon
glace
grille
gruyere

habitue

ingenue

jardiniere
laissez faire
litterateur

materiel
matinee
melange
melee
menage
mesalliance
metier
moire

naive
naivete
nee

opera bouffe
opera comique

papier mache
piece de resistance
pleiade
porte cochere
porte lumiere
portiere
pousse cafe
premiere
protege (masc., fem.)
puree

rale
recherche
regime
risque (masc., fem.)
role
rotisserie
roue

saute
seance
senor
smorgasbord
soiree
souffle
suede

table d'hote
tete-a-tete
tragedienne

vicuna
vis-a-vis

[[Page 68]]


  5.4. Foreign words carry the diacritical marks as an 
essential part of their spelling.

a l'americaine
attache
beton
blesse
caleche
canada
canon
charge
charge d'affaires
conge
credit foncier
credit mobilier
cure
deja vu
detente
dona
entrepot
expose
longeron
manana
mate
mere
nacre
outre
passe (masc., fem.)
pate
pere
pina
precis
raisonne
resume
touche

Plural forms

  5.5. Nouns ending in o immediately preceded by a vowel add s 
to form the plural; nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant 
add es to form the plural, except as indicated in the following 
list.

albinos
armadillos
avocados
banjos
cantos
cascos
centos
didos
duodecimos
dynamos
escudos
falsettos
gauchos
ghettos
halos
indigos
infernos
juntos
kimonos
lassos
magnetos
mementos
merinos
mestizos
octavos
octodecimos
pianos
piccolos
pomelos
provisos
quartos
salvos
sextodecimos
sextos
siroccos
solos
tangelos
tobaccos
twos
tyros
virtuosos
zeros

   5.6. When a noun is hyphenated with an adverb or 
preposition, the plural is formed on the noun.
comings-in
fillers-in
goings-on
hangers-on
listeners-in
lookers-on
markers-up
passers-by
swearers-in
  5.7. When neither word is a noun, the plural is formed on the 
last word.
also-rans
come-ons
go-betweens
higher-ups
run-ins
tie-ins
  5.8. In forming the plurals of compound terms, the 
significant word takes the plural form.
Significant word first:
  adjutants general
  aides-de-camp
  ambassadors at large
  attorneys at law
  attorneys general
  billets-doux
  bills of fare
  brothers-in-law
  charges d'affaires
  chiefs of staff
  commanders in chief
  comptrollers general
  consuls general
  courts-martial
  crepes suzette
  daughters-in-law
  governors general
  grants-in-aid
  heirs at law
  inspectors general
  men-of-war
  ministers-designate
  mothers-in-law
  notaries public
  pilots-in-command
  postmasters general
  presidents-elect
  prisoners of war
  reductions in force
  rights-of-way
  secretaries general
  sergeants at arms
  sergeants major
  solicitors general
  surgeons general

Significant word in middle:
  assistant attorneys general
  assistant chiefs of staff
  assistant comptrollers general
  assistant surgeons general

[[Page 69]]


Significant word last:
  assistant attorneys
  assistant commissioners
  assistant corporation counsels
  assistant directors
  assistant general counsels
  brigadier generals
  deputy judges
  deputy sheriffs
  general counsels
  judge advocates
  judge advocate generals
  lieutenant colonels
  major generals
  provost marshals
  provost marshal generals
  quartermaster generals
  trade unions
  under secretaries
  vice chairmen
Both words equally significant:
  Bulletins Nos. 27 and 28
    not Bulletin Nos. 27 and 28
    but Bulletin No. 27 or 28
  coats of arms
  masters at arms
  men buyers
  men employees
  secretaries-treasurers
  women aviators

No word significant in itself:
  forget-me-nots
  hand-me-downs
  jack-in-the-pulpits
  man-of-the-earths
  pick-me-ups
  will-o'-the-wisps

5.9. Nouns ending with ful form the plural by adding s at the 
end; if it is necessary to express the idea that more than one 
container was filled, the two elements of the solid compound 
are printed as separate words and the plural is formed by 
adding s to the noun.

      five bucketfuls of the mixture (one bucket filled five 
        times)
      five buckets full of earth (separate buckets)
      three cupfuls of flour (one cup filled three times)
      three cups full of coffee (separate cups)

  5.10. The following list comprises other words the plurals of 
which may cause difficulty.

addendum, addenda
adieu, adieus
agendum, agenda
alga, algae
alumnus, alumni (masc.); alumna, alumnae (fem.)
antenna, antennas (antennae, zoology)
appendix, appendixes
aquarium, aquariums
automaton, automatons
axis, axes
bandeau, bandeaux
basis, bases
bateau, bateaux
beau, beaus
cactus, cactuses
calix, calices
cargo, cargoes
chassis (singular and plural)
cherub, cherubs
cicatrix, cicatrices
Co., Cos.
coccus, cocci
consortium, consortia
corrigendum, corrigenda
crisis, crises
criterion, criteria
curriculum, curriculums
datum (singular), data (plural,
  but singular in collective sense)
desideratum, desiderata
dilettante, dilettanti
dogma, dogmas
ellipsis, ellipses
equilibrium, equilibriums (equilibria, scientific)
erratum, errata
executrix, executrices
flambeau, flambeaus
focus, focuses
folium, folia
forum, forums
formula, formulas
fungus, fungi
genius, geniuses
genus, genera
gladiolus (singular and plural)
helix, helices
hypothesis, hypotheses
index, indexes (indices, scientific)
insigne, insignia
italic, italic
Kansas Citys
lacuna, lacunae
larva, larvae
larynx, larynxes
lens, lenses
lira, lire
locus, loci
madam, mesdames
Marys
matrix, matrices
maximum, maximums

[[Page 70]]


medium, mediums or media
memorandum, memorandums
minimum, minimums
minutia, minutiae
monsieur, messieurs
nucleus, nuclei
oasis, oases
octopus, octopuses
opus, opera
parenthesis, parentheses
phenomenon, phenomena
phylum, phyla
plateau, plateaus
podium, podiums
proces-verbal, proces-verbaux
radius, radii
radix, radixes
referendum, referendums
sanatorium, sanatoriums
sanitarium, sanitariums
septum, septa
sequela, sequelae
seraph, seraphs
seta, setae
ski, skis
stadium, stadiums
stimulus, stimuli
stratum, strata
stylus, styluses
syllabus, syllabuses
symposium, symposia
synopsis, synopses
tableau, tableaus
taxi, taxis
terminus, termini
testatrix, testatrices
thesaurus, thesauri
thesis, theses
thorax, thoraxes
vertebra, vertebras
  (vertebrae, zoology)
virtuoso, virtuosos
vortex, vortexes

Endings ``ible'' and ``able''

  5.11. The following words end in ible; other words in this 
class end in able.

abhorrible
accendible
accessible
addible
adducible
admissible
appetible
apprehensible
audible
avertible
bipartible
circumscriptible
coctible
coercible
cognoscible
cohesible
collapsible
collectible(s)
combustible
comestible
commonsensible
compactible
compatible
competible
compossible
comprehensible
compressible
conducible
conductible
confluxible
congestible
contemptible
controvertible
conversible
    (convertible)
  conversable
    (oral)
convertible
convincible
corrigible
corrodible
corrosible
corruptible
credible
crucible
cullible
decoctible
deducible
deductible
defeasible
defectible
defensible
delible
deprehensible
depressible
descendible
destructible
diffrangible
diffusible
digestible
dimensible
discernible
discerpible
discerptible
discussible
dispersible
dissectible
distensible
distractible
divertible
divestible
divisible
docible
edible
educible
effectible
effervescible
eligible
eludible
erodible
evasible
eversible
evincible
exemptible
exhaustible
exigible
expansible
explosible
expressible
extensible
fallible
feasible
fencible
flexible
fluxible
forcible
frangible
fungible
fusible
gullible
horrible
ignitible
illegible
immersible
immiscible
impartible
impatible
impedible
imperceptible
impermissible
imperscriptible
impersuasible
implausible
impossible
imprescriptible
imputrescible
inaccessible
inadmissible
inapprehensible
inaudible
incircumscriptible
incoercible
incognoscrible
incombustible
incommiscible
incompatible
incomprehensible
incompressible
inconcussible
incontrovertible
inconvertible
inconvincible
incorrigible
incorrodible
incorruptible
incredible
indefeasible
indefectible
indefensible
indelible
indeprehensible
indestructible
indigestible
indiscernible
indivertible
indivisible
indocible
inducible
ineffervescible
ineligible
ineludible
inevasible
inexhaustible
inexpansible
inexpressible
infallible

[[Page 71]]


infeasible
inflexible
infractible
infrangible
infusible
innascible
inscriptible
insensible
instructible
insubmergible
insuppressible
insusceptible
intactible
intangible
intelligible
interconvertible
interruptible
intervisible
invendible
invertible
invincible
invisible
irascible
irreducible
irrefrangible
irremissible
irreprehensible
irrepressible
irresistible
irresponsible
irreversible
legible
mandible
marcescible
misicible
negligible
nexible
omissible
ostensible
partible
passible (feeling)
  passable (open)
perceptible
perfectible
permissible
persuasible
pervertible
plausible
possible
prehensible
prescriptible
producible
productible
protrusible
putrescible
receptible
redemptible
reducible
reflectible
reflexible
refrangible
remissible
renascible
rendible
reprehensible
repressible
reproducible
resistible
responsible
reversible
revertible
risible
runcible
sconcible
seducible
sensible
sponsible
suasible
subdivisible
submergible
submersible
subvertible
suggestible
supersensible
suppressible
susceptible
suspensible
tangible
tensible
terrible
thurible
traducible
transmissible
transvertible
tripartible
unadmissible
uncorruptible
unexhaustible
unexpressible
unintelligible
unresponsible
unsusceptible
vendible
vincible
visible
vitrescible

Endings ``ise,'' ``ize,'' and ``yze''

  5.12. A large number of words have the termination ise, ize, 
or yze. The letter l is followed by yze if the word expresses 
an idea of loosening or separating, as analyze; all other words 
of this class, except those ending with the suffix wise and 
those in the following list, end in ize.

advertise
advise
affranchise
apprise (to inform)
  apprize (to appraise)
arise
chastise
circumcise
comprise
compromise
demise
despise
devise
disenfranchise
disfranchise
disguise
emprise
enfranchise
enterprise
excise
exercise
exorcise
franchise
improvise
incise
merchandise
misadvise
mortise
premise
prise (to force)
  prize (to value)
reprise
revise
rise
supervise
surmise
surprise
televise

Endings ``cede,'' ``ceed,'' and ``sede''

  5.13. Only one word ends in sede (supersede); only three end 
in ceed (exceed, proceed, succeed); all other words of this 
class end in cede (precede, secede, etc.).

Doubled consonants

  5.14. A single consonant following a single vowel and ending 
a monosyllable or a final accented syllable is doubled before a 
suffix beginning with a vowel.
bag, bagging
get, getting
red, reddish
rob, robbing
corral, corralled
input, inputting
format, formatting
transfer, transferred

    but
    total, totaled
    travel, traveled

[[Page 72]]


  5.15. If the accent in a derivative falls upon an earlier 
syllable than it does in the root word, the consonant is not 
doubled.
refer, reference
prefer, preference
infer, inference

Indefinite articles

  5.16. The indefinite article a is used before a consonant and 
an aspirated h; an is used before a silent h and all vowels 
except u   pronounced as in visual and o pronounced as in one.
a historic occasion
a hotel
a human being
a humble man
a union
an herbseller
an hour
an honor
an onion
an oyster

but
an H-U-D directive
a HUD directive
  5.17. When a group of initials begins with b, c, d, g, j, k, 
p, q, t, u, v, w, y, or z, each having a consonant sound, the 
indefinite article a is used.
a BLS compilation
a CIO finding
a GAO limitation
a WWW search

  5.18. When a group of initials begins with a, e, f, h, i, l, 
m, n, o, r, s, or x, each having a vowel sound, the indefinite 
article an is used.
an AEC report
an FCC (ef) ruling
an NSC (en) proclamation
an RFC (ahr) loan

  5.19. Use of the indefinite article a or an before a 
numerical expression is determined by the consonant or vowel 
sound of the beginning syllable.
an 11-year-old
a onetime winner
a III (three) group
an VIII (eight) classification
a IV-F (four ef) category (military draft)
a 4-H Club

Geographic names

  5.20. The spelling of geographic names must conform to the 
decisions of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). In the 
absence of such a decision, the U.S. Directory of Post Offices 
is to be used.

  5.21. If the decisions or the rules of the BGN permit the use 
of either the local official form or the conventional English 
form, it is the prerogative of the originating office to select 
the form which is most suitable for the matter in hand; 
therefore, in marking copy or reading proof, it is required 
only to verify the spelling of the particular form used. The 
Government Printing Office preference is for the conventional 
English form. Copy will be followed as to accents, but these 
should be consistent throughout the entire job.

[[Page 73]]

Nationalities, etc.

  5.22. The table beginning on page 233 shows forms to be used 
for nouns and adjectives denoting nationality.
  5.23. In designating the natives of the several States, the 
following forms will be used.
Alabamian
Alaskan
Arizonan
Arkansan
Californian
Coloradan
Connecticuter
Delawarean
Floridian
Georgian
Hawaiian
Idahoan
Illinoisan
Indianian
Iowan
Kansan
Kentuckian
Louisianian
Mainer
Marylander
Massachusettsan
Michiganian
Minnesotan
Mississippian
Missourian
Montanan
Nebraskan
Nevadan
New Hampshirite
New Jerseyan
New Mexican
New Yorker
North Carolinian
North Dakotan
Ohioan
Oklahoman
Oregonian
Pennsylvanian
Rhode Islander
South Carolinian
South Dakotan
Tennessean
Texan
Utahn
Vermonter
Virginian
Washingtonian
West Virginian
Wisconsinite
Wyomingite

  5.24. Observe the following forms:
      African-American
      Alaska Native (Aleuts, Eskimos, Indians of Alaska)
      Amerindian
      Native American (American Indian)
      Puerto Rican
      Part-Hawaiian (legal status)
  but part-Japanese, etc.

Native American words

  5.25. Words, including tribal and other proper names of 
Indian, Aleut, Hawaiian, and other groups, are to be followed 
literally as to spelling and the use of spaces, hyphens, etc.

Transliteration

  5.26. In the spelling of nongeographic words transliterated 
from Chinese, Japanese, or any other language that does not 
have a Latin alphabet, copy is to be followed literally.


[[Page 74]]

                            NOTES