R
race
> See: nationality and race
ranges
Use the words to or between to represent the range between two factors:
The distance is from 12 to 15 miles.
Estimated attendance was between 15,000 and 17,000.
Use an en dash for abbreviated ranges appearing in listings and charts.
noon–3:00 p.m.
ratio
Use figures in formal writing, without a hyphen or colon:
There is a student/faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
reason . . . is that
Never say "the reason ... is because ... "
NOT The reason she applied to Emory is because the campus felt right.
BUT The reason she applied to Emory is that the campus felt right.
Better yet, cut the extra words:
She applied to Emory because the campus felt right.
> See also: because
refer, refer back
This word, derived from the Latin words meaning "carry back" or "carry again," already contains the idea of "back." The phrase refer back is redundant.
regard
The singular form is correct in prepositional phrases such as in regard to and with regard to, both of which mean the same thing as the antiquated plural form phrase as regards (NOT as regards to).
You can avoid the whole question of singular vs. plural, and can also sound much more modern, by simply replacing all those wordy phrases with concerning or about.
| Variant | Official Title |
|---|---|
| Protestant variants | The Reverend Charles Wesley, senior pastor, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church In conversational address: Dr. (or Mr.) Jones For letters/written reference: Rev. Charles Wesley Casual/generic reference: the minister, the pastor |
| Roman Catholic variants | The Reverend Bryan Small In conversational address: Father Small For letters/written reference: Father Small Casual/generic reference: the pastor |
| Jewish variants | For rabbi and cantor, capitalize these titles before a person's full name on first reference: Rabbi Zalman Lipskier. On second reference, use only the last name. |
| Muslim variants | The Imam Plemon El-Amin In conversational address: Imam El-Amin Casual/generic reference: the imam |
residence hall
Use this term rather than dormitory.
resume
No accent marks.
> See also: foreign words
Round Table v. roundtable
Use Round Table to describe King Arthur and his knights or when specifically used in a name. Use roundtable to describe meetings, conferences, and deliberations held in such a manner.
RSVP
All uppercase, no periods.