In AP Style, “A.D.” and “B.C.” are used to indicate specific periods in the Gregorian calendar. “A.D.” (Anno Domini) is placed before the year, while “B.C.” (Before Christ) is written after the year.
A.D. and B.C. are both abbreviations. A.D. is the abbreviation for anno Domini while B.C. is the abbreviation for before Christ. Both are widely accepted abbreviations that refers to specific calendar years.
Use of A.D.
The abbreviation A.D. for anno Domini means ‘in the year of the Lord’. If you are referring A.D. with a year specified, then you should write A.D. before that figure. For example,
• They ruled in the A.D. 740s.
Use of B.C.
The abbreviation B.C. refers to the years before Christ. Unlike A.D., if you are referring B.C. with a year specified, then you should write B.C. after that figure. For example,
• Some recent research suggests that the dating of Herod’s death might be up for debate and could be dated 1 B.C. (Bill Petro)
Notes:
- It is assumed to be A.D. or B.C. if there is no reference to any specific year after A.D. or before B.C.
- You cannot write ‘in the fifth century A.D.’ Simply, write ‘in the fifth century’ (without mentioning A.D.).
- However, in the above case, you should mention B.C. (i.e., 21st century B.C.).
When to Omit “A.D.” and “B.C.” in AP Style
These can often be omitted when referencing centuries or general time periods. For example, instead of writing “5th century A.D.,” you can simply use “5th century.”
The abbreviation is unnecessary when the century is clearly implied, and it helps to avoid redundancy. Similarly, for centuries in the B.C. era, writing “5th century B.C.” is acceptable without adding the “B.C.” after each year mentioned, as the context is clear.
Alternative Terms for “A.D.” and “B.C.” in Modern Writing
In recent years, the use of “CE” (Common Era) and “BCE” (Before Common Era) has become more popular, especially in academic and non-religious contexts. These terms are viewed as secular alternatives to “A.D.” and “B.C.” “CE” corresponds to “A.D.,” and “BCE” corresponds to “B.C.”
While they are widely accepted in many fields, it’s important to follow the specific guidelines of your publication or style guide. If using AP Style, “A.D.” and “B.C.” are preferred, but “CE” and “BCE” may be used if appropriate.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes when using these is incorrect placement. Remember, “A.D.” always precedes the year, such as in “A.D. 740,” while “B.C.” follows the year, like “740 B.C.”
Another common error is the unnecessary use of “A.D.” or “B.C.” when referencing centuries (e.g., “5th century A.D.”). It’s generally understood that centuries are A.D. unless specified otherwise.
Additionally, avoid redundant phrases like “HIV virus” (since HIV already stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus), as it creates repetition. Always ensure correct usage for clarity.
What Did We Learn?
According to AP Style. “A.D.” (Anno Domini) is placed before a year, while “B.C.” (Before Christ) follows the year. We also discovered that “A.D.” and “B.C.” can be omitted in certain contexts, especially when referring to centuries