"the EPA" or "EPA"?

[Pinkham, Jim]

For acronyms in lists or parenthetical references, there's no need for
the article. For a formal first reference, I'd say you need it: The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human
Services, etc. In other contexts, it varies. For instance, it's fine to
say, "according to EPA Administrator Steve Johnson." An article in this
syntax would sound stilted. Conversely, "according to Steve Johnson, the
EPA administrator." You could arguably omit the article here, too, but
it sounds better with it. On judgment calls like that, let your inner
ear help you judge. 

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim.pinkham=voith.com at lists.techwr-l.com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim.pinkham=voith.com at lists.techwr-l.com] On
Behalf Of Susan Hogarth
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 9:39 AM
To: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: "the EPA" or "EPA"?

Similarly, "the HHS" or "HHS", etc?

--
Susan Hogarth
http://www.colliething.com
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