UCLA Gateway

compose

means to put together, to be made up of.

• The jury is composed of seven Latinos, an Asian-American man and four Caucasian women.

comprise

means to encompass, to contain, to embrace, to include all. It does not take “of”:

• The jury comprises people of several races

curriculum vitae

curriculum vitae; vitae; C.V.; resume; vita

A summary of one’s personal history and professional qualifications, often submitted by a job applicant

Singular: curriculum vitae

Plural: curricula vitae

Abbreviation: CV

ensure

ensure; insure; assure

To make certain of; to make sure of

• We’re working extra hours now to ensure that our team will meet the deadline next week.

foreign words and phrases

that have been adopted into the English language are not italicized and are not enclosed by quotation marks. Refer to a dictionary if you are unsure.

• fait accompli, karaoke

insure

insure; assure; ensure

to contract to be paid money in the case of loss

• UCLA offers a benefit that enables you to insure against accidental injury or loss of life.

more than, over

“Over” generally refers to spatial relationships:

• The plane flew over the city.

It can, at times, be used with numerals but “more than” is better suited:

• She is over 30.
• Their salaries went up by more than $20 a week.

non-

(see capitalization)

UCLA common usage often includes the hyphen in words with the prefix “non.” When “non” is used as part of a hyphenated word in a title, use an initial cap only.

• Non-vendor
• Non-cash

policy

policies

I n Related Links or text links, use an initial cap on “policy” only if it appears in the title of the page linked to.

Styles and capitalization

To indicate UCLA and UC official policy

• UCLA Professional Development policy
• UC Professional Development policy
• Policy: Use of University Properties

Summarize several policies with an abbreviate.

• 40/Vacation policy

To paraphrase or describe a policy instead of using the policy’s official name:

• UC policy Relocation policy

re-create

because “recreate” should be reserved for fun (recreation).

resume

resume; vita;

curriculum vitae

In usage, be careful not to place the word where it could be mistaken by the reader as the verb “resume.”

said

In a quotation, newspaper style traditionally places “said” after the name of the person quoted, not before: “Kelly said”, not “said Kelly.” But inversion is allowed when the speaker’s name is followed by an identifier: “He reminds me of a cosmic J. Edgar Hoover,” said Kelly, director of the center.

spelling

For word spellings, consult these references in order:

• UCLA Style Guide for Web Writers
• The Associated Press Stylebook
• Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition

Notes:

• The spellchecker in Word uses a different dictionary, so double-check with Webster’s if you aren’t sure.
• When the dictionary lists multiple choices for word spellings (e.g., “canceled” and “cancelled”), use the first-listed spelling.
• If Webster’s provides different spellings in different listings, (e.g., “tee shirt” and “T-shirt), use the spelling that appears with the full definition (“T-shirt”).

sub-

[confirm with Finance]

Use a hyphen in these cases:

• Sub-award
• Sub-fund
• Sub-account

that vs. which

In the broadest terms, the general rule is: Use “that” with dependent clauses that are essential to meaning; use “which” with independent clauses, which are set off by commas.

• The bit of information that really turned the case around was the glove. (The dependent clause, “that really turned the case around,” is essential to the meaning of the sentence.)
• The glove information, which really turned the case around, was presented early in the trial. (The fact that the information turned the case around is an additional thought, an independent clause.)

voice mail

Use two words (voice mail) instead of one (voicemail).

which, that, who, whom

For more details, see the “that (conjunction),” “that, which, who, whom (pronouns),” “who, whom” and, especially, the “essential clauses, nonessential clauses” entries in the AP Stylebook.

• Use “which” and “that” to refer to inanimate objects and animals without a name.
• Use “who” and “whom” to refer to people and animals with names (Casey and Spirit, who are golden retrievers, would be well behaved at work.).
• Generally, use “which” in nonessential clauses—clauses that could be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence (The policy, which was about attendance, was incorrect.). Nonessential clauses are usually set off by commas.
• Generally, use “that” in essential clauses—clauses that can’t be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence (The policy that was about attendance was incorrect.).
• Use “who” as the subject of a sentence, clause, or phrase (Speak to the staff member who is in charge).
• Use “whom” as the object of a verb or preposition. Avoid the use of “whom” as much as possible because it sounds stiff and formal instead of conversational.