CMoS 10.32: “US” versus “United States”

Posted byTheHumblePedantPosted inIndustry

In this new section of chapter 10 in the newly published 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, “US” may be used in regular running text in reference to the United States in both adjective and noun forms, “subject to editorial discretion and provided the meaning is clear from context.” Previous editions advised use of “US” in running text only in the adjective form (e.g., “I live in the United States” vs. “It was a US policy”) or in figures and tables and the like.

I’m not sure if this qualifies as earth-shattering news, but maybe it will make certain niche writers’ and copyeditors’ jobs slightly less tedious.

Published by TheHumblePedant

Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm a Central Florida native and longtime lover of words—typically other peoples' words, though I try to dabble myself from time to time. I grew from an annoying middle-schooler marking up the notes my friends passed me between classes with proofreading symbols in red pen to a person who gets to make money being pedantic at work. I also have an MS in psychology.

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