5 Ws and H
face-to-face (hyphenated as adjective preceding its noun; otherwise open, with no hyphens)
faculty (n; collective noun, implies a group)
fairy tale
WNWD lists this as an open compound (two words). Authors and editors of ILA materials should use this form, rather than the closed fairytale.
fan-fiction (adj.)
FAQ = frequently asked question(s)
faraway
far-off
fast-forward (v.)
fax (as a verb)
Use of fax as a verb ("Fax me the details by Friday") is acceptable in all but the most formal writing.
fax / Fax
Use the initial-capped Fax in column style only, that is, when capitalized Tel. and E-mail would also be appropriate. In running text, use fax. Do not use all capitals (FAX).
When the words email, tel., or fax are included in an address or contact line, they should be followed by a semicolon rather than by a colon. Thus, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; tel. 302-731-1600, ext. 292; fax 302-368-2449; email customerservice@reading.org (not tel.:, fax:, or email:)
federal
federal budget
federal government
feedback
feel bad / feel badly
Although some authorities disagree, most consider "to feel badly" a hypercorrect, nonstandard usage in such sentences as "I feel bad/badly about your accident." Association authors and editors are advised to use "to feel bad" instead.
few / little
Use few to describe items that can be counted. Thus, "Few books appeared on the shelves."
Use little to describe a mass or quantity that cannot be counted. Thus, "The classroom contained little reading material."
fewer / less
Use fewer to describe items that can be counted. Thus, "Fewer children were enrolled in the program, so fewer books were needed."
Use less to describe a mass or quantity that cannot be counted. Thus, "The classroom contained less reading material than one would expect."
field notes
field studies
field trip
fieldwork
Figure/figure
- a figure, the figure on page 4 (generic)
- the Figure (if only one appears in book, chapter, article, etc., references to it are capped)
- Figure 1 (as title, with numeral)
- Figures 2A and 2B
Figures/Tables
See Figures and Tables
fill-in-the-blanks (adj.)
filmmaker
filmmaking
fingerprint
firewall
first-come, first-served basis
first-grade / first grade
- As an adjective preceding the noun it modifies, first-grade is hyphenated. Thus, "a first-grade student", "a fifth-grade classroom", "third- and fourth-grade mathematics"
- As a noun, first grade is not hyphenated. Thus, "She teaches first and second grade."
first grader (n.)
As a noun equivalent of "a student in first grade," first grader is not hyphenated: "Our sample included 28 second graders and 28 fourth graders."
the First-Grade Studies
firsthand
First Nations (see also indigenous peoples)
first, second, third..., (not firstly, secondly...)
Fiscal years = FY2001, FY2002
flashcard
Flesch readability formula
flier (preferred over flyer)
flipchart
Florida Reading Association = FRA
flowchart
focused
focusing
folk art
folk dance
folklore
folk song
folk tale
WNWD lists this as an open compound. Authors and editors of ILA materials should use the open form, rather than the closed folktale.
follow up (v.)
[Note: up is not redundant but acts as a particle to give the verb phrase a special, idiomatic meaning, as "to continue toward completion."]
follow-up (n. or adj.)
foreword
Capitalize foreword if the word is used as the name of a part of a specific book (e.g., "In her Foreword to the volume, Alvermann states... "). Otherwise, lowercase (e.g., "Donna Alvermann would not contribute a foreword to a book whose methodology was suspect."). See book parts or sections.
formulas (not formulae)
a forum, the forum
forward (adv.)
FRA = Florida Reading Association
fragment-completion task
Frayer Model
free and reduced-price lunch (not reduced lunch)
frequently asked questions = FAQ
Fry readability graph
full time (n. or adv.): She works full time.
full-time (adjective preceding the noun): Teaching is a full-time occupation.
fun
Use of fun as an adjective (e.g., "a fun activity") is colloquial and should be avoided except in informal contexts.
fundraiser, fundraising
In February 2002 the Style Guide subcommittee voted to adopt the closed forms fundraiser and fundraising as standard. This change differs from m-w.com.
FY2001, FY2002 = fiscal years