Style Guide for abelei by Nicole Terry Created May 24, 2017
abelei is a company started in 1981 that creates and distributes a wide range of flavors to businesses all around the world. abelei is based in the United States, but the company supplies flavors to “a growing number of global markets outside the [United States],� including various countries across multiple continents. They take pride in their expansive global reach and want to provide customers with the best service and products they can. Because of the global demand for flavors of all kinds, the need for clarity is as important as their need to provide high-quality products. The company's large quantity of international customers demonstrates a strong need for the use of global English. abelei does not currently use a style guide, but this in-house style guide is to be used in conjunction with the 16th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. The in-house style guide addresses style items specific to the needs of this company and its growing customer base; however, because this guide is not comprehensive, style items not addressed in this style guide should follow the guidelines given in The Chicago Manual of Style. This document was created to increase efficiency and consistency by providing a tool with which abelei can show their understanding and concern for their international customers, and a tool that can reinforce principles from The Chicago Manual of Style that may be repeatedly violated or depart from guidelines given in The Chicago Manual of Style. Principles of global English will be drawn from The Elements of International English Style by Edmond H. Weiss in order to increase meaningful communication between abelei and its customers.
Contents 1
Grammar and Usage 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8
2
Punctuation 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
3
Numbers, generally Ordinals Other punctuation with percents
Abbreviations 6.1 6.2 6.3
7
Titles and subheadings Pronunciation of company name
Numbers 5.1 5.2 5.3
6
Compound adjectives Adjectives used as adverbs Hyphenation with compound adjectives Contractions Redundancy and simplicity in sentence structure Complex sentences
Names and Terms 4.1 4.2
5
Serial comma Commas with appositives Paired Commas En dashes Em dashes Punctuation to introduce lists Long sentences with multiple types of punctuation
Spelling, Distinctive Treatment of Words, and Compounds 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6
4
Verbs, generally Phrasal verbs Adverbs, generally Adverbs ending in ly Subject-verb agreement Parallel structure Imperative mood Comprise, compose
Abbreviations, generally Abbreviation of United States Ampersands
Foreign Languages 7.1
Foreign words
1
Grammar and Usage
1.1 Verbs, generally. English words can acquire dozens of definitions. These types of words can easily confuse non-native English speakers and Weiss advises against using them in global English. Verb choice should be simple and clear. Verbs with many different meanings should not be used. Incorrect: The abelei flavor manufacturing lab is outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment. Correct: The abelei flavor manufacturing lab is equipped with top-of-the-line machinery.
1.2 Phrasal verbs. The use of phrasal verbs should be avoided, according to Weiss. Phrasal verbs can be difficult to decode if one is unsure of which words represent the verb in a sentence. Instead, replace phrasal verbs with simple, one-word verbs to increase clarity. If a phrasal verb has no equivalent one-word verb and must be used in a sentence, the phrasal verb should not be broken up. Incorrect: We continue to innovate cost-effective flavor combinations for clients around the world using flavors from our ever-expanding flavor library that includes today’s trending flavors, organic flavors, and others that succeed in setting food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and consumable products apart from the competition. Correct: We continue to innovate cost-effective flavor combinations for clients around the world using flavors from our ever-expanding flavor library, which includes today’s trending flavors, organic flavors, and other flavors. Our flavors consistently succeed in creating superior food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and consumable products.
1.3 Adverbs, generally. If adverbs do not contribute to the meaning of a word, phrase, or clause, they should be eliminated to avoid unnecessary wordiness. Incorrect: abelei operations are broadly capable of producing exactly what you approved, when you need it, in certifiably superior facilities. Correct: abelei operations are capable of producing exactly what you approved, when you need it, in superior facilities.
1.4 Adverbs ending in ly. Compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus an adjective or participle are not hyphenated either before or after a noun, since ambiguity is virtually impossible. (See Chicago 7.82; see 1.3 of this guide for general use of adverbs.)
Incorrect: abelei flavors is a privately-owned flavor solutions company established in 1981. Correct: abelei flavors is a privately owned flavor solutions company established in 1981.
1.5 Subject-verb agreement. The subject and verb in a sentence should always agree in person and number. (See Chicago 5.131.) Incorrect: Our flavorists are certified by The Society of Flavor Chemists, ensuring that your product’s flavor is in the hands of a talented, well-qualified team who are ready to efficiently meet your flavor objectives. Correct: Our flavorists are certified by The Society of Flavor Chemists, ensuring that your product’s flavor is in the hands of a talented, well-qualified team of professionals who are ready to efficiently meet your flavor objectives. or Our flavorists are certified by The Society of Flavor Chemists, ensuring that your product’s flavor is in the hands of a talented, well-qualified team that is ready to efficiently meet your flavor objectives.
1.6 Parallel structure. Elements of a series must be parallel in structure to increase clarity. (See Chicago 5.212.) Incorrect: View our complete flavors list or contact us for samples, to place an order, or product development inquiries. Correct: View our complete flavors list or contact us to request samples, place an order, or ask about product development.
1.7 Imperative mood. Avoid the use of imperative mood when possible, and avoid cases of implied you to avoid ambiguity. Incorrect: Browse abelei’s list of flavors by using the buttons above. Correct: You can browse abelei’s list of flavors by using the buttons above. Incorrect: In need of a custom flavor? Correct: Are you in need of a custom flavor? or Do you need a custom flavor?
1.8 Comprise; compose. Because these words get mixed up so frequently, avoid the use of comprise to increase clarity and simplicity. Rather than using the phrase comprised of, often is is correct to instead use composed of.
Incorrect: abelei is comprised of respected teams of experienced professionals who share a passion for creating delicious, application-specific flavors. Correct: abelei is composed of respected teams of experienced professionals who share a passion for creating delicious, application-specific flavors.
2
Punctuation
2.1 Serial comma. The use of the serial comma is helpful in avoiding ambiguity. It clearly separates items in a series. The serial comma should be used before the conjunction in every sentence that includes items in a series separated by commas. Incorrect: Delicious, functional, stable and economical flavors are the result of more than “mixology.” Correct: Delicious, functional, stable, and economical flavors are the result of more than “mixology.”
2.2 Commas with appositives. Appositives are words, abbreviations, phrases, or clauses that rename a noun. Appositives should be used only when their use is necessary for clarity. When appositives are used, they should be set off by commas if they are nonrestrictive (if the use of an appositive is not necessary for full understanding of the noun to which it is referring). Incorrect: abelei starts with you the customer. Correct: abelei starts with you, the customer. or abelei starts with the customer.
2.3 Paired commas. Commas help non-native English speakers see how phrases are grouped together. When words, phrases, or clauses are nonessential to the meaning of a sentence, they should be set off with commas. Incorrect: We work with North American and Global companies, large and small in these product categories. Correct: We work with North American and global companies, large and small, in these product categories.
2.4 En dashes. En dashes are often used to show ranges of numbers. They generally replace words such as “up to,” “through,” or “including.” However, these words should be spelled out to increase clarity. Avoid the use of en dashes. They should never be used in place of em dashes. (See 2.5 for use of em dashes.) Incorrect: The abelei flavor company provides delicious taste outside the U.S. wherever our services are required – from Europe to South Africa, across India, through Asia and around The Americas – abelei offers industry-best customer care in every global market.
Correct: The abelei flavor company provides delicious taste outside the U.S. wherever our services are required; from Europe to South Africa, across India, through Asia, and around the Americas—abelei offers industry-best customer care in every global market.
2.5 Em dashes. Em dashes are used to join clauses. They can replace commas, parentheses, or colons, but the use of em dashes should be avoided when possible to increase clarity and simplicity of sentences. Em dashes may be used when commas have already been used in a sentence, and the em dashes will create a most distinct separation between the elements surrounded by em dashes and the elements separated by commas. However, a sentence can often (and should generally) be separated into two smaller sentences instead. Incorrect: Our headquarters are located in North Aurora, Illinois—35 miles west of Chicago—for convenient shipping from coast to coast as well as overseas, with additional sales offices across the U.S. Correct: Our headquarters are located in North Aurora, Illinois, which is 35 miles west of Chicago. This location allows for convenient shipping from coast to coast as well as overseas, with additional sales offices across the United States.
2.6 Punctuation to introduce lists. When bulleted lists or checklists are introduced, the preceding sentence or clause should end with either a period (if the meaning remains clear) or a colon. Incorrect: Please let us know the regions in which you need assistance □ North America □ Central and South America □ Asia □ Europe □ Middle East □ Africa Correct: Please let us know in which of the following regions you need assistance: □ North America □ Central and South America □ Asia □ Europe □ Middle East □ Africa or Please let us know the regions in which you need assistance. □ North America □ Central and South America □ Asia □ Europe □ Middle East □ Africa
2.7 Long sentences with multiple types of punctuation. Sentences should generally be kept short. If the use of multiple types of punctuation becomes necessary in a sentence, the sentence should be broken up to increase clarity and simplicity. Incorrect: Our headquarters are located in North Aurora, Illinois—35 miles west of Chicago—for convenient shipping from coast to coast as well as overseas, with additional sales offices across the U.S. Correct: Our headquarters are located in North Aurora, Illinois, which is 35 miles west of Chicago. This location allows for convenient shipping from coast to coast as well as overseas. We also have additional sales offices across the United States.
3
Spelling, Distinctive Treatment of Words, and Compounds
3.1 Compound adjectives. Avoid the use of compound adjectives when possible. (See 3.3 for hyphenation with compound adjectives.) Incorrect: Our women-owned flavor company specializes in creating greattasting sweet brown, citrus fruit, soft fruit and other top-note flavors perfect for foods, beverages, dairy, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceutical applications. Correct: Our flavor company specializes in creating delicious sweet brown, citrus fruit, soft fruit and other quality flavors perfect for foods, beverages, dairy, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceutical applications.
3.2 Adjectives used as adverbs. Avoid using adjectives in place of adverbs, or where an adverb is intended. Incorrect: Hear it direct from our customers in our testimonials. Correct: Hear it directly from our customers in our testimonials.
3.3 Hyphenation with compound adjectives. Compound adjectives should be used sparingly (see 3.1 for use of compound adjectives.), but if simple compound adjectives are used clearly, they should be hyphenated when placed before a noun. However, when closed compounds formed with prefixes are used, it is better to include the hyphen to increase clarity. (See Chicago 7.85 for hyphenation table.) Incorrect: The abelei flavor manufacturing lab is outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment, allowing us to create great tasting prototypes just for you. Correct: The abelei flavor manufacturing lab is outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment, allowing us to create great-tasting prototypes just for you. or The abelei flavor manufacturing lab is outfitted with excellent equipment, allowing us to create delicious prototypes just for you. (preferred)
3.4 Contractions. Avoid the use of contractions when possible. Shortened forms of words are difficult for non-native English speakers to understand, and combining shortened words into contractions adds another confusing layer for non-native English speakers to decode. Words should be spelled out in full to increase clarity. Incorrect: Contact us to discuss how we’ll help turn your product into an enduring market success.
Correct: Contact us to discuss how we will help turn your product into an enduring market success.
3.5 Redundancy and simplicity in sentence structure. Weiss says that redundancy should be avoided whenever possible. If something is implied later in the sentence, one of the two items should be removed in order to create shorter sentences and increase clarity. Incorrect: The abelei flavor company provides delicious taste outside the U.S. wherever our services are required – from Europe to South Africa, across India, through Asia and around the Americas. Correct: The abelei flavor company provides delicious taste wherever our services are required, anywhere in the world. or The abelei flavor company provides delicious taste anywhere in the world.
3.6 Complex sentences. Avoid complex sentences; make sentences as clear as possible. Weiss encourages the use of shorter sentences and explains that shorter sentences are helpful for both native and non-native English speakers. Sentences should especially be shortened if wordiness causes meaning to be lost. If a complex sentence can be made simpler, it should be. Incorrect: Next to flavor creation, the other half of our role as flavor manufacturer is to perfectly apply flavors to a product base—whether flavoring food, beverage, confection, or any other product. Correct: Our role as a flavor manufacturer is to create flavors, and to perfectly apply flavors to a product base—whether flavoring food, beverage, confection, or any other product.
4
Names and Terms
4.1 Titles and subheadings. It can be difficult for non-native English speakers to understand stylistic decisions, such as keeping titles and subheadings lowercased. Titles and subheadings, especially written as fragments, should be written in headline style to increase clarity. Incorrect: The abelei flavors story, services & history Correct: The abelei Flavors Story, Services, and History
4.2 Pronunciation of company name. Because the company's name is derived from a foreign word, the pronunciation must be made clear. When pronunciation appears in a complete sentence, pronunciation should be clearly divided with hyphens and enclosed in parentheses. When it appears as a fragment or bullet point, the pronunciation does not need to be enclosed in parentheses, but should be divided with hyphens and preceded by the word “pronounced.” Pronunciation should be consistent throughout all of the company's texts, whether online or in print. Incorrect: The word abelei (pronounced ah-bah-lay) comes from the Italian word "abile" meaning clever and capable. (from website) and Founded in 1981 as U.S. Ingredients; reorganized in 2003 as abelei - “abile” (It.): clever & capable; pronounced ah-bel-lay (from brochure) Correct: The word abelei (pronounced ah-bel-lay) comes from the Italian word "abile," meaning clever and capable. and Founded in 1981 as U.S. Ingredients; reorganized in 2003 as abelei—“abile” (It.): clever and capable; pronounced ah-bel-lay
5
Numbers
5.1 Numbers, generally. Numbers less than 10 should be spelled out in full. Numbers 10 or greater should be expressed numerically to avoid confusion. In addresses, all numbers should be expressed numerically. (See Chicago 9.3.) Incorrect: Proceed 1 mile (to first stop sign) and turn RIGHT onto Alder Dr. Correct: Proceed one mile (to first stop sign) and turn RIGHT onto Alder Dr.
5.2 Ordinals. Ordinal numbers less than 10 should be spelled out. (See Chicago 9.6; see 5.1 in this guide.) Incorrect: Annual 3rd Party Audit scores from the last three years are all 98+%. Correct: Annual Third Party Audit scores from the last three years are all 98+%.
5.3 Other punctuation with percentages. If other punctuation must be used with percentages because that information is necessary, the punctuation should be replaced with words if possible. Incorrect: Annual Third Party Audit scores from the last three years are all 98+%. Correct: Annual Third Party Audit scores from the last three years are all 98% or higher.
6
Abbreviations
6.1 Abbreviations, generally. Avoid the use of abbreviations. Weiss informs us that shortened forms of words can be difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. Abbreviations should be spelled out in full to increase clarity. (see 6.2 for an exception to this rule.) Incorrect: Organic, Natural, Nature Identical, Nat. & Art, Artificial Correct: Organic, Natural, Nature Identical, Natural and Artificial, Artificial
6.2 Abbreviation of United States. When used as a noun, “United States� should be spelled out in full. When used as an adjective, United States may be abbreviated as US, capitalized, and with no punctuation around the letters. Incorrect: As a flavor supplier and manufacturer based in the U.S., abelei is comprised of respected teams of experienced professionals. Correct: As a flavor supplier and manufacturer based in the United States, abelei is comprised of respected teams of experienced professionals.
6.3 Ampersands. The use of the ampersand should be avoided. Use and instead to maintain consistency. Incorrect: Organic, Natural, Nature Identical, Nat. & Art, Artificial Correct: Organic, Natural, Nature Identical, Natural and Artificial, Artificial
7 7.1
Foreign Languages
Foreign words. Foreign words should be italicized for clarity. Incorrect: The word abelei (pronounced ah-bah-lay) comes from the Italian word “abile� meaning clever and capable. Correct: The word abelei (pronounced ah-bah-lay) comes from the Italian word abile, meaning clever and capable.