Spelling
Spelling is the correct formation of words, abiding by common practice and the University's dictionary of reference (The Oxford English Dictionary).
The general rule
The University of Nottingham exclusively uses British English.
Use suffix "-ise/-yse/-isation" not "-ize/-yze/ization".
Retain "-e" where required for pronunciation.
Contractions are perfectly acceptable except in the most formal of contexts, such as formal committee meetings or official letters sent on behalf of the University.
Foreign and archaic spellings
Just use "e" or "ae" spellings, not the aesc/ash ligature, where in common modern British usage.
This remains true for technical words - do not use the ligature (the special character representing a combined vowel sound).
Use accents and different letters in foreign words only when:
- a word is still considered foreign and has not (yet) been absorbed into English
- they are required to differentiate from another word (in English or the source language)
- they are required as part of the name of a person, place, book etc
Don't use accents on capital letters.
Plurals
Use appropriate foreign (particularly ancient Greek and Latin) plural forms where still in common usage. Note that more than one plural form is sometimes in use for different meanings of a word.
Note that more than one plural form is sometimes in use for different meanings of the word.
formulas except in maths/chemistry when it is a formulae.
Proper names ending in "-y" do not change to "-ies" if pluralised.
There were three Marys at the meeting.
With compound words formed by a noun and an adjective, or two nouns connections by a preposition, pluralise the (more important) noun.
Word endings
When there are two options for a word ending in the form "-g" or "-gst" always use the former. "-gst" word endings sound outdated and archaic, especially to an internationally audience.
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