I have a query for all of you literary- and writer-types. I am having an interesting debate with one of my colleague, so I have a stylistic concern.
I am seeking guidance on the appropriate spelling of the word online. Everything I have come across and my previous usage has it as one word, e.g., online. For example:
In our effort in writing a document for work, there are people who are insistent that the word is spelled on-line.
Does anyone have multiple definitive style guides for me to point these folks in the right direction? I obviously have some dictionaries that have it correct, but I am looking for a definitive style guide or two to truly “seal the deal.”
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I have NEVER seen that spelled on-line.
I believe that the style guide that I have to use, APA (American Psychological Association), spells it “online” as does the MLA (Modern Language Association). (I do know that the MLA definitely spells website, as “Web site.”)
See here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ Click on “Research and Citation” on the right sidebar.
danielle: Hell, the site you referenced even spells it as “online.” That said, I have seen it spelled as “on-line,” but that has been in reference to some device, server, or service as being on and/or responding to requests. It kind of has a very specific use, and it is similar to something being referred to as “off-line.” In these cases, the words are the same, but their spellings have different connotations.
In my technical writing world, the Bible we use for naming conventions regarding all things related to software and the internet is the “Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications.” If there is ever any debate about on-line/online, drop-down/dropdown, pop-up/pop up, log-in/login this guide settles it all. It’s well worth the $20. I know Amazon’s got it.
AH: I saw that when just doing a quick browse around. Of course, it just doesn’t answer my immediate concern. It might be a good book to have around, though.
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