Style Guide

F

faculty

  • Faculty members is preferred to faculty.

Correct: Faculty members are happy with the new policy.

Not preferred: The faculty is happy with the new policy.

 farther, further

  • Farther refers to linear or physical distance: He ran farther than the rest.
  • Further refers to extent or degree: She wants to further her academic studies.

 film

  • See titles.

 firsthand

  • One word.

 first names

  • Use only on first reference, coupled with last name: Edward Smith is a construction engineering professor at AUC.
  • Use only the last name on second reference: Smith likes the field of environmental engineering.

 fiscal year

  • Spell out fiscal year in documents for an external audience. Capitalize when referring to a specific year: Fiscal Year 2005.
  • FY may be used in financial tables and lists.

 follow up (v.), follow-up (n. and adj.)

  • We will follow up on the plan. This is a follow-up strategy. This procedure is a follow-up.

 foreign students

  • Do not use foreign students, use international students. There was a significant rise in the number of international students who enrolled at AUC this fall compared to last fall.

foreign words

  • Some foreign words have been universally accepted into the English language: bon voyage, alma mater, cum laude, versus. Use without explanation and do not italicize.
  • Many foreign words and their abbreviations are not understood universally and may be used in special cases, such as medical or legal terminology. If such words must be used, italicize and provide an explanation.

 forms, certificates, documents

  • Terms that are descriptive, such as admission application and course withdrawal form, should not be capitalized.
  • Capitalize the full, formal title of documents and certificates. Do not italicize or put in quotation marks: Individual Study Form, Repeat Policy Form, Transcript Request Form, Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships; International Advertising Association Diploma.

 freshman (sing.), freshmen (plural)

  • Freshman class, not freshmen class.
  • Do not use first-year student.
  • See classification, student.

 front page

  • Front page refers to the entry point of a Web site.
  • Do not confuse with home page, which refers to the default page on one’s browser or somebody’s personal Web site.

 full time (n.), full-time (adj.)

  • Hyphenate only when used as a compound modifier: He works full time. She is a full-time employee.

 fundraiser (n.), fundraising (n., adj.)

  • Fundraise is one word with no hyphen.
  • Follow the examples:
    • He is a capable fundraiser.
    • The fundraising committee is drafting its plan for the next year.
    • Fundraising is not an easy task.