Miscellaneous
Personal Pronouns
I is always the subject of the verb and me is always the object.
This doesn't change if there is mroe than one subject or object in a sentence.
If you are unsure whether to use I or me in this kind of sentence, try it without the other person's name and it will be clear which to use.
-self
All pronouns ending in -self and -selves are reflexive pronouns and are only used to refer back to the subject of the sentence. They can never be subjects of a sentence themselves.
Never use any of these pronouns as a more polite or formal way of addressing people, or if the subject of the sentence is different from the reflexive object (for example I must always be paired with myself).
Plural or singular
Use singular verbs for describing faculties, teams, groups and so on.
To disambiguate when talking about the members who make a up a group, use “the members of” or “each member of”, and use plural or singular verbs to describe them as appropriate.
Onto/on to and into/in to
"Onto" is a preposition meaning "to a position on the surface of".
If you use it to mean "onwards" or "towards" then always use "on to" instead.
"Into" is also a preposition, and should be used in front of a noun or pronoun to show place, time, direction or the way in which something is done. The most common uses of into are:
- to describe movement or action that results in someone or something becoming enclosed, surrounded by or in contact with something else
- towards the direction of something
- expressing a state of change
- showing the result of an action
- about to or relating to something
- used when dividing numbers
- used informally to mean actively interested in something
"In to" as separate words should be used when each word is fulfilling a different function.
Addresses, phone numbers and websites
URLs
Omit http:// unless the URL does not begin with www and omit any trailing slash at the end of the URL, unless the URL does not work without it – check before you omit (but ensure that any links in online documents trail the http:// so that they point to the correct place).
For secure websites, include the https://
Referring to webpages
Only capitalise the first word (and any proper nouns), but consider instead using the actual URL for disambiguation in print or hyperlinking the descriptive text. Never change the capitalisation within a URL.
Email addresses
These are case sensitive in the part before the @. er@nottingham.ac.uk isn't necessarily the same as ER@nottingham.ac.uk.
In practice, most ISPs and services ignore this distinction, but consider carefully whether to use upper case if requred to avoid ambiguity (such as with lower case l and the number 1).
Do not use the format "e:" followed by an email address. Only use the address itself. The format makes it obvious it is an email.
Phone numbers
Use spacing between parts of numbers (international code, area code, phone number) to make it easier to read.
Include the full area code (such as 0115) for national publications.
Include the international code for international publications and on the web (such as +44 115).
Mobile numbers follow the same format as above.
Do not use the format "t:" followed by a phone number. Only the phone number unless it is unusually unclear, and in such situations create a complete sentence.
Fax numbers are almost never required, and should not be included as a general rule. In unusual situations where they are still needed, do not use "f:".
Street addresses
Give the full address, including postcode, when writing to a primarily non-Nottingham audience (postcodes allow people to find buildings more easily online).
The event takes place at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD.
If writing for a local audience (such as for advertising a local concert), the name of a well-known building is enough on its own.
The event takes palce at the Theatre Royal at 8pm on Tuesday 14 July.
Return to The University of Nottingham Style Guide