View source for Template:Uw-mos1/reasons

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This page is a configuration page for {{t|uw-mos1}}. It provides the content added to the message emitted by {{t|uw-mos1}} when param {{para|longissue}} is used.

== Introduction ==
<noinclude>{{toc right|limit=2}}</noinclude><!--{{excerpt}}ed from [[WT:WARN]]-->

This page contains brief summaries of about two hundred of the most {{tooltip|frequently used shortcuts|How was the list of MOS shortcuts listed here chosen? See: 'Template:Uw-mos1/worksheet#Where did the list of shortcuts come from?'}} of the [[Wikipedia:Manual of style]]. These MOS summaries may be added to the message emitted by the {{t|uw-mos1}} template via the {{para|longissue}} parameter in order to include detail about a specific MOS shortcut into the message placed on a User talk page.

Using an invocation like:
: {{tlsc|uw-mos1|longissue{{=}}MOS:APOSTROPHE}}
will emit the standard text of the uw-mos1 message, along with the summary text <includeonly>from a [[Template:Uw-mos1/reasons|config page]]</includeonly><noinclude>from section {{slink||MOS:APOSTROPHE}} below</noinclude> inserted at the end of the message, right before the {{xt|Thank you}}. An example:
{{cot|bg=khaki|Example showing result of {{tlsc|uw-mos1|longissue{{=}}MOS:APOSTROPHE}}:}}
{{uw-mos1|longissue=MOS:APOSTROPHE|nosubst=yes}}
{{cob}}

The value of param {{para|longissue}} (or its alias, {{para|long}}) can be any MOS shortcut corresponding to one of the values in the boxed, compact table of contents [[#List of MOS issues|below]]. Click any value in the box to see what would be inserted into the uw-mos1 message if you choose a shortcut corresponding to that value for param <code>longissue</code>.

== Adding a new section ==

When considering adding a new section to the list, please beware of bloat: keep in mind that the [[#List of MOS issues|§&nbsp;list of MOS issues]] shown below is not an exhaustive list of <span class=plainlinks>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=MOS%3A+onlyredirects%3A&title=Special%3ASearch&profile=default&fulltext=1&sort=title_natural_asc all MOS shortcuts]</span>, but only a small fraction of them<!-- about one seventh-->. Entries in the list correspond to the MOS shortcuts [[Template:Uw-mos1/worksheet#Where did the list of shortcuts come from?|most commonly used]] by editors in conjunction with a substed uw-mos1 message on user talk pages.

When adding a new section to this page or modifying an existing one, please note the following '''important point:''' the Manual of Style is a [[WP:PG|Wikipedia guideline]] and has a certain amount of [[WP:CONS|community consensus]] behind it. This template subpage has no consensus (or at best, maybe [[WP:LOCALCONSENSUS]], some day).

Therefore, anything you add here should either be '''copied word for word''' from portions of the Manual of style, or should '''very faithfully summarize''' content in a MOS page. This is not the place to add your interpretation of MOS, or how it ought to be. If in doubt about what wording may be used in a summary, you can always just punt and say, "{{xt|The Wikipedia Manual of style has guidance on the use of Foo, Bar, and Baz; see <nowiki>[[MOS:FOO]]</nowiki> for details}}", otherwise, please raise your concerns at [[WT:WARN]], the designated Talk page for this, and all user warning templates.

Keep in mind that the snippets below are appended to the message emitted by template {{t|uw-mos1}} on the user's Talk page. Snippets should provide enough information to explain to the user what they did wrong and what MOS principle applies, but not too long—a couple of sentences usually suffices. In most cases, the snippet should end with "{{xt|See &#91;[MOS:''Shortcut'']&#93;}}", or the last sentence should include the [[Help:Pipe|unpiped link]].

To create a new section, either copy an existing section (or the model in hidden text) and modify as needed, or use the blue button:
<!-- --------------- COPY-PASTE MODEL -------------------------------
===MOS:BASKETWEAVING===
<noinclude>{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:BASKET-WEAVING}}, {{slink||MOS:BASKETCRAFTS}}</noinclude>
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style/SOMEPAGEHERE|extensive guidance]] on weaving baskets. Verbatim copy from MOS:SOMESHORTCUT here, or a faithful summary of the most important points. See [[MOS:BASKETWEAVING]].
--------------------- END COPY-PASTE  ---------------------------- -->
<div style="text-align:center">
{{Edit
  |1=Template:Uw-mos1/reasons
  |2={{clickable button|Create new section|color=blue|link=no}}
  |section=new
  |editintro=Template:Uw-mos1/reasons/New section instructions
  |preload=Template:Uw-mos1/reasons/New section preload
  |tooltip=Click to create 'Template:Uw-mos1/reasons#MOS:BASKETWEAVING'
}}
<span style="padding:0 1.4em"></span>
{{Edit
  |1=Template:Uw-mos1/reasons
  |2={{clickable button|Create duplicate section |link=no}}
  |section=new
  |editintro=
  |preload=Template:Uw-mos1/reasons/Duplicate shortcut preload
  |tooltip=Click to create a duplicate shortcut, e.g. 'MOS:IMGSIZE' for 'MOS:IMAGESIZE'
}}
</div>
Clicking the blue button will open an edit window preloaded with a model you can modify, along with instructions for creating a new section for some MOS issue. Clicking the gray button is for adding a duplicate section for the case where two shortcuts identify the same content in MOS. For example, you might want to create duplicate section {{slink||MOS:IDIOM}} to emit the identical text as {{slink||MOS:CLICHE}} when you already have the latter. (You can consult a list of <span class=plainlinks>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=MOS%3A+onlyredirects%3A&title=Special%3ASearch&profile=default&fulltext=1 all MOS shortcuts], or a [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?limit=100&fulltext=1&profile=default&search=Wikipedia%3A+hastemplate%3Ashortcut+insource%3A%2F%5C%7B%5C%7Bshortcut%5C%7C%5B%5E%7D%5D%2B%7D%7D%2F+prefix%3AWikipedia%3AManual+of+style&title=Special%3ASearch&sort=title_natural_asc non-exhaustive list of wikicode snippets]</span> <!-- non-exhaustive, because each style page may usually has many {{shortcut}} templates on it, but this link shows only the first one on each page so is very incomplete.--> containing {{tlx|shortcut}} code.)

In either case, when you save a new or duplicate section, it adds it to the bottom of the page. You can move it into alphabetical order after you save it.
__NOTOC__

== List of MOS issues ==
{{ombox
| type      = notice
| style     = width:480px;margin:4px auto;
| textstyle = color:#0D0252; text-align:center; padding-right:3em; font-weight:bold;
| text      = '''Note:''' This page is not part of the [[WP:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]].
}}
{{/Compact TOC}}

{{hatnote|<br />'''Q:''' Is this all the shortcuts there are? '''A:''' No; only about 8% of them. See {{slink|Template:Uw-mos1/worksheet|Where did the list of shortcuts come from?|nopage=yes}}}}
It is recommended (but not required) that subsections below be kept in alphabetical order for ease of use.

===MOS:ABBR===
Abbreviations, including [[acronym]]s, [[initialism]]s, and [[Contraction (grammar)|contractions]] may be used, but always consider whether it is better to write it out in full for clarity. (But abbreviations in quotations should ''always'' be written exactly as in the source.) [[MOS:POINTS|Use no period]] after acronyms and initialisms (e.g., [[NASA]], [[HTML]]), but use them after shortenings (Mrs, Inc., Feb.). See [[MOS:ABBR]].

===MOS:ACCESS===
The MOS [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility|MOS Accessibility guideline]] covers [[Web accessibility|accessibility]] issues about article structure, [[MOS:GOODHEAD#Headings|heaLings]], text, other languages, links, color, lists, tables, images, and media. See [[MOS:ACCESS]].

===MOS:ACRO1STUSE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Abbreviations#Formation and usage|extensive guidance]] about the use and formatting of acronyms. Letters of acronyms should not be spaced. Plural acronyms are written with a lower-case s after the abbreviation, without an apostrophe. Do not apply special style ({{smallcaps|Small Caps}}, italics, bold) to acronyms. For capitalization, see [[MOS:CAPSACRS]]; for more details, see [[MOS:ACRO1STUSE]].

===MOS:ALLEGED===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:SCAREQUOTES}}}}}}
Watch out for words like ''supposed'', ''apparent'', ''purported'', ''alleged'', ''accused'', ''so-called'' which can imply that a given point is inaccurate; see [[MOS:ALLEGED]].

===MOS:ALT===
The <code>alt</code> text is a web accessibility feature that is not normally visible to readers; however, it may be displayed by web browsers when images are switched off, or read out loud by [[screen reader]]s, and can be used by search engines to determine the content of the image. On Wikipedia, alternative text is typically supplied through a combination of the image [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Captions|caption]] and the text supplied for the image <code>alt</code> parameter in the [[Help:Visual file markup|MediaWiki markup]]. See [[MOS:ALT]].

===MOS:AMP===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:AMPERSAND}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style|guidance]] on the use and formatting of ampersand. In normal text and headings, use ''and'' instead of the [[ampersand]] (''&''): {{xt|January 1&nbsp;and&nbsp;2}}, not {{!xt|January 1&nbsp;&&nbsp;2}}. But retain an ampersand when it is a legitimate part of the style of a proper noun, the title of a work, or a trademark, such as in ''[[Up & Down (Horace Parlan album)|Up&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Down]]'' or [[AT&T]]. Elsewhere, ampersands may be used with consistency and discretion where space is extremely limited (e.g., tables and infoboxes). For more information, see [[MOS:AMPERSAND]].

===MOS:AMPERSAND===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:AMP}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style|guidance]] on the use and formatting of ampersand. In normal text and headings, use ''and'' instead of the [[ampersand]] (''&''): {{xt|January 1&nbsp;and&nbsp;2}}, not {{!xt|January 1&nbsp;&&nbsp;2}}. But retain an ampersand when it is a legitimate part of the style of a proper noun, the title of a work, or a trademark, such as in ''[[Up & Down (Horace Parlan album)|Up&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Down]]'' or [[AT&T]]. Elsewhere, ampersands may be used with consistency and discretion where space is extremely limited (e.g., tables and infoboxes). For more information, see [[MOS:AMPERSAND]].

===MOS:APOSTROPHE===
Use [[straight apostrophe]]s ({{big|{{mxt|'}}}}), not [[curly apostrophe]]s ({{big|{{!mxt|’}}}}). Do not use accent marks or [[backtick]]s ({{big|{{!mxt|`}}}}) as apostrophes. For further style guidance about apostrophes see [[MOS:APOSTROPHE]]. For usage of the possessive apostrophe, see [[MOS:POSS]].

===MOS:B===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:BOLD}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Wikipedia has style guidance on the [[MOS:BOLD|use of boldface]] in article title terms in the lead and other uses, and also [[MOS:NOBOLD|when to avoid boldface]]. See [[MOS:BOLD]].

===MOS:BADDATE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:DATESNO}}}}}}
Wikipedia has a lot of date formats that are acceptable, but not every date format is. See [[MOS:BADDATE]]. For acceptable date formats, see [[MOS:DATE]].

===MOS:BADEMPHASIS===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting#How not to apply emphasis|guidance]] about how to apply emphasis ([[MOS:EMPHASIS]], and how not to. Avoid various kinds of overemphasis which would distract from the writing; Exclamation points (!) should usually only be used in direct quotes and titles of creative works; '''bold type''' is [[MOS:BOLD|reserved for certain uses]]; quotation marks for emphasis of a single word or phrase are incorrect; avoid ALL CAPS and {{small caps|small caps}}, underlining, or capitalalization merely for emphasis. See [[MOS:BADEMPHASIS]].

===MOS:BCE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:ERA}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Wikipedia supports both the BC–AD and the BCE–CE notation, and you may use either one consistently within the same article, but don't change an article's established era style without reasons specific to its content. BCE and CE or BC and AD are written in upper case, unspaced, without a full stop (period), and separated from the numeric year by a space ({{xt|5 BC}}, not {{xt!|5BC}}). It is advisable to use a non-breaking space. See [[MOS:ERA]].

===MOS:BIB===
Many different section headings are used for a list of works or publications, depending on the subject matter. See [[MOS:BIB]].

===MOS:BIRTHDATE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Lead section|guidance]] about the lead section. The opening paragraph should usually have dates of birth and (when applicable) death. Birth and death places, if known, should be mentioned in the body. See [[MOS:BIRTHDATE]].

===MOS:BLOCKQUOTE===
A long quotation (more than about forty words or a few hundred characters, or consisting of more than one paragraph, regardless of length) should be formated as a [[block quotation]], using the {{tlx|blockquote}} template. The text presented in block quotations should not itself be enclosed in quotation marks. See [[MOS:BLOCKQUOTE]].

===MOS:BOLD===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:B}}}}}}
Wikipedia has style guidance on the [[MOS:BOLD|use of boldface]] in article title terms in the lead and other uses, and also [[MOS:NOBOLD|when to avoid boldface]]. See [[MOS:BOLD]].

===MOS:BOLDAVOID===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section#First sentence|guidance]] about the lead sentence. When the article title appears verbatim in the first sentence, it [[MOS:BOLDLEAD|should be in bold]]. If the article title does not lend itself to being used easily and naturally in the first sentence, the wording should not be distorted in an effort to include it. Instead, simply describe the subject in normal English, without  bolding. See [[MOS:BOLDAVOID]].

===MOS:BOLDLEAD===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:BOLDTITLE}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section#Format of the first sentence|guidance]] about the lead sentence. When the article title appears verbatim in the first sentence, it should be in bold. In articles where the article title does not appear verbatim in the first sentence, boldface is not used. See [[MOS:BOLDLEAD]].

===MOS:BOLDLINK===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:BOLDLINKAVOID}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Links should not be placed in the [[emphasis (typography)#Methods and use|boldface]] reiteration of the title in the [[MOS:FIRSTSENTENCE|first sentence]] of the lead. Use the top example, not the bottom one:
: {{aye}} The '''Babe Ruth Award''' is given annually to the [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) player with...
: {{nay}} The '''[[Babe Ruth]] Award''' is given annually to the [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) player with...
See [[MOS:BOLDLINKAVOID]].

===MOS:BOLDLINKAVOID===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:BOLDLINK}}.}}}}
Links should not be placed in the [[emphasis (typography)#Methods and use|boldface]] reiteration of the title in the [[MOS:FIRSTSENTENCE|first sentence]] of the lead. Use the top example, not the bottom one:
: {{aye}} The '''Babe Ruth Award''' is given annually to the [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) player with...
: {{nay}} The '''[[Babe Ruth]] Award''' is given annually to the [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) player with...
See [[MOS:BOLDLINKAVOID]].

===MOS:BOLDTITLE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:BOLDLEAD}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section#Format of the first sentence|guidance]] about the lead sentence. When the article title appears verbatim in the first sentence, it should be in bold. In articles where the article title does not appear verbatim in the first sentence, boldface is not used. See [[MOS:BOLDLEAD]].

===MOS:BRACKET===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PARENS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Sentence punctuation goes outside parentheses or brackets {{xt|(as shown here).}} (But if they contain an entire sentence, the punctuation goes inside, like this.) More details about parentheses and brackets, including how to use bracketed expressions inside a [[wikilink]], is available at [[MOS:PARENS]].

===MOS:CAPS===
Wikipedia avoids unnecessary capitalization. Capitalization is primarily needed for [[Proper name (linguistics)|proper names]], [[acronyms]], and for the first letter of a sentence. For details and some exceptions, see [[MOS:CAPS]].

===MOS:CAPTION===
Media files should have captions, unless they are unambiguous depictions of the subject of the article or are "self-captioning" (such as album or book covers). In biographies, a caption is not necessary for a portrait of the subject pictured alone, but one might be used to give the year, the subject's age or name, or other circumstances of the portrait. Captions normally start with a capital letter, and do not end with a period unless the caption is a complete sentence.See [[MOS:CAPTION]].

===MOS:CLAIM===
The Manual of style has extensive guidance on [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|Words to watch]]. To say that someone ''asserted'' or ''claimed'' something can call their statement's credibility into question, by emphasizing any potential contradiction or implying disregard for evidence. See [[MOS:CLAIM]].

===MOS:CITELEAD===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:LEADCITE}}}}}}
The presence of [[MOS:CITELEAD|citations in the lead]] is neither required nor prohibited. Because the lead usually repeats information that is in the body, editors should balance the desire to avoid redundant citations in the lead with the desire to aid readers in locating sources. The lead section must conform to all [[WP:PG|Wikipedia policies]], and [[WP:Verifiability|"{{xt|all quotations, and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged}}"]] should be cited, even in the lead. See [[MOS:CITELEAD]].

===MOS:CLICHE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:IDIOM}}}}}}
[[Cliché]]s and [[idiom]]s should generally be avoided in favor of direct, literal expressions. ''Lion's share'' is often misunderstood and a ''[[landslide victory]]'' is imprecise; instead use a term such as ''all, most, two-thirds'', or whatever matches the context. Other clichés to avoid:  {{strong|''tip of the iceberg, white elephant, take the plunge, ace up the sleeve, twist of fate, at the end of the day''}}. See [[MOS:CLICHE]].

===MOS:COLON===
Except in technical usage ({{xt|a 3:1 ratio}}), no sentence should contain multiple colons, no space should precede a colon, and a space (but never a hyphen or dash) should follow the colon. See [[MOS:COLON]].

===MOS:COLOR===
Colors are used in Wikipedia articles in images, templates, and tables to enhance usability and esthetic appeal. When using color, editors should keep [[web accessibility|accessibility]] in mind for users with vision impairments and [[color blindness]]. Color should not be the sole visual means of conveying information, or for distinguishing elements such as links, templates, or table rows. Always provide an alternative method—such as an accessible symbol and/or text. The Manual of style has [[MOS:COLOR|extensive guidance on color]]; see [[MOS:COLOR]].

===MOS:COMMA===
The Wikipedia Manual of style has [[MOS:COMMA|extensive guidance on the proper use of commas]]. A common question concerns the [[serial comma]] (sometimes also known as an ''Oxford comma'' or ''Harvard comma''){{snd}}a comma used immediately before a conjunction (''and'', ''or'', ''nor'') in a list of three or more items. Editors may either use or skip the serial comma convention so long as each article is internally consistent. Beware of the incorrect use of a comma between two independent clauses, known as a [[comma splice]].{{nosecinclude|<!--comma-splice info sourced from MOS:SEMICOLON-->}} See [[MOS:COMMA]].

===MOS:CONTENTIOUS===
[[Loaded language|Value-laden]] labels&nbsp;– such as calling an organization a ''[[cult]]'', an individual a ''[[racist]], [[sexist]], [[terrorist]]'', or ''[[freedom fighter]]'', or a sexual practice a ''[[perversion]]''&nbsp;– may express contentious opinion and are best avoided. See [[MOS:CONTENTIOUS]].

===MOS:CONTEXTBIO===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:ETHNICITY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
[[MOS:ETHNICITY]] says, "Ethnicity, religion, or sexuality should generally not be in the lead unless relevant to the subject's notability."
===MOS:CONTRACTION===
Contractions such as {{!xt|aren't}} should not be used in Wikipedia, except in quoted material; use the full wording (e.g. {{xt|are not}}) instead. See [[MOS:CONTRACTION]], which also lists exceptions.

===MOS:CONTROVERSIAL===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:LABEL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Contentious labels|guidance]] on the use of contentious labels, like ''racist'', ''sexist'', ''homophobic'', ''extremist'', ''terrorist'', ''neo-Nazi'', ''pseudoscientific'', and [[MOS:LABEL|many more]]. [[Loaded language|Value-laden]] labels&nbsp;– such as calling an organization a ''[[cult]]'', an individual a ''[[racist]], [[sexist]], [[terrorist]]'', or a ''[[freedom fighter]]'', or a sexual practice a ''[[perversion]]''&nbsp;– may express contentious opinion and are best avoided unless widely used by reliable sources to describe the subject, in which case use [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#In-text attribution|in-text attribution]]. For further details see [[MOS:LABEL]].

===MOS:COORDS===
[[Geographical coordinates]] on Earth should be entered using a template to standardise the format and to provide a link to maps of the coordinates. The {{tlx|Coord}} template is a good choice. Avoid [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Geographical coordinates#Precision|excessive precision]]. See [[MOS:COORDS]].

===MOS:CQ===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURLY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use {{xt|{{big|<b>"</b>}}straight{{big|<b>"</b>}}}} quotation marks, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>“</b>}}curly{{big|<b>”</b>}}}} ones. (For [[single quotes]]: {{xt|{{big|<b>'</b>}}straight{{big|<b>'</b>}}}}, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>‘</b>}}curly{{big|<b>’</b>}}}}.) See [[MOS:CURLY]].

===MOS:CREDENTIAL===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DOCTOR}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[MOS:DOCTOR|guidance]] about [[Title#Academic titles|Academic]] or [[Title#Professional titles|professional titles]] and degrees such as "Dr." or "Professor" (including honorary ones). They should be used only with subjects of a biography that are widely known by a pseudonym or stage name containing the title (earned, or not), and included in the pseudonym as described at [[MOS:NICKNAME]] See [[MOS:DOCTOR]] for details.

===MOS:CURLY===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:CQ}}, {{slink||MOS:STRAIGHT}}}}}}
Use {{xt|{{big|<b>"</b>}}straight{{big|<b>"</b>}}}} quotation marks, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>“</b>}}curly{{big|<b>”</b>}}}} ones. (For [[single quotes]]: {{xt|{{big|<b>'</b>}}straight{{big|<b>'</b>}}}}, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>‘</b>}}curly{{big|<b>’</b>}}}}.) See [[MOS:CURLY]].

===MOS:CURRENCY===
When choosing a currency, in ''country-specific articles'', such as [[Economy of Australia]], use the currency of the subject country. In ''non-country-specific articles'', such as [[Wealth]], use US dollars ({{xt|US$123}} on first use, generally {{xt|$123}} thereafter), euros ({{xt|&euro;123}}), or pounds sterling ({{xt|&pound;123}}). The Manual of style has guidance on currency names, symbols, formatting, and conversions; see [[MOS:CURRENCY]].

===MOS:CURRENT===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:DATED}}, {{slink||MOS:NOW}}, {{slink||MOS:RECENT}}, {{slink||MOS:SINCE}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Statements likely to become outdated|guidance]] about chronological items. Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. [[Wikipedia:How the Current events page works|the "Current events" portal]]), terms such as {{!xt|now}}, {{!xt|today}}, {{!xt|currently}}, {{!xt|present}}, {{!xt|to date}}, {{!xt|so far}}, {{!xt|soon}}, {{!xt|upcoming}}, {{!xt|ongoing}}, and {{!xt|recently}} should be avoided in favor of phrases such as {{xt|during the 2010s}}, {{xt|since 2010}}, and {{xt|in August 2020}}. Wording in prose can be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not {{!xt|she is the current director}} but {{xt|she became director on 1 January {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}; not {{!xt|2010{{ndash}}present}} but {{xt|beginning in 2010}} or {{xt|since 2010}}. See [[MOS:CURRENT]].

===MOS:DASH===
Two forms of dash are used on Wikipedia: '''[[en dash]]''' ({{xt|–}}) and '''[[em dash]]''' ({{xt|—}}). Do not use one or more hyphens in place of a dash. For more details and how to enter them, see [[MOS:DASH]].

===MOS:DATE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:DATEFORMAT}}}}}}
There are numerous date formats that are acceptable at Wikipedia. You can view them at [[MOS:DATE]].

===MOS:DATED===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURRENT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Statements likely to become outdated|guidance]] about chronological items. Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. [[Wikipedia:How the Current events page works|the "Current events" portal]]), terms such as {{!xt|now}}, {{!xt|today}}, {{!xt|currently}}, {{!xt|present}}, {{!xt|to date}}, {{!xt|so far}}, {{!xt|soon}}, {{!xt|upcoming}}, {{!xt|ongoing}}, and {{!xt|recently}} should be avoided in favor of phrases such as {{xt|during the 2010s}}, {{xt|since 2010}}, and {{xt|in August 2020}}. Wording in prose can be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not {{!xt|she is the current director}} but {{xt|she became director on 1 January {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}; not {{!xt|2010{{ndash}}present}} but {{xt|beginning in 2010}} or {{xt|since 2010}}. See [[MOS:CURRENT]].

===MOS:DATEFORMAT===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DATE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
There are numerous date formats that are acceptable at Wikipedia. You can view them at [[MOS:DATE]].

===MOS:DATERANGE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers|extensive guidance]] on formatting dates and numbers. Date ranges may be written using either an [[en&nbsp;dash]] or such forms as {{xt|from 1822 to 1843}} and {{xt|between May{{nbsp}}1 and May{{nbsp}}20}}, but not a combination of a dash and words ({{!xt|{{nobr|from 1881{{ndash}}1886}}}};{{nbsp}} {{!xt|{{nobr|between June{{nbsp}}1{{snd}}July{{nbsp}}3}}}}). A simple '''year–year''' range is written using an [[en dash]] (<code>–</code>, <code>&amp;ndash;</code>) with no spaces and the end year given in full. Lots more at See  [[MOS:DATERANGE]].

===MOS:DATERET===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:DATEVAR}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Retaining existing format|extensive guidance]] about dates. If an article has evolved using predominantly one date format, this format should be used throughout the article, unless there are reasons for changing it based on the topic's strong ties to a particular ''English-speaking'' country, or consensus on the article's talk page. See [[MOS:DATERET]].

===MOS:DATESNO===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:BADDATE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Wikipedia has a lot of date formats that are acceptable, but not every date format is. See [[MOS:BADDATE]]. For acceptable date formats, see [[MOS:DATE]].

===MOS:DATEVAR===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DATERET}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Retaining existing format|extensive guidance]] about dates. If an article has evolved using predominantly one date format, this format should be used throughout the article, unless there are reasons for changing it based on the topic's strong ties to a particular ''English-speaking'' country, or consensus on the article's talk page. See [[MOS:DATERET]].

===MOS:DEADNAME===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:GENDERID}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use the name and gendered words ({{xt|man}}, {{xt|woman}}, {{xt|person}}) that reflect the person's most recent expressed self-identification as reported in the most recent [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable sources]], even if it does not match what is most common in sources. Do not use gendered noun forms ({{!xt|mailman}}, {{!xt|waitress}}) that do not match their most recent self-identification. See [[MOS:GENDERID]].

===MOS:DECADE===
To refer to a decade as a chronological period {{lang|la|per se}} (not with reference to a social era or cultural phenomenon), always use four digits and an ''s'', as in {{xt|the{{nbsp}}1980s}}. Do not use {{!xt|the{{nbsp}}1980's}}, or {{!xt|the{{nbsp}}1980{{nbh}}ies}}. See [[MOS:DECADE]].

===MOS:DECISIVE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:MILRESULT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
sed for all conflicts and combat operations, such as battles, campaigns, and wars. The "result" parameter has often been a source of contention. The infobox does not have the scope to reflect nuances, and should be restricted to "X victory" or "Inconclusive". In particular, terms like "Pyrrhic victory" or "decisive victory" are inappropriate for outcomes. See [[MOS:MILRESULT]].

===MOS:DERRY===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:LONDONDERRY}}}}}}
The choice of the term ''[[Derry]]'' or ''[[Londonderry]]'' for the place name [[Derry/Londonderry name dispute|can be contentious]]. A compromise solution was reached: use ''[[Derry]]'' for the city and ''[[County Londonderry]]'' for the county in articles. Do not deviate from this merely because the subject relates to a particular side of the political divide, but where an entity uses a particular name, regardless of whether it is ''Derry'' or ''Londonderry'', use that name for the entity. See [[MOS:DERRY]] for further information.

===MOS:DOCTOR===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:CREDENTIAL}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[MOS:DOCTOR|guidance]] about [[Title#Academic titles|Academic]] or [[Title#Professional titles|professional titles]] and degrees such as "Dr." or "Professor" (including honorary ones). They should be used only with subjects of a biography that are widely known by a pseudonym or stage name containing the title (earned, or not), and included in the pseudonym as described at [[MOS:NICKNAME]] See [[MOS:DOCTOR]] for details.

===MOS:DOUBT===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:ALLEGED}}<!--{{slink||MOS:ACCUSE}}, {{slink||MOS:ACCUSED}}, {{slink||MOS:SCAREQUOTES}}-->}}}}
Watch out for words like ''supposed'', ''apparent'', ''purported'', ''alleged'', ''accused'', ''so-called'' which can imply that a given point is inaccurate; see [[MOS:DOUBT]].

===MOS:DRAFTNOLINK===
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style/Linking|extensive guidance]] on formatting links. In articles, do not link to pages outside the article [[Wikipedia:Namespace|namespace]], including [[WP:DRAFT|draft articles]] (except in articles about Wikipedia itself). See [[MOS:DRAFTNOLINK]].

===MOS:DUPLINK===
{{nosecinclude/sandbox|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:LINKONCE}}, {{slink||MOS:REPEATLINK}}}}}}
Link a term at most once per major section; however they may be used more often in [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Glossaries|glossaries]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists|stand-alone and embedded lists]] if it significantly aids the reader. Terms in citations may be linked as often as necessary. See [[MOS:DUPLINK]].

===MOS:EDITORIAL===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:OFCOURSE}}, {{slink||MOS:UNFORTUNATELY}}}}}}
Using descriptors like ''notable'' (or: ''it should be noted'', ''interestingly'', ''of course'', ''fortunately'', ''unfortunately'', etc.) to highlight something as particularly significant or certain without attributing that opinion should usually be avoided so as to maintain an [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view#Impartial tone|impartial tone]]. For further details and more words to watch, see [[MOS:EDITORIAL]]..

===MOS:EGG===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:EASTEREGG}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of links. Keep piped links as intuitive as possible. Per the [[WP:principle of least astonishment|principle of least astonishment]], make sure that the reader knows what to expect when following a link. Avoid "Easter egg" or "submarine" links, which are links that unexpectedly hide relevant information underneath the link's label. See [[MOS:EGG]].

===MOS:ELLIPSIS===
The [[Wikipedia:Manual of style]] has guidance on how and when to use an [[ellipsis]], such as omitted material in a quotation. Use three unspaced dots (<code>...</code>) not the ellipsis character (<code>…</code>). Generally, use a non-breaking space before an ellipsis and a regular space after it: {{nobr|{{xt|Alpha, Bravo,{{tl|nbsp}}... Zulu}}}}. The ending space is omitted near punctuation in certain cases. See [[MOS:ELLIPSIS]] for details.

===MOS:EMPHASIS===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting|extensive guidance]] on formatting text in articles, such as which text should use '''boldface''' or ''italic'' type. The most [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility|accessible]] way to indicate emphasis is with the HTML <em>...</em> element or by enclosing the emphasized text within an {{em|...}} template. Italics markup (''...'', or <i>...</i>) is often used in practice for emphasis, but this use is not [[Semantic HTML|semantically]] correct markup, so emphasis markup is preferred. See [[MOS:EMPHASIS]].

===MOS:ENGVAR===
All national varieties of [[Standard English]] (e.g., [[American English]], [[British English]] and more) are equally acceptable on English Wikipedia. In order to determine which variety to use, we rely on [[MOS:ARTCON|consistency within articles]], and [[MOS:TIES|strong national ties to a topic]]. When there is no clear reason to use one or another variety, then [[MOS:RETAIN|retain the existing usage]] in the article; do not change spelling or grammar in an article just because you prefer it. See [[MOS:ENGVAR]] for details. See also [[MOS:SPELLING]] for spelling issues.

===MOS:ERA===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:BCE}}}}}}
Wikipedia supports both the BC–AD and the BCE–CE notation, and you may use either one consistently within the same article, but don't change an article's established era style without reasons specific to its content. BCE and CE or BC and AD are written in upper case, unspaced, without a full stop (period), and separated from the numeric year by a space ({{xt|5 BC}}, not {{xt!|5BC}}). It is advisable to use a non-breaking space. See [[MOS:ERA]].

===MOS:ETHNICITY===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:CONTEXTBIO}}, {{slink||MOS:NATIONALITY}}}}}}
[[MOS:ETHNICITY]] says, "Ethnicity, religion, or sexuality should generally not be in the lead unless relevant to the subject's notability."

===MOS:EUPHEMISM===
[[Euphemism]]s should generally be avoided in favor of more neutral and precise terms. ''Died'' and ''had sex'' are neutral and accurate; ''passed away'' and ''made love'' are euphemisms. See [[MOS:EUPHEMISM]] for more information.

===MOS:FLAG===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Icons#Flags|extensive guidance]] on the appropriate use of flags. Words are the primary means of communication and should be given greater precedence over flags, including in infoboxes. Flag icons may be relevant in some subject areas, where the subject actually represents that country or nationality – such as military units or national sports teams. See [[MOS:FLAG]] for details.

===MOS:FLAGBIO===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style/Biography|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of biographical articles. In particular, flags are discouraged in the individual [[WP:Infobox|infoboxes]] of biographical articles. Special care should be taken with the use of flag templates in biographies. For specifics, see [[MOS:FLAGBIO]].

===MOS:FLAGRELEVANCE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Icons#Flags|extensive guidance]] on the appropriate use of flags. Subnational flags (regions, cities, etc.) should generally be used only when directly relevant to the article. They are rarely recognizable by the general public, detracting from any shorthand utility they might have. See [[MOS:FLAGRELEVANCE]].

===MOS:FONTSIZE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:SMALL}}, {{slink||MOS:LARGE}}}}}}
The [[Wikipedia:Manual of style]] has guidance about the use of [[font size]]. Editors should avoid manually inserting large and small fonts into prose. Reduced or enlarged font sizes should be used sparingly. Size changes are specified as a ''percentage'' of the original font size and not as an absolute size in pixels or point size. Do not apply {{tag|small}} or {{tlx|small}} to [[plain text]] in contexts like [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|infoboxes]], [[Wikipedia:Navigation template|navboxes]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Notes and references|reference sections]] where the font is already small. See [[MOS:FONTSIZE]].

===MOS:FOREIGN===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:NONENG}}}}}}
Non-English terms should be used sparingly. In general, [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting#Foreign terms|use italics]] for phrases and words that are not current in English. [[MOS:FOREIGN]] explains how to do this using the {{tlx|lang}} template.

===MOS:FURTHER===
The [[WP:FURTHER|Further reading]] section is an optional bulleted list, usually alphabetized, of a reasonable number of publications that would help interested readers learn more about the article subject. Editors may include brief annotations. Publications listed in [[Wikipedia:Further reading|further reading]] are formatted in the same [[WP:CITE#HOW|citation style]] used by the rest of the article. See [[MOS:FURTHER]].

===MOS:GENDERID===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:DEADNAME}}, {{slink||MOS:GID}}, {{slink||MOS:MISGENDER}}, {{slink||MOS:NB}}}}}}
Use the name and gendered words ({{xt|man}}, {{xt|woman}}, {{xt|person}}) that reflect the person's most recent expressed self-identification as reported in the most recent [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable sources]], even if it does not match what is most common in sources. Do not use gendered noun forms ({{!xt|mailman}}, {{!xt|waitress}}) that do not match their most recent self-identification. See [[MOS:GENDERID]].

===MOS:GEO===
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#Geographical items|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of geographical or place names. A place should generally be referred to consistently by the same name as in the title of its article (see [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (geographic names)]]; exceptions exist). This is an English-language encyclopedia, so established English names are preferred if they exist, and spellings in non-English alphabets should always be transcribed into the Roman alphabet. Much more detail, information, and exceptions can be found at [[MOS:GEO]].

===MOS:GEOLINK===
The Manual of style has [[MOS:GEOLINK|guidance]] on linking geographical locations. For a geographical location expressed as a consecutive comma-separated sequence of two or more territorial units, link only the first unit; e.g., For more detail, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]].

===MOS:GID===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:GENDERID}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use the name and gendered words ({{xt|man}}, {{xt|woman}}, {{xt|person}}) that reflect the person's most recent expressed self-identification as reported in the most recent [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable sources]], even if it does not match what is most common in sources. Do not use gendered noun forms ({{!xt|mailman}}, {{!xt|waitress}}) that do not match their most recent self-identification. See [[MOS:GENDERID]].

===MOS:GNL===
Use [[gender-neutral language]] and avoid the [[generic he|generic ''he'']] if this can be done with clarity and precision. This does not apply to direct quotations or the titles of works (''{{xt|The Ascent of Man}}''), which should not be altered, or to wording about one-gender contexts, such as an all-female school. See [[MOS:GNL]] for further details. See also [[Wikipedia:Writing about women]].

===MOS:HASH===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:POUND}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style|extensive guidance]] on [[MOS:PUNCT|punctuation]], including the [[number sign]] (pound, hash). Avoid using the [[Number sign|{{!xt|#}}]] symbol ([[number sign]], hash sign, pound sign) when referring to numbers or rankings. Instead write {{xt|number}}, {{xt|No.}} or {{xt|Nos.}}; do not use the symbol [[Numero sign|{{!xt|№}}]]. For example: {{xt|Her album reached number one in the UK albums chart}}, ''not'': {{!xt|#1}}. See [[MOS:POUND]].

===MOS:HEAD===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:HEADINGS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#Section headings|extensive guidance]] on section headings. Section headings follow the guidance for [[WP:AT|article titles]] and are presented in [[sentence case]]. All headings must be on their own line, preceded by exactly one blank line, and followed by one or no blank lines. See [[MOS:HEADINGS]].

===MOS:HEADCAPS===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:SECTIONCAPS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters#Headings, headers, and captions|guidance]] on the use of capitalization in section headings. Use [[sentence case]], not [[title case]], in all section headings. Capitalize the first character of the first element if it is a letter, but leave the rest lower case except for proper names and other items that would ordinarily be capitalized in running text. See [[MOS:SECTIONCAPS]].

===MOS:HEADINGS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:HEAD}}, {{slink||MOS:SECTIONHEADINGS}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#Section headings|extensive guidance]] on section headings. Section headings follow the guidance for [[WP:AT|article titles]] and are presented in [[sentence case]]. All headings must be on their own line, preceded by exactly one blank line, and followed by one or no blank lines. See [[MOS:HEADINGS]].

===MOS:HEADINGLINKS===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
For technical reasons, section headings should be unique within an article (so that ection links work). They should not contain [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking#Principles|links]], template transclusions, citations or footnotes, math markup, images, or icons. See [[MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS]].

===MOS:HONORIFIC===
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style/Biography#Honorifics|guidance]] on the use and formatting of honorifics. [[Honorific]]s and [[Royal and noble styles|styles of nobility]] should normally be capitalized, e.g., {{xt|Her Majesty}}, {{xt|His Holiness}}. They are not usually used in running text, though some may be appropriate in the lead sentence of a biographical article. In general, [[honorific prefixes]] and suffixes should not be included, but may be discussed in the article. See [[MOS:HONORIFIC]] for more details.

===MOS:HYPHEN===
Hyphens have three main uses in Wikipedia articles: 1) in personal names ({{xt|John Lennard-Jones}}); 2) to link prefixes and suffixes with the main term ({{xt|''quasi-scientific''}}, {{xt|''London-based''}}); 3) to distinguish between [[homograph]]s: ({{xt|[[wikt:re-sign|''re-sign'']]}} vs. {{xt|[[wikt:resign|''resign'']]}}). More minor usage includes [[MOS:SUSPENDED|suspended hyphens]]. For details, see [[MOS:HYPHEN]]; contrast: [[MOS:DASH]].

===MOS:ICONS===
Wikipedia uses [[icon]]s—including logos, crests, coats of arms, seals, flags, or other decoration—in articles, mainly in lists, tables, infoboxes, and navboxes in order to provide useful visual cues to the content, but can also present a number of problems. The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Icons|extensive guidance]] on icons at [[MOS:ICONS]].

===MOS:IDIOM===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CLICHE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
[[Cliché]]s and [[idiom]]s should generally be avoided in favor of direct, literal expressions. ''Lion's share'' is often misunderstood and a ''[[landslide victory]]'' is imprecise; instead use a term such as ''all, most, two-thirds'', or whatever matches the context. Other clichés to avoid:  {{strong|''tip of the iceberg, white elephant, take the plunge, ace up the sleeve, twist of fate, at the end of the day''}}. See [[MOS:CLICHE]].

===MOS:IMAGELAYOUT===
Most images should be on the right side of the page, which is the default placement. Left-aligned images may distort article layout and make it harder to navigate. They can make lines of text jump to the left in the middle of a paragraph and may also disturb the layout of bulleted lists and other structures. Multiple images may [[MOS:SANDWICH|sandwich article text]] in the middle. See [[MOS:IMAGELAYOUT]].

===MOS:IMAGES===
Images must be significant and relevant in the context of the article topic, not mainly decorative. Each image should have a clear and illustrative purpose and serve as an important aid to understanding the subject. Not every article needs images, and too many can be distracting; usually, [[less is more]]. Wikipedia has extensive style guidance at [[MOS:IMAGES]].

===MOS:IMAGESIZE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:IMGSIZE}}, {{slink||MOS:UPRIGHT}}}}}}
Images adjacent to text [[WP:THUMBSIZE|should use]] the {{code|thumb}} ([[Help:Pictures#Thumbnails|thumbnail]]) parameter. The default image width then becomes 250 pixels (px). Use parameter {{para|upright|''scaling factor''}} when you need to display an image at other than default width. See details at [[MOS:IMAGESIZE]].

===MOS:INFOBOX===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|extensive guidance]] on the purpose, creation, style, use, and implementation of Infoboxes using dedicated templates. See [[MOS:INFOBOX]].

===MOS:INFOBOXFLAG===
Generally, flag icons should not be used in [[Wikipedia:Infobox|infoboxes]]. Situations where flag icons {{em|may}} be used in infoboxes include: military conflicts; participants in sporting events such as the [[FIFA World Cup]] or [[Olympic Games]]; country of registry of ships. See [[MOS:INFOBOXFLAG]].

===MOS:INDICSCRIPT===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/India-related articles|guidance]] on the use of [[Indic script]]. Avoid the use of [[Indic scripts]] in [[WP:Manual of Style/Lead section|lead sections]] or [[WP:Infobox|infoboxes]]. Instead, use [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] pronunciation guides, which are more international. Exceptions are articles on the script itself, articles on a language that uses the script, and articles on texts originally written in a particular script. Further details at [[MOS:INDICSCRIPT]].

===MOS:INSTRUCT===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:NOTE}}}}}}
Avoid [[MOS:INSTRUCT|instructional and presumptuous language]], including phrases such as {{!xt|remember that}} and {{!xt|note that}}, which [[Imperative mood|address readers directly]] in an [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tone|unencyclopedic tone]] and lean toward [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal|instructional]]. Simply present sourced facts neutrally and let readers draw their own conclusions. See [[MOS:INSTRUCT]].

===MOS:ISLAM===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Related: {{slink||MOS:ALLAH}}, {{slink||MOS:PBUH}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Islam-related articles|extensive guidance]] about editing [[Islam]]-related articles, ensuring they adhere to a [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral]], [[Wikipedia:Encyclopedic style|encyclopedic style]] and maintain a consistent format for [[Wikipedia:Readability|readability]]. See [[MOS:ISLAM]].

===MOS:ITALICS===
Wikipedia has style guidance on the [[MOS:ITALICS|use of italics]] for [[MOS:EMPHASIS|emphasis]], in [[MOS:NAMESANDTITLES|names and titles]], when using [[MOS:WORDSASWORDS|words as words]] (e.g., ''hat'' is a noun, but a hat is a head covering); [[MOS:FOREIGNITALIC|foreign terms]], [[MOS:SCIENTIFIC|scientific terms]], and more. See [[MOS:ITALICS]].

===MOS:ITALICTITLE===
Some Wikipedia articles take an italic title, including [[MOS:MAJORWORK|major works]] like books, TV programs, films, newspapers and magazines, video games, and much more. See [[MOS:ITALICTITLE]] for an expanded list. To italicize an article title (or parts of it), you can use {{t|Italic title}}, {{t|Italic disambiguation}}, or the [[H:MAGIC#DISPLAYTITLE|DISPLAYTITLE:]] [[H:MAGIC|magic word]]. See [[MOS:ITALICTITLE]].

===MOS:JARGON===
Wikipedia has style guidance on the use of [[MOS:JARGON|technical language]]. Some topics are necessarily technical; however, editors should seek to write articles [[Wikipedia:Make technical articles understandable|accessible to the greatest number of readers]]. Minimize the use of [[jargon]], and adequately explain its meaning when it is used. See [[MOS:JARGON]].

===MOS:JOBTITLES===
The Manual of style has [[MOS:JOBTITLES|guidance]] on the use of offices, titles, and positions. Terms such as ''president'', ''king'', ''emperor'', ''pope'', ''prime minister'', ''chief financial officer'' are common nouns and should be in lower case when used generically: {{xt|Mitterrand was the French president}} or {{xt|There were many presidents at the meeting.}} They are capitalized only when it becomes part of the name: {{xt|President Nixon}}; {{xt|Pope John XXIII}}. See [[MOS:JOBTITLES]].

===MOS:LABEL===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:CONTROVERSIAL}}, {{slink||MOS:RACIST}}, {{slink||MOS:TERRORIST}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Contentious labels|guidance]] on the use of contentious labels, like ''racist'', ''sexist'', ''homophobic'', ''extremist'', ''terrorist'', ''neo-Nazi'', ''pseudoscientific'', and [[MOS:LABEL|many more]]. [[Loaded language|Value-laden]] labels&nbsp;– such as calling an organization a ''[[cult]]'', an individual a ''[[racist]], [[sexist]], [[terrorist]]'', or a ''[[freedom fighter]]'', or a sexual practice a ''[[perversion]]''&nbsp;– may express contentious opinion and are best avoided unless widely used by reliable sources to describe the subject, in which case use [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#In-text attribution|in-text attribution]]. For further details see [[MOS:LABEL]].

===MOS:LARGE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:FONTSIZE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The [[Wikipedia:Manual of style]] has guidance about the use of [[font size]]. Editors should avoid manually inserting large and small fonts into prose. Reduced or enlarged font sizes should be used sparingly. Size changes are specified as a ''percentage'' of the original font size and not as an absolute size in pixels or point size. Do not apply {{tag|small}} or {{tlx|small}} to [[plain text]] in contexts like [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|infoboxes]], [[Wikipedia:Navigation template|navboxes]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Notes and references|reference sections]] where the font is already small. See [[MOS:FONTSIZE]].

===MOS:LAYOUT===
All articles should have a lead section, and references. Beyond that, there are additional standardized sections in an article, which are generally placed in a certain order, with infoboxes, body content, 'see also' links, References, External links, Nav boxes, categories, and more. For a more complete list and the recommended order for article sections, please see [[MOS:LAYOUT]].

===MOS:LAYOUTEL===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the typical layout and formatting of Wikipedia articles, including the sections an article usually has, and their ordering. The [[MOS:LAYOUTEL|External links]] section is a bulleted list of recommended [[Wikipedia:External links#What can normally be linked|relevant websites]] that do not appear in the article body, each accompanied by a short description. See [[MOS:LAYOUTEL]].

===MOS:LAYOUTNAV===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the typical layout and formatting of Wikipedia articles, including the sections an article usually has, and their ordering. The [[MOS:LAYOUTNAV|External links]] section is a bulleted list of recommended [[Wikipedia:External links#What can normally be linked|relevant websites]] that do not appear in the article body, each accompanied by a short description. See [[MOS:LAYOUTNAV]].

===MOS:LEAD===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section|extensive guidance]] on the [[WP:LEAD]] section of an article, including the order of elements, content, and special recommendations for biographies and short articles. See [[MOS:LEAD]].

===MOS:LEADCITE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CITELEAD}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The presence of [[MOS:CITELEAD|citations in the lead]] is neither required nor prohibited. Because the lead usually repeats information that is in the body, editors should balance the desire to avoid redundant citations in the lead with the desire to aid readers in locating sources. The lead section must conform to all [[WP:PG|Wikipedia policies]], and [[WP:Verifiability|"{{xt|all quotations, and any material whose verifiability has been challenged or is likely to be challenged}}"]] should be cited, even in the lead. See [[MOS:CITELEAD]].

===MOS:LEADIMAGE===
A lead image is perhaps the first thing to catch the reader's eye. It should be a natural and appropriate representation of the topic; of low shock value; and in the case of [[MOS:NOETHNICGALLERIES|ethnic groups or other large human populations]] should not be illustrated by a [[photomontage]] or [[Wikipedia:Picture tutorial#Galleries|gallery of images]] of group members. See [[MOS:LEADIMAGE]].

===MOS:LEADSENTENCE===
The first sentence should introduce the topic, and tell [[WP:GENAUD|the nonspecialist reader]] <em>what</em> or <em>who</em> the subject is, and often <em>when</em> or <em>where</em>. It should be in [[plain English]]. See [[MOS:LEADSENTENCE]].

===MOS:LEADTITLE===
If possible, the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Article titles|page title]] should be the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] of the first sentence. If it is a formal or widely accepted name for the subject, display it as early as possible in the first sentence See [[MOS:LEADTITLE]].

===MOS:LINK===
Wikipedia has style guidance on the [[MOS:LINK|use of links]] in articles, including [[MOS:OVERLINK|over-]] and [[MOS:UNDERLINK|under-linking]], [[MOS:REPEATLINK|duplicate and repeat links]], the proper use of [[MOS:REDLINK|red links]], and how to use various techniques such as [[MOS:REDIR|redirects]], [[MOS:PIPE|piped links]], and [[WP:COLONTRICK|tips for linking categories and files]]. See [[MOS:LINK]].

===MOS:LINKONCE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DUPLINK}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Link a term at most once per major section; however they may be used more often in [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Glossaries|glossaries]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists|stand-alone and embedded lists]] if it significantly aids the reader. Terms in citations may be linked as often as necessary. See [[MOS:DUPLINK]].

===MOS:LIST===
The Manual of style has guidance on [[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists|stand-alone list articles]], [[MOS:EMBED|lists embedded within an article]], [[MOS:WORKS|lists of works]], [[MOS:TIMELINE|timelines]], and [[MOS:LISTTYPES|other types of lists]]. See [[MOS:LIST]].

===MOS:LQ===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:LOGICAL}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[MOS:LQ|guidance]] on using punctuation inside or outside quotation marks. Use the [[logical quotation]] style in all articles, regardless of the variety of English in which they are written. Include terminal punctuation within the quotation marks only if it was present in the original material, and otherwise place it after the closing quotation mark. See [[MOS:LQ]].

===MOS:LOGICAL===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:LQ}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[MOS:LQ|guidance]] on using punctuation inside or outside quotation marks. Use the [[logical quotation]] style in all articles, regardless of the variety of English in which they are written. Include terminal punctuation within the quotation marks only if it was present in the original material, and otherwise place it after the closing quotation mark. See [[MOS:LQ]].

===MOS:LONDONDERRY===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DERRY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The choice of the term ''[[Derry]]'' or ''[[Londonderry]]'' for the place name [[Derry/Londonderry name dispute|can be contentious]]. A compromise solution was reached: use ''[[Derry]]'' for the city and ''[[County Londonderry]]'' for the county in articles. Do not deviate from this merely because the subject relates to a particular side of the political divide, but where an entity uses a particular name, regardless of whether it is ''Derry'' or ''Londonderry'', use that name for the entity. See [[MOS:DERRY]] for further information.

===MOS:MAC===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Macedonia)|extensive guidance]] on how to refer to the various geographical and political entities called "Macedonia". In brief, the country will be referred to by its short name [[North Macedonia]]. The official name [[Republic of North Macedonia]] will be used in all contexts where other countries would also be called by their full official names. For additional detail, such as how to refer to   events between 1992 and 2019, see [[MOS:MAC]].

===MOS:MEASUREMENT===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:UNITS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Units of measurement|extensive guidance]] on formatting units of measurement. Quantities are typically expressed using an appropriate "primary unit" (e.g., kilometers) displayed first, followed, when appropriate, by a conversion in parentheses e.g. {{xt|{{convert|200|km|mi}}}}. For details on when and how to provide a conversion, see [[MOS:CONVERSIONS]]. The choice of primary units depends on the circumstances, and should respect the principle of [[Wikipedia:Strong national ties|strong national ties]], where applicable; for example in the U.S., use pounds, [[statute mile|miles]], feet, inches, etc., and in other articles, use [[International System of Units|SI]] units (such as meters or kilograms. The UK has special rules, depending on context. For more information on [[MOS:NUM#Unit choice and order|unit choice and order]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit conversions|unit conversions]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit names and symbols|unit names and symbols]], and [[MOS:NUM#Quantities of bytes and bits|quantities of bytes and bits]], see [[MOS:UNITS]].

===MOS:METRIC===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:UNITS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Units of measurement|extensive guidance]] on formatting units of measurement. Quantities are typically expressed using an appropriate "primary unit" (e.g., kilometers) displayed first, followed, when appropriate, by a conversion in parentheses e.g. {{xt|{{convert|200|km|mi}}}}. For details on when and how to provide a conversion, see [[MOS:CONVERSIONS]]. The choice of primary units depends on the circumstances, and should respect the principle of [[Wikipedia:Strong national ties|strong national ties]], where applicable; for example in the U.S., use pounds, [[statute mile|miles]], feet, inches, etc., and in other articles, use [[International System of Units|SI]] units (such as meters or kilograms. The UK has special rules, depending on context. For more information on [[MOS:NUM#Unit choice and order|unit choice and order]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit conversions|unit conversions]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit names and symbols|unit names and symbols]], and [[MOS:NUM#Quantities of bytes and bits|quantities of bytes and bits]], see [[MOS:UNITS]].

===MOS:MILRESULT===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:DECISIVE}}}}}}
sed for all conflicts and combat operations, such as battles, campaigns, and wars. The "result" parameter has often been a source of contention. The infobox does not have the scope to reflect nuances, and should be restricted to "X victory" or "Inconclusive". In particular, terms like "Pyrrhic victory" or "decisive victory" are inappropriate for outcomes. See [[MOS:MILRESULT]].

===MOS:MISGENDER===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:GENDERID}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use the name and gendered words ({{xt|man}}, {{xt|woman}}, {{xt|person}}) that reflect the person's most recent expressed self-identification as reported in the most recent [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable sources]], even if it does not match what is most common in sources. Do not use gendered noun forms ({{!xt|mailman}}, {{!xt|waitress}}) that do not match their most recent self-identification. See [[MOS:GENDERID]].

===MOS:MUHAMMAD===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PBUH}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Islam-related articles|guidance]] on the way to refer to the prophet [[Muhammad]]. Honorifics for [[Muhammad]] should generally not be used in articles. The [[Salawat]] article discusses these honorifics in more detail, the most common ones being: '''The Prophet''' or '''(The) Holy Prophet''' in place of, or preceding, "[[Muhammad]]"; as well as '''PBUH''' (or the fuller "[[peace be upon him]]") and variants of PBUH. See [[MOS:PBUH]] for more information.

===MOS:NATIONALITY===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:ETHNICITY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
[[MOS:ETHNICITY]] says, "Ethnicity, religion, or sexuality should generally not be in the lead unless relevant to the subject's notability."
===MOS:NB===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:GENDERID}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use the name and gendered words ({{xt|man}}, {{xt|woman}}, {{xt|person}}) that reflect the person's most recent expressed self-identification as reported in the most recent [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable sources]], even if it does not match what is most common in sources. Do not use gendered noun forms ({{!xt|mailman}}, {{!xt|waitress}}) that do not match their most recent self-identification. See [[MOS:GENDERID]].

===MOS:NICKNAMETHE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:THENICKNAME}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Alternative names|extensive guidance]] about the use and formatting of alternative names in biographical articles. For nicknames, a leading [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters#Capitalization of The|"the" is not capitalized]]. Example: [[Jack Tatum|{{xt|Jack "the Assassin" Tatum}}]]; or: {{xt|Jack Tatum, nicknamed "the Assassin"}}. See [[MOS:NICKNAMETHE]].

===MOS:NONENG===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:FOREIGN}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Non-English terms should be used sparingly. In general, [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting#Foreign terms|use italics]] for phrases and words that are not current in English. [[MOS:FOREIGN]] explains how to do this using the {{tlx|lang}} template.

===MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:HEADINGLINKS}}}}}}
For technical reasons, section headings should be unique within an article (so that section links work). They should not contain [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking#Principles|links]], template transclusions, citations or footnotes, math markup, images, or icons. See [[MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS]].

===MOS:NOBOLD===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting#When not to use boldface|guidance]] on when not to use boldface. Boldface is appropriate for [[MOS:BOLDTITLE|article title terms in the lead]], and certain mathematical symbols. See [[MOS:NOBOLD]] for details.

===MOS:NOBREAKS===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility#Vertical lists|extensive guidance]] on the use of [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility#Bulleted vertical lists|bulleted ]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility#Unbulleted vertical lists|unbulleted lists]]. In particular, do not separate list items in bulleted lists with line breaks ({{tag|br|s}}). Use {{tlx|plainlist}} or {{tlx|unbulleted list}} if the list is to remain vertical; or consider {{tlx|flatlist}} or {{tlx|hlist}} if the list could be better rendered horizontally (inline). See [[MOS:NOBREAKS]].

===MOS:NOPIPE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking|extensive guidance]] on the proper use of links. [[Wikipedia:Redirect#Do not "fix" links to redirects that are not broken|Do not use a piped link]] where it is possible to use a [[MOS:REDIR|redirected term]] that fits well within the scope of the text. Further explanation with examples and details at [[MOS:NOPIPE]].

===MOS:NOTE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:INSTRUCT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Avoid [[MOS:INSTRUCT|instructional and presumptuous language]], including phrases such as {{!xt|remember that}} and {{!xt|note that}}, which [[Imperative mood|address readers directly]] in an [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tone|unencyclopedic tone]] and lean toward [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal|instructional]]. Simply present sourced facts neutrally and let readers draw their own conclusions. See [[MOS:INSTRUCT]].

===MOS:NOTES===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:REFERENCES}}, {{slink||MOS:REFS}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the typical layout and formatting of Wikipedia articles, including the sections an article usually has, and their ordering. The Notes and references section may contain [[Help:Footnotes#Footnotes: predefined groups|Explanatory footnotes]], [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Inline citations|footnotes]], full citations to sources, and [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#General references|General references]]. For further details, see [[MOS:LAYOUTNAV]].

===MOS:NOTLATIN===
Names and terms originally written using a non-[[Latin script]]—such as the [[Greek alphabet]], the [[Cyrillic alphabet]], or [[Chinese characters]]—must be [[romanized]] for use in English Wikipedia. If there is a [[Wikipedia:Article titles#Use commonly recognizable names|conventional romanization]] of the subject's name in English—e.g., {{xt|Tchaikovsky}}, {{xt|Chiang Kai-shek}}—that form should be used. Otherwise, the romanization of names should adhere to a  [[Wikipedia:Romanization#Conventional spelling is preferred for article titles|widely used system for the language in question]]. See [[MOS:NOTLATIN]] and [[WP:ROMAN]].

===MOS:NOTSEEALSO===
The "See also" section should {{em|not}} include [[Wikipedia:Red link|red links]], links to [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation pages]] (unless used in a disambiguation page for [[MOS:DABSEEALSO|further disambiguation]]), or [[Wikipedia:External links|external links]] (including links to pages within [[Wikipedia:Wikimedia sister projects|Wikimedia sister projects]]). As a general rule, the "See also" section should {{em|not}} repeat links that appear in the article's body. See [[MOS:NOTSEEALSO]].

===MOS:NOTUSA===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:US}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Both {{xt|US}} and {{xt|U.S.}} are seen as abbreviations for 'United States', with {{xt|US}} generally preferred, but there are many exceptions. See [[MOS:US]].

===MOS:NOW===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURRENT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Statements likely to become outdated|guidance]] about chronological items. Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. [[Wikipedia:How the Current events page works|the "Current events" portal]]), terms such as {{!xt|now}}, {{!xt|today}}, {{!xt|currently}}, {{!xt|present}}, {{!xt|to date}}, {{!xt|so far}}, {{!xt|soon}}, {{!xt|upcoming}}, {{!xt|ongoing}}, and {{!xt|recently}} should be avoided in favor of phrases such as {{xt|during the 2010s}}, {{xt|since 2010}}, and {{xt|in August 2020}}. Wording in prose can be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not {{!xt|she is the current director}} but {{xt|she became director on 1 January {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}; not {{!xt|2010{{ndash}}present}} but {{xt|beginning in 2010}} or {{xt|since 2010}}. See [[MOS:CURRENT]].

===MOS:NUM===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:NUMERAL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Integers from zero to nine are spelled out in words. Integers greater than nine expressible in one or two words may be expressed either in numerals or in words ({{xt|16}} or {{xt|sixteen}}, {{xt|84}} or {{nobr|{{xt|eighty-four}}}}, {{xt|200}} or {{nobr|{{xt|two hundred}}}}). There are a lot of other style issues about numbers: ordinals ({{xt|first}}, {{xt|second}}: [[MOS:ORDINAL]]), [[MOS:NUMRANGE|number ranges]], [[MOS:SCORES|sport scores and vote tallies]], [[MOS:FRAC|fractions]], [[MOS:DECIMAL|decimals]], and much more. See [[MOS:NUMERAL]].

===MOS:NUMBERSIGN===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:POUND}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style|extensive guidance]] on [[MOS:PUNCT|punctuation]], including the [[number sign]] (pound, hash). Avoid using the [[Number sign|{{!xt|#}}]] symbol ([[number sign]], hash sign, pound sign) when referring to numbers or rankings. Instead write {{xt|number}}, {{xt|No.}} or {{xt|Nos.}}; do not use the symbol [[Numero sign|{{!xt|№}}]]. For example: {{xt|Her album reached number one in the UK albums chart}}, ''not'': {{!xt|#1}}. See [[MOS:POUND]].

===MOS:NUMERAL===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:NUM}}}}}}
Integers from zero to nine are spelled out in words. Integers greater than nine expressible in one or two words may be expressed either in numerals or in words ({{xt|16}} or {{xt|sixteen}}, {{xt|84}} or {{nobr|{{xt|eighty-four}}}}, {{xt|200}} or {{nobr|{{xt|two hundred}}}}). There are a lot of other style issues about numbers: ordinals ({{xt|first}}, {{xt|second}}: [[MOS:ORDINAL]]), [[MOS:NUMRANGE|number ranges]], [[MOS:SCORES|sport scores and vote tallies]], [[MOS:FRAC|fractions]], [[MOS:DECIMAL|decimals]], and much more. See [[MOS:NUMERAL]].

===MOS:OFCOURSE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:EDITORIAL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Using descriptors like ''notable'' (or: ''it should be noted'', ''interestingly'', ''of course'', ''fortunately'', ''unfortunately'', etc.) to highlight something as particularly significant or certain without attributing that opinion should usually be avoided so as to maintain an [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view#Impartial tone|impartial tone]]. For further details and more words to watch, see [[MOS:EDITORIAL]]..

===MOS:OL===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:OVERLINK}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Everyday words, common occupations, major country and city names, geographic features, nationalities, religions, and many more very common topics need not be linked, as they may clutter the article with [[WP:REDLINK|red links]] without aiding reader understanding. See [[MOS:OVERLINK]].

===MOS:OLINK===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:OVERLINK}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Everyday words, common occupations, major country and city names, geographic features, nationalities, religions, and many more very common topics need not be linked, as they may clutter the article with [[WP:REDLINK|red links]] without aiding reader understanding. See [[MOS:OVERLINK]].

===MOS:ORDER===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:SECTIONORDER}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Order of article elements|extensive guidance]] about the [[Page layout|layout]] of Wikipedia articles, and lists the recommended order of sections in the article. See [[MOS:SECTIONORDER]].

===MOS:ORDINAL===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers|extensive guidance]] on formatting dates and numbers. For [[ordinal number]]s, the general principles set out in [[MOS:NUMERAL|Numbers as figures or words]] apply. In particular, do not start a sentence with a figure, and generally use {{xt|first}} through {{xt|ninth}}, not {{!xt|1st}} through {{!xt|9th}}, for single-digit ordinals. (Exception: [[MOS:CENTURY]].) In "suffix" forms, use two-letter suffixes: {{xt|1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th}} and so on ({{xt|2nd{{nbsp}}Battalion}} not {{!xt|2d{{nbsp}}Battalion}}). Do not superscript (e.g. {{!xt|123<sup>rd</sup>}}). See [[MOS:ORDINAL]].

===MOS:OTHERLANG===
By default, English Wikipedia articles state explicitly to the browser that they are written wholly in English. Most [[screen readers]] attempting to handle a foreign expression like {{code|''Assemblée nationale''}} in the article will sound ridiculous or confusing. Non-English text should be tagged with the language, typically with a template like {{tlx|lang}}; e.g.: {{tlx|lang|fr|Assemblée nationale}}. See [[MOS:OTHERLANG]].

===MOS:OUR===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:WE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#First-person_pronouns|guidance]] on the use and formatting of first-person pronouns. To maintain an objective and impersonal encyclopedic voice, an article should never refer to its editors or readers using ''I'', ''my'', ''we'', ''us'', ''our'', or similar words; e.g., avoid: {{!xt|We note that some believe that bats are bugs}}. For more details, see [[MOS:WE]].

===MOS:OVERLINK===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:OL}}, {{slink||MOS:OLINK}}}}}}
Everyday words, common occupations, major country and city names, geographic features, nationalities, religions, and many more very common topics need not be linked, as they may clutter the article with [[WP:REDLINK|red links]] without aiding reader understanding. See [[MOS:OVERLINK]].

===MOS:PARAGRAPH===
Sections usually consist of paragraphs of running prose, each dealing with a particular point or idea. Single-sentence paragraphs can inhibit the flow of the text; by the same token, long paragraphs become hard to read. Between paragraphs—as between sections—there should be only a {{em|single}} blank line. See [[MOS:PARAGRAPH]].

===MOS:PARENS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:BRACKET}}}}}}
Sentence punctuation goes outside parentheses or brackets {{xt|(as shown here).}} (But if they contain an entire sentence, the punctuation goes inside, like this.) More details about parentheses and brackets, including how to use bracketed expressions inside a [[wikilink]], is available at [[MOS:PARENS]].

===MOS:PBUH===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:MUHAMMAD}}, {{slink||MOS:SAWW}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Islam-related articles|guidance]] on the way to refer to the prophet [[Muhammad]]. Honorifics for [[Muhammad]] should generally not be used in articles. The [[Salawat]] article discusses these honorifics in more detail, the most common ones being: '''The Prophet''' or '''(The) Holy Prophet''' in place of, or preceding, "[[Muhammad]]"; as well as '''PBUH''' (or the fuller "[[peace be upon him]]") and variants of PBUH. See [[MOS:PBUH]] for more information.

===MOS:PEACOCK===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:PUFFERY}}}}}}
Words such as ''legendary'', ''greatest'', ''acclaimed'', ''iconic'', ''visionary'', ''outstanding'', etc., are often used without attribution to [[WP:PROMO|promote the subject of an article]], while neither imparting nor plainly summarizing verifiable information. They are known as "[[MOS:PEACOCK|peacock terms]]" by Wikipedia contributors. See [[MOS:PEACOCK]].

===MOS:PERIOD===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style|extensive guidance]] on [[MOS:PUNCT|punctuation]], including terminal punctuation. Question marks or exclamation marks have almost no application in encyclopedic writing. Where a word or phrase that includes terminal punctuation ends a sentence, do not add a second terminal punctuation mark. If the word or phrase ends in a question mark or exclamation mark, readers may find the sentence confusing, so it is usually better to reword so that the mark appears mid-sentence. Not all contexts require terminal punctuation. Captions, list entries, and similar sentence fragments in most cases should not end with a period. See [[MOS:PERIOD]].

===MOS:PLURALS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:SINGULAR}}}}}}
Words adopted into English take the plurals shown in appropriate English dictionaries, otherwise we follow the pluralization conventions of the native language. Some [[collective noun]]s{{snd}}such as ''team'', ''army'', ''company'', ''crowd'', ''fleet'', ''government'' (and others) can take the singular or plural, depending whether it is viewed as a single entity, or to its members. In British English, such words are sometimes treated as singular, but more often treated as plural. In North American English, these words are almost invariably treated as singular (except for sports teams). Further details at [[MOS:PLURALS]].

===MOS:PMC===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:SIC}}}}}}
Quotations must be verifiably attributed, and the wording of the quoted text must be faithfully reproduced. This is referred to as the ''principle of minimal change''. See [[MOS:PMC]].

===MOS:POPCULT===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Trivia sections#"In popular culture" and "Cultural references" material|extensive guidance]] about trivia and popular culture. Cultural references about the article's subject should not be included merely because they exist. Cultural aspects of the subject should be included only if they are supported by reliable secondary or tertiary sources that discuss the subject's cultural impact in some depth. The mere appearance of the subject in a film, song, video game, television show, or the like is insufficient; more generally, if sourcing for a given cultural reference is such that a given article would be able to do little more than briefly mention it, then it doesn't merit inclusion in that article at all. See [[MOS:POPCULT]].

===MOS:POSS===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Possessives|guidance]] on the use of possessives. For [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Singular nouns|singular nouns]], add ''&apos;s'' ({{xt|her niece's wedding}}); for a normal [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Plural nouns|plural noun]] ending with a pronounced ''s'', form the possessive by adding just an apostrophe ({{xt|my sons' wives}}); [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Official names|official names]] should not be altered. ({{xt|[[St Thomas' Hospital]]}} should therefore {{em|not}} be rendered as {{!xt|St Thomas's Hospital}} or {{!xt|St. Thomas Hospital}}, even for consistency.  For more details, see [[MOS:POSS]].

===MOS:POSTNOM===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Post-nominal letters|extensive guidance]] on the use of [[MOS:POSTNOM|post-nominal letters]] and [[MOS:HONORIFIC|Honorifics]]. [[Post-nominal letters]] may be included in any part of the article ''other'' than the lead sentence. Post-nominals should only be mentioned at relevant places in a biography subject's own article (except the lead) and in other special circumstances. Please see [[MOS:POSTNOM]] for further details. For formatting issues, please see [[MOS:POSTNOMVAR]].

===MOS:POUND===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:NUMBERSIGN}}, {{slink||MOS:HASH}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style|extensive guidance]] on [[MOS:PUNCT|punctuation]], including the [[number sign]] (pound, hash). Avoid using the [[Number sign|{{!xt|#}}]] symbol ([[number sign]], hash sign, pound sign) when referring to numbers or rankings. Instead write {{xt|number}}, {{xt|No.}} or {{xt|Nos.}}; do not use the symbol [[Numero sign|{{!xt|№}}]]. For example: {{xt|Her album reached number one in the UK albums chart}}, ''not'': {{!xt|#1}}. See [[MOS:POUND]].

===MOS:PREFIX===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:REVEREND}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Honorifics|extensive guidance]] about honorifics including honorific prefixes like His/Her Excellency, [[The Right Honourable]], [[Sir]], [[Dame (title)|Dame]], [[Lord]], and [[Lady]] and other examples. See [[MOS:PREFIX]].

===MOS:PRONOUNS===
[[First person pronouns|First person]]: to maintain an objective and impersonal encyclopedic voice, an article should never refer to its editors or readers using ''I'', ''my'', ''we'', ''us'', ''our'', or similar words. [[Second person pronouns|Second person]]:Avoid addressing the reader using ''you'' or ''your'', which sets an inappropriate tone. [[Third person pronouns|Third-person]]:Refer to a person with pronouns (and other gendered words) that reflect their latest self-identification in recent reliable sources. See [[MOS:PRONOUNS]].

===MOS:PRONUNCIATION===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Pronunciation|extensive guidance]] on how to indicate the pronunciation of article titles, using the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]], [[Help:Pronunciation respelling key|pronunciation respelling]], or with an audio file. See [[MOS:PRONUNCIATION]].

===MOS:PROPER===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:PROPERNAME}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters|extensive guidance]] on capitalization, including for [[MOS:PROPER|proper names]]. See [[MOS:PROPER]].

===MOS:PROPERNAME===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PROPER}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters|extensive guidance]] on capitalization, including for [[MOS:PROPER|proper names]]. See [[MOS:PROPER]].

===MOS:PUFFERY===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PEACOCK}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Words such as ''legendary'', ''greatest'', ''acclaimed'', ''iconic'', ''visionary'', ''outstanding'', etc., are often used without attribution to [[WP:PROMO|promote the subject of an article]], while neither imparting nor plainly summarizing verifiable information. They are known as "[[MOS:PEACOCK|peacock terms]]" by Wikipedia contributors. See [[MOS:PEACOCK]].

===MOS:PUNCT===
Wikipedia has style guidance on [[MOS:PUNCT|punctuation]], including usage of [[MOS:APOSTROPHE|apostrophe]], [[MOS:QUOTEMARKS|Quotation marks]], [[MOS:CURLY|straight and curly quotation characters]], [[MOS:BRACKETS|Brackets and parentheses]], [[MOS:COMMA|comma]], [[MOS:COLON|colon]], [[MOS:HYPHEN|hyphens]] and [[MOS:DASH|dashes]], [[MOS:SLASH|slash]], [[MOS:PERIOD|period]], and much more. See [[MOS:PUNCT]].

===MOS:QUOTE===
Quotations are placed between double [[MOS:STRAIGHT|{{xt|{{big|<b>"</b>}}straight{{big|<b>"</b>}}}} quotation marks]], not [[MOS:CURLY|{{!xt|{{big|<b>“</b>}}curly{{big|<b>”</b>}}}} ones]]. The wording of the quoted text must be faithfully reproduced, except that punctuation and purely typographical elements of quoted text are adapted to the Wikipedia Manual of style. For further details, see [[MOS:QUOTE]].

===MOS:RACIST===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:LABEL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Contentious labels|guidance]] on the use of contentious labels, like ''racist'', ''sexist'', ''homophobic'', ''extremist'', ''terrorist'', ''neo-Nazi'', ''pseudoscientific'', and [[MOS:LABEL|many more]]. [[Loaded language|Value-laden]] labels&nbsp;– such as calling an organization a ''[[cult]]'', an individual a ''[[racist]], [[sexist]], [[terrorist]]'', or a ''[[freedom fighter]]'', or a sexual practice a ''[[perversion]]''&nbsp;– may express contentious opinion and are best avoided unless widely used by reliable sources to describe the subject, in which case use [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#In-text attribution|in-text attribution]]. For further details see [[MOS:LABEL]].

===MOS:RECENT===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURRENT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Statements likely to become outdated|guidance]] about chronological items. Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. [[Wikipedia:How the Current events page works|the "Current events" portal]]), terms such as {{!xt|now}}, {{!xt|today}}, {{!xt|currently}}, {{!xt|present}}, {{!xt|to date}}, {{!xt|so far}}, {{!xt|soon}}, {{!xt|upcoming}}, {{!xt|ongoing}}, and {{!xt|recently}} should be avoided in favor of phrases such as {{xt|during the 2010s}}, {{xt|since 2010}}, and {{xt|in August 2020}}. Wording in prose can be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not {{!xt|she is the current director}} but {{xt|she became director on 1 January {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}; not {{!xt|2010{{ndash}}present}} but {{xt|beginning in 2010}} or {{xt|since 2010}}. See [[MOS:CURRENT]].

===MOS:REFERENCES===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:NOTES}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the typical layout and formatting of Wikipedia articles, including the sections an article usually has, and their ordering. The Notes and references section may contain [[Help:Footnotes#Footnotes: predefined groups|Explanatory footnotes]], [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Inline citations|footnotes]], full citations to sources, and [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#General references|General references]]. For further details, see [[MOS:LAYOUTNAV]].

===MOS:REFPUNCT===
Reference tags should <em>immediately</em> follow the text to which the footnote applies, with no intervening space. See [[MOS:REFPUNCT]].

===MOS:REFS===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:NOTES}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the typical layout and formatting of Wikipedia articles, including the sections an article usually has, and their ordering. The Notes and references section may contain [[Help:Footnotes#Footnotes: predefined groups|Explanatory footnotes]], [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Inline citations|footnotes]], full citations to sources, and [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#General references|General references]]. For further details, see [[MOS:LAYOUTNAV]].

===MOS:REFSPACE===
Reference tags should <em>immediately</em> follow the text to which the footnote applies, with no intervening space. References are placed <em>after</em> adjacent punctuation, not before. (Exception: they go <em>before</em> dashes.) A series of multiple reference tags should have no space between them. See [[MOS:REFSPACE]].

===MOS:RELTIME===
Absolute specifications of time are preferred to relative constructions using ''recently, currently'', and so on, because the latter may go out of date. "By {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} contributions had dropped" has the same meaning as "Recently, contributions have dropped", but the first sentence retains its meaning as time passes. Words to watch: ''recently, lately, currently, today, to date, X years ago, in the past, this/last/next year/month/season soon, since''. See [[MOS:RELTIME]].

===MOS:REPEATLINK===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:DUPLINK}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Link a term at most once per major section; however they may be used more often in [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Glossaries|glossaries]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists|stand-alone and embedded lists]] if it significantly aids the reader. Terms in citations may be linked as often as necessary. See [[MOS:DUPLINK]].

===MOS:RETAIN===
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#National varieties of English|extensive guidance]] on national varieties of English. An article should not be edited or renamed simply to switch from one variety of English to another. When an English variety's [[#Consistency within articles|consistent usage]] has been established in an article, maintain it in the absence of consensus to the contrary. Only very exceptionally (such as when a topic has [[#Strong national ties to a topic|strong national ties]], or the change reduces ambiguity) is there a valid reason for changing from one acceptable option to another. (Exception: [[MOS:RETAINQUOTEVARIETY|do not change the variety of English within a quotation]].) See [[MOS:RETAIN]].

===MOS:REVEREND===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PREFIX}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Honorifics|extensive guidance]] about honorifics including honorific prefixes like His/Her Excellency, [[The Right Honourable]], [[Sir]], [[Dame (title)|Dame]], [[Lord]], and [[Lady]] and other examples. See [[MOS:PREFIX]].

===MOS:ROLEBIO===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of style/Biography|extensive guidance]] on biographical artices, including the use of positions and roles in the lead. The noteworthy position(s) or role(s) the person held should usually be stated in the [[MOS:LEADPARAGRAPH|opening paragraph]]. However, avoid [[MOS:LEADCLUTTER|overloading the lead paragraph]] with various and sundry roles; instead, emphasize what made the person notable. Incidental and non-noteworthy roles (i.e. activities that are not integral to the person's notability) should usually not be mentioned in the lead paragraph. See [[MOS:ROLEBIO]].

===MOS:SAWW===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PBUH}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Islam-related articles|guidance]] on the way to refer to the prophet [[Muhammad]]. Honorifics for [[Muhammad]] should generally not be used in articles. The [[Salawat]] article discusses these honorifics in more detail, the most common ones being: '''The Prophet''' or '''(The) Holy Prophet''' in place of, or preceding, "[[Muhammad]]"; as well as '''PBUH''' (or the fuller "[[peace be upon him]]") and variants of PBUH. See [[MOS:PBUH]] for more information.

===MOS:SCAREQUOTES===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:ALLEGED}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Watch out for words like ''supposed'', ''apparent'', ''purported'', ''alleged'', ''accused'', ''so-called'' which can imply that a given point is inaccurate; see [[MOS:ALLEGED]].

===MOS:SCIENTIFIC===
The Manual of style has guidance on the formatting of the [[scientific name]]s of organisms. Normally, you should capitalize (but not italicize taxa higher than [[genus]] (with a few exceptions, like viruses which are italicized). For further details, see [[MOS:SCIENTIFIC]].

===MOS:SEAOFBLUE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:SOB}}}}}}
Do not place links next to each other that appear to be a single link, as in <code><nowiki>[[chess]] [[tournament]]</nowiki></code> ([[chess]] [[tournament]]). Instead, consider using a single and more specific link, such as <code><nowiki>[[chess tournament]]</nowiki></code> ([[chess tournament]]). If this is not possible, consider omitting one of the links ([[chess]] tournament) or rephrasing the sentence ([[tournament]] of [[chess]]). See [[MOS:SEAOFBLUE]].

===MOS:SEASON===
Avoid using seasons to refer to a particular time of year, as they are different in the in the [[Northern Hemisphere|Northern]] and [[Southern Hemisphere]]. Season names are generally not capitalized. See [[MOS:SEASON]].

===MOS:SECTIONCAPS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:HEADCAPS}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters#Headings, headers, and captions|guidance]] on the use of capitalization in section headings. Use [[sentence case]], not [[title case]], in all section headings. Capitalize the first character of the first element if it is a letter, but leave the rest lower case except for proper names and other items that would ordinarily be capitalized in running text. See [[MOS:SECTIONCAPS]].

===MOS:SECTIONHEADINGS===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:HEADINGS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#Section headings|extensive guidance]] on section headings. Section headings follow the guidance for [[WP:AT|article titles]] and are presented in [[sentence case]]. All headings must be on their own line, preceded by exactly one blank line, and followed by one or no blank lines. See [[MOS:HEADINGS]].

===MOS:SECTIONLINK===
If an article has a section specifically about a topic, linking to that section takes the reader directly to the relevant information. Section-linking options are [[MOS:SECTLINK|piped links]], [[MOS:SECTLINK|redirects]], and the {{tlx|Section link}} template, which also generates the {{char|§}} character. Avoid displaying the hash ({{char|#}}) character in section links; do not simply write <nowiki>[[foo#bar]]</nowiki>, which will render as {{Bad example|foo#bar}}. See [[MOS:SECTIONLINK]].

===MOS:SECTIONORDER===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:ORDER}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Order of article elements|extensive guidance]] about the [[Page layout|layout]] of Wikipedia articles, and lists the recommended order of sections in the article. See [[MOS:SECTIONORDER]].

===MOS:SECTIONSTYLE===
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of section headings. [[Help:Section|Section headings]] should generally follow the guidance for [[WP:Manual of Style#Article titles|article titles]] and be presented in [[sentence case]] ({{xt|Funding of UNESCO projects in developing countries}}), not [[title case]] ({{!xt|Funding of UNESCO Projects in Developing Countries}}). All headings must be on their own line, preceded by exactly one blank line, and followed by either one or no blank lines. See [[MOS:SECTIONSTYLE]] for more information and numerous examples.

===MOS:SEEALSO===
The [[WP:SEEALSO|See also section]] should be a bulleted list, sorted either logically, chronologically, or alphabetically. List entries should begin with a capital letter, and are limited to a reasonable number. See [[MOS:SEEALSO]].

===MOS:SEMICOLON===
A [[semicolon]] ({{xt|;}}) is sometimes an alternative to a full stop (period), enabling related material to be kept in the same sentence; it marks a more decisive division in a sentence than a comma. See [[MOS:SEMICOLON]]. For the use of semicolon before ''however'', see [[MOS:HOWEVER]].

===MOS:SIC===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PMC}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Quotations must be verifiably attributed, and the wording of the quoted text must be faithfully reproduced. This is referred to as the ''principle of minimal change''. See [[MOS:PMC]].

===MOS:SINCE===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURRENT}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Statements likely to become outdated|guidance]] about chronological items. Except on pages that are inherently time-sensitive and updated regularly (e.g. [[Wikipedia:How the Current events page works|the "Current events" portal]]), terms such as {{!xt|now}}, {{!xt|today}}, {{!xt|currently}}, {{!xt|present}}, {{!xt|to date}}, {{!xt|so far}}, {{!xt|soon}}, {{!xt|upcoming}}, {{!xt|ongoing}}, and {{!xt|recently}} should be avoided in favor of phrases such as {{xt|during the 2010s}}, {{xt|since 2010}}, and {{xt|in August 2020}}. Wording in prose can be modified to remove the "now" perspective: not {{!xt|she is the current director}} but {{xt|she became director on 1 January {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}; not {{!xt|2010{{ndash}}present}} but {{xt|beginning in 2010}} or {{xt|since 2010}}. See [[MOS:CURRENT]].

===MOS:SINGULAR===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:PLURALS}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Words adopted into English take the plurals shown in appropriate English dictionaries, otherwise we follow the pluralization conventions of the native language. Some [[collective noun]]s{{snd}}such as ''team'', ''army'', ''company'', ''crowd'', ''fleet'', ''government'' (and others) can take the singular or plural, depending whether it is viewed as a single entity, or to its members. In British English, such words are sometimes treated as singular, but more often treated as plural. In North American English, these words are almost invariably treated as singular (except for sports teams). Further details at [[MOS:PLURALS]].

===MOS:SMALL===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:FONTSIZE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The [[Wikipedia:Manual of style]] has guidance about the use of [[font size]]. Editors should avoid manually inserting large and small fonts into prose. Reduced or enlarged font sizes should be used sparingly. Size changes are specified as a ''percentage'' of the original font size and not as an absolute size in pixels or point size. Do not apply {{tag|small}} or {{tlx|small}} to [[plain text]] in contexts like [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|infoboxes]], [[Wikipedia:Navigation template|navboxes]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Notes and references|reference sections]] where the font is already small. See [[MOS:FONTSIZE]].

===MOS:SMALLFONT===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting#Font size|guidance]] on the use of small font size. No text should be reduced below 85% of the page's default font size. Avoid reducing font size within elements that already use smaller text, such as [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|infoboxes]], [[Wikipedia:Navigation template|navboxes]], and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout#Notes and references|reference sections]]. See [[MOS:SMALLFONT]].

===MOS:SPELLING===
If you are not familiar with a spelling, please do some research before changing it. There are numerous differences in spelling, especially in the case of [[American and British English spelling differences|American and British English]], as well as other national [[varieties of English]]. See [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Spelling#English spelling comparison chart|this table]] for a list of the most common examples. Further details at [[MOS:SPELLING]].

===MOS:STRAIGHT===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:CURLY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Use {{xt|{{big|<b>"</b>}}straight{{big|<b>"</b>}}}} quotation marks, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>“</b>}}curly{{big|<b>”</b>}}}} ones. (For [[single quotes]]: {{xt|{{big|<b>'</b>}}straight{{big|<b>'</b>}}}}, not {{!xt|{{big|<b>‘</b>}}curly{{big|<b>’</b>}}}}.) See [[MOS:CURLY]].

===MOS:STYLEVAR===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:VAR}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#National varieties of English|extensive guidance]] on national varieties of English. Sometimes, the MOS provides more than one acceptable style or gives no specific guidance. When more than one style is acceptable, it is generally considered inappropriate for a Wikipedia editor to change from one style to another unless there is some substantial reason for the change. [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|Edit warring]] over style, or enforcing optional style in a [[Wikipedia:Bot policy#Assisted editing guidelines|bot-like]] fashion without prior consensus, is [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disruptive]] and is never acceptable. See [[MOS:VAR]].

===MOS:SURNAME===
After the initial mention, a person should generally be referred to by surname only – without an honorific prefix such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Ms.", and without academic or professional prefixes like "Dr.", "Prof.", "Rev.", etc. – or may be referred to by a personal pronoun. See [[MOS:SURNAME]].

===MOS:SUBSECTION===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Layout|extensive guidance]] on the layout of Wikipedia articles, including the use and formatting of [[MOS:SUBSECTION|headings of sections and subsections]]. There is a six-level section hierarchy, starting at 1 and ending at 6. The level is defined by the number of equals signs on each side of the title. See [[MOS:SUBSECTION]].

===MOS:TABLE===
The Manual of style has [[Help:Table|extensive guidance]] on the formatting, appearance, accessibility, and sortability of Tables in Wikipedia articles, including lists of [[MOS:WHENTABLE|do's]] and [[MOS:NO-TABLES|dont's]]. See [[MOS:TABLE]]. (For technical help in creating tables, see [[Help:Table]].)

===MOS:TENSE===
By default, write articles in the [[present tense]], including those about [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tense in fiction|works of fiction]] and discontinued products. Use [[past tense]] only for past events and for subjects that are dead or no longer meaningfully exist, such as deceased people or defunct companies. See [[MOS:TENSE]] for numerous examples and further details.

===MOS:TERRORIST===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:LABEL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Contentious labels|guidance]] on the use of contentious labels, like ''racist'', ''sexist'', ''homophobic'', ''extremist'', ''terrorist'', ''neo-Nazi'', ''pseudoscientific'', and [[MOS:LABEL|many more]]. [[Loaded language|Value-laden]] labels&nbsp;– such as calling an organization a ''[[cult]]'', an individual a ''[[racist]], [[sexist]], [[terrorist]]'', or a ''[[freedom fighter]]'', or a sexual practice a ''[[perversion]]''&nbsp;– may express contentious opinion and are best avoided unless widely used by reliable sources to describe the subject, in which case use [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#In-text attribution|in-text attribution]]. For further details see [[MOS:LABEL]].

===MOS:THEBAND===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:THEMUSIC}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Music#Names (definite article)|guidance]] on the use of the word "the" as the first word of a band's name. When the word ''the'' is sometimes or consistently used at the beginning of a band's name, a redirect (or disambiguation) should be created with the alternative name (with or without "the"). Mid-sentence, the word ''the'' should in general not be capitalized in runnng text, e.g.: {{xt|[[Wings (band)|Wings]] featured Paul McCartney from [[the Beatles]] and Denny Laine from [[the Moody Blues]].}} See [[MOS:THEMUSIC]].

===MOS:THECAPS===
Regarding the capitalization of ''The'', normally do not capitalize the definite article after the first word of a sentence; howeever, some idiomatic expressions, including the titles of artistic and academic works, should be quoted exactly, according to common usage. For example, {{xt|J. R. R. Tolkien wrote ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}, but {{xt|Homer wrote the ''[[Odyssey]]''.}} There are many exceptions and it can be tricky; see [[MOS:THECAPS]].

===MOS:THEMUSIC===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:THEBAND}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Music#Names (definite article)|guidance]] on the use of the word "the" as the first word of a band's name. When the word ''the'' is sometimes or consistently used at the beginning of a band's name, a redirect (or disambiguation) should be created with the alternative name (with or without "the"). Mid-sentence, the word ''the'' should in general not be capitalized in runnng text, e.g.: {{xt|[[Wings (band)|Wings]] featured Paul McCartney from [[the Beatles]] and Denny Laine from [[the Moody Blues]].}} See [[MOS:THEMUSIC]].

===MOS:THENICKNAME===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:NICKNAMETHE}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography#Alternative names|extensive guidance]] about the use and formatting of alternative names in biographical articles. For nicknames, a leading [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters#Capitalization of The|"the" is not capitalized]]. Example: [[Jack Tatum|{{xt|Jack "the Assassin" Tatum}}]]; or: {{xt|Jack Tatum, nicknamed "the Assassin"}}. See [[MOS:NICKNAMETHE]].

===MOS:TIES===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#National varieties of English|extensive guidance]] about national varieties of English. An article on a topic that has strong ties to a particular [[English-speaking nation]] should use the standard (formal, not colloquial) English of that nation. See [[MOS:TIES]].

===MOS:TIME===
The [[MOS:TIME]] guideline covers issues of 12- vs. [[MOS:TIME|24-hour clock times]] and [[MOS:TIMEZONE|time zones]]. See [[MOS:TIME]].

===MOS:TITLE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Titles of works|extensive guidance]] on title formats, including [[MOS:FOREIGNTITLE|foreign titles]], and recommended style for titles of works, such as [[MOS:TITLECAPS|capitalization]] and [[MOS:ITALICTITLE|italics]] versus [[MOS:QUOTETITLE|quotation marks]], and which ones [[MOS:NEITHER|take neither]]. See [[MOS:TITLE]].

===MOS:TM===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Trademarks|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of trademarks. Capitalize trademarks, like [[proper names]], e.g. [[Pyrex|{{xt|Pyrex}}]], ''not:'' {{!xt|pyrex}}. Do not expect readers to know what an item is, based solely on trademark or brand name. For example: ''use:'' {{xt|Police in Miami confiscated 25 stolen [[Rolex]] watches.}}, ''not:'' {{!xt|Police in Miami confiscated 25 stolen Rolexes.}} Much more detail at [[MOS:TM]].

===MOS:TMRULES===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Trademarks#General rules|extensive guidance]] on the use of trademarks. Capitalize trademarks, like [[proper name]]s, e.g., ''use:'' [[Pyrex|{{xt|Pyrex}}]], ''not'' {{!xt|pyrex}}. Follow standard English [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Text formatting|text formatting]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Capital letters|capitalization]] practices, even if the trademark owner considers nonstandard formatting "official". Use: [[Time (magazine)|{{xt|''Time''}}]], [[Kiss (band)|{{xt|Kiss}}]], [[Asus|{{xt|Asus}}]], [[Sony Mobile|{{xt|Sony Mobile}}]]. not {{!xt|''TIME''}}, {{!xt|KISS}}, {{!xt|ASUS}}, {{!xt|SONY Mobile}}. See [[MOS:TMRULES]] for lots more details anL numerous examples.

===MOS:TRIVIA===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Trivia sections|extensive guidance]] about trivia and popular culture. Avoid collections of miscellaneous facts or examples, since Wikipedia is [[WP:INDISCRIMINATE|not an indiscriminate collection]] of information. These risk becoming trivia magnets, which grow increasingly unwieldy as items are added. See [[MOS:TRIVIA]].

===MOS:TVCOUNTRY===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:TVNATIONALITY}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Television#Lead paragraphs|guidance]] about the nationality or country of origin of a television series. It should be referenced by reliable sources, directly if possible, but otherwise by referencing the country or collaboration within which principal creative control was exercised. See [[MOS:TVNATIONALITY]].

===MOS:TVNATIONALITY===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:TVCOUNTRY}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Television#Lead paragraphs|guidance]] about the nationality or country of origin of a television series. It should be referenced by reliable sources, directly if possible, but otherwise by referencing the country or collaboration within which principal creative control was exercised. See [[MOS:TVNATIONALITY]].

===MOS:TVNOW===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Television|extensive guidance]] about television-related articles. When onsidering verb tense, references to the show, and its characters and locations, should always be in the present tense, as the show will still exist even after it is no longer airing new episodes (e.g. "The ''Dick Van Dyke Show'' is a show that aired from 1961 to 1966."). Most production and broadcast information should be referred to in past tense: "''The Afternoon Show'' '''is''' a British [[talk show]] which '''was''' broadcast by Channel 1 between 2008 and 2011." See [[MOS:TVNOW]].

===MOS:UNFORTUNATELY===
{{nosecinclude|{{Hatnote|Duplicate of {{slink||MOS:EDITORIAL}}; keep the two sections synchronized if editing the reason.}}}}
Using descriptors like ''notable'' (or: ''it should be noted'', ''interestingly'', ''of course'', ''fortunately'', ''unfortunately'', etc.) to highlight something as particularly significant or certain without attributing that opinion should usually be avoided so as to maintain an [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view#Impartial tone|impartial tone]]. For further details and more words to watch, see [[MOS:EDITORIAL]]..

===MOS:UNITS===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonyms: {{slink||MOS:METRIC}}, {{slink||MOS:MEASUREMENT}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers#Units of measurement|extensive guidance]] on formatting units of measurement. Quantities are typically expressed using an appropriate "primary unit" (e.g., kilometers) displayed first, followed, when appropriate, by a conversion in parentheses e.g. {{xt|{{convert|200|km|mi}}}}. For details on when and how to provide a conversion, see [[MOS:CONVERSIONS]]. The choice of primary units depends on the circumstances, and should respect the principle of [[Wikipedia:Strong national ties|strong national ties]], where applicable; for example in the U.S., use pounds, [[statute mile|miles]], feet, inches, etc., and in other articles, use [[International System of Units|SI]] units (such as meters or kilograms. The UK has special rules, depending on context. For more information on [[MOS:NUM#Unit choice and order|unit choice and order]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit conversions|unit conversions]], [[MOS:NUM#Unit names and symbols|unit names and symbols]], and [[MOS:NUM#Quantities of bytes and bits|quantities of bytes and bits]], see [[MOS:UNITS]].

===MOS:UNLINKDATES===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers|extensive guidance]] on the use and formatting of dates. Dates, years, and other chronological items should be linked only when they are relevant to the subject and likely to be useful to a reader (except articles that are explicitly about a chronological item, e.g. [[2002]], [[19th century]]). For dates in sortable tables, see {{section link|Help:Sortable tables|Date sorting problems}}. See [[MOS:UNLINKDATES]].

===MOS:US===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:NOTUSA}}}}}}
Both {{xt|US}} and {{xt|U.S.}} are seen as abbreviations for 'United States', with {{xt|US}} generally preferred, but there are many exceptions. See [[MOS:US]].

===MOS:VAGUE===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|extensive guidance]] on words to watch, including expressions that lack precision, such as [[MOS:EUPHEMISM|euphemisms]], [[MOS:CLICHE|clichés and idioms]], [[MOS:RELTIME|relative time references]], [[MOS:WHATPLACE|unspecified places or events]], and others. See [[MOS:VAGUE]] for details.

===MOS:VAR===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:STYLEVAR}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[WP:Manual of Style#National varieties of English|extensive guidance]] on national varieties of English. Sometimes, the MOS provides more than one acceptable style or gives no specific guidance. When more than one style is acceptable, it is generally considered inappropriate for a Wikipedia editor to change from one style to another unless there is some substantial reason for the change. [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|Edit warring]] over style, or enforcing optional style in a [[Wikipedia:Bot policy#Assisted editing guidelines|bot-like]] fashion without prior consensus, is [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disruptive]] and is never acceptable. See [[MOS:VAR]].

===MOS:WE===
{{nosecinclude|{{hatnote|Synonym: {{slink||MOS:OUR}}}}}}
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#First-person_pronouns|guidance]] on the use and formatting of first-person pronouns. To maintain an objective and impersonal encyclopedic voice, an article should never refer to its editors or readers using ''I'', ''my'', ''we'', ''us'', ''our'', or similar words; e.g., avoid: {{!xt|We note that some believe that bats are bugs}}. For more details, see [[MOS:WE]].

===MOS:WEASEL===
Avoid the use of [[MOS:WEASEL|weasel words]] that may give the impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated. Examples: ''some say, it is believed, experts declare, it is often reported, research has shown, science says, officially, is widely regarded as, {{var|X}} has been described as {{var|Y}}''. Claims about what people say, think, or believe, and what has been shown, demonstrated, or proved should be [[WP:INCITE|clearly attributed]]. See [[MOS:WEASEL]].

===MOS:WORDS===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|extensive guidance]] on words to watch, including [[MOS:PEACOCK|words that may introduce bias]], [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Expressions that lack precision|expressions that lack precision]], [[MOS:VULGAR|vulgarities, obscenities, and profanities]], and others. See [[MOS:WORDS]] for details.

===MOS:YOU===
The Manual of style has [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Second-person pronouns|guidance]] on the use of the pronoun ''you''. Avoid addressing the reader using ''you'' or ''your'', which sets an inappropriate tone. See also {{slink|Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Instructional and presumptuous language|nopage=yes}}. In some contexts, the impersonal pronoun ''[[One (pronoun)|one]]'' may be used: {{xt|a sense that one is being watched}}. The [[English passive voice|passive voice]] may sometimes be used instead: {{xt|Impurities are removed before bottling}}. See [[MOS:YOU]].