In AP Style am pm should be written in lowercase with periods and without additional words like “morning” or “evening.” To ensure clarity, avoid unnecessary zeroes and follow specific formatting guidelines for time references.
Ante meridiem (a.m.) is a Latin phrase which means before midday. On the other hand, post meridiem (p.m.) means after midday.
a.m. stands for = Ante meridiem
p.m. stands for = Post meridiem
What AP Style Suggests?
According to this particular style, you cannot capitalize the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. You should abbreviate ante meridiem and post meridiem with lowercase letters.
a.m. , p.m. = Correct
A.M. , P.M. = Wrong
For example,
• The presentation will be at 11 a.m.
Important Points to Remember:
1. You should not use unnecessary zeroes. Like,
11:00 p.m. (Wrong)
11 a.m. (Correct)
2. There is no need to write morning or evening with a.m. or p.m. For instance,
• Be ready at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. (Wrong)
• Be ready at 10 a.m. Tuesday. OR Be ready for Tuesday at 10 a.m. (Correct)
Formatting Time Ranges in AP Style
In AP Style, when writing time ranges, clarity and consistency are key. AP Style specifies that writers should avoid using dashes or hyphens to connect the start and end times of an event or period. Instead, use the word “to” to separate these times. This approach minimizes ambiguity and maintains a professional appearance.
- Correct Format: Always write time ranges with “a.m.” and “p.m.” following each time if the range crosses the midday threshold. For example, instead of writing “10-2 p.m.,” AP Style encourages “10 a.m. to 2 p.m.” This approach provides readers with a clear timeframe.
- Same Period Format: If both times in the range fall within the same period, only include “a.m.” or “p.m.” with the end time. For example, write “8 to 11 a.m.,” not “8 a.m. to 11 a.m.” This maintains clarity without repetition.
- Examples of Proper Formatting:
- “The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon.”
- “The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m.”
- “The store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
- Why Avoid Dashes: Using dashes, such as in “10-2 p.m.,” can create confusion and may appear unprofessional in formal writing. AP Style encourages spelling out “to” for readability and consistency across written materials.
Check Out: How Do We Write Time In AP Style?
Common Mistakes with a.m. and p.m. in AP Style
There are several frequent errors people make when using a.m. and p.m. in AP Style.
Using Unnecessary Zeros: In AP Style, there’s no need to add “:00” when indicating the top of the hour. For example, “10:00 a.m.” should be written as “10 a.m.” This prevents redundancy and keeps time references simple.
- Incorrect: “The meeting is at 10:00 a.m.”
- Correct: “The meeting is at 10 a.m.”
Improper Capitalization of a.m. and p.m.: AP Style dictates that a.m. and p.m. should always be written in lowercase letters with periods after each letter. Writing these terms in uppercase, such as “AM” or “PM,” is incorrect according to AP Style.
- Incorrect: “The event starts at 8:30 PM.”
- Correct: “The event starts at 8:30 p.m.”
Redundant Time Expressions: Phrases like “in the morning” or “in the evening” are unnecessary when a.m. or p.m. is already specified, as these terms inherently communicate whether it’s before or after noon. For instance, instead of saying “10 a.m. in the morning,” simply say “10 a.m.”
- Incorrect: “We’ll meet at 9 a.m. in the morning.”
- Correct: “We’ll meet at 9 a.m.”
Incorrectly Writing Noon and Midnight: AP Style advises against using “12 p.m.” or “12 a.m.” as these can be confusing. Instead, use “noon” and “midnight” for clarity.
- Incorrect: “The deadline is 12 p.m.”
- Correct: “The deadline is noon.”
What Did You Learn?
Writing times in AP Style requires careful attention to detail and consistency. By using lowercase “a.m.” and “p.m.,” omitting unnecessary zeros, and avoiding redundancies like “in the morning,” writers can produce clear, professional content that adheres to AP Style standards.
