How do I provide original publication information?

Section 5.108 of the MLA Handbook gives examples of how original publication information can be provided as a supplemental element in a works-cited-list entry. But… Read More

How do I punctuate elliptical constructions?

Elliptical constructions occur when you write two related independent clauses, typically separated by a semicolon, and you omit a word or words from the second… Read More

How do I style labels?

If a label is quotation from a source, enclose the label in quotation marks: The dictionary entry includes the label “French phrase.” Likewise, use quotation… Read More

How do I cite a quotation I include in a title or heading?

Quoted material must be attributed wherever it occurs. In your prose, this generally means including an in-text citation or endnote in due proximity to the… Read More

If an author’s name in my source is in all capital or lowercase letters, how should I style it in my paper?

In prose and works-cited-list entries, the first and last names of authors should begin with a capital letter. All other letters should be lowercase. Let’s… Read More

What is the difference between fewer and less?

Use the adjective fewer to describe countable items; otherwise, use the adjective less. And here’s a tip: in general, if the noun is plural, use… Read More

Are scientific laws, theories, and terms capitalized?

Scientific laws, theories, and terms are lowercased except when preceded by a proper adjective. Read More

Is it OK to split an infinitive?

Yes, generally. An infinitive is the to form of a verb: to go, to be. Writers are often taught to avoid splitting infinitives—that is, to avoid placing a… Read More

How do I refer to a work I coauthored?

If you refer to a work that you wrote in collaboration with another author or with other authors, refer to yourself in either the first… Read More

Should I use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun?

Collective nouns, like team, family, class, group, and host, take a singular verb when the entity acts together and a plural verb when the individuals… Read More