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Subject:a.m., p.m./noon, midnight From:"Segal, Betty S." <bss3 -at- PHPMTS1 -dot- EM -dot- CDC -dot- GOV> Date:Sat, 24 Dec 1994 16:01:00 EST
_The Chicago Manual of Style_ says the following on this issue:
"Figures are used in designations of time with A.M. or P.M. . . .
at 4:00 P.M.
at 10:45 in the morning
11:30 A.M.
12:00 M. (noon)
12:00 P.M. (midnight)
eight o'clock
"Note that the abbreviations A.M. and P.M. (_ante_ and _post meridiem_) are
set in small caps with no space between them. This is a common American
style . . . . British practice is to use lowercase--a.m. and p.m.--an
alternative that is acceptable here also." (13th Edition, page 241)
_Word into Type_ gives similar advice, as does the GPO Style Manual and
Philip Rubens, editor of _Science and Technical Writing_.
I find it interest that all four of these references find it necessary to
insert a parenthetical _noon_ and _midnight_ after the abbreviation. At
first I assumed that the parenthetical word was explanatory and not to be
used generally, but with further consideration, I think it a recommended
part of the time designation. What do others think?
Sorry to be coming in a little late on this thread---since I am a digest
subscriber I waited to see if anyone would give this information on a timely
basis. ( I don't _think_ anyone did. )
Happy holidays.
Betty Segal -- bss3 -at- phpmts1 -dot- em -dot- cdc -dot- gov
Sr. Training Development Specialist (Instructional Editor)
