Is it on site, onsite, or on-site? I have used on-site for as far back as I can remember, but today, a client challenged me on it. So, to the trusty AP Stylebook we go. Time to find out if it is officially onsite or on-site AP Style ruling. Non-professional editor client, vs Professional Freelance Writer.
Verdict?
It is not in there. Doh!
So much for the easy smackdown. Time to dig deeper.
To the dictionary!
Dictionary is AP Stylebook Backstock
You’ll need the big version of your dictionary to find it, but there it is eventually: “on-site”.
Freelance writing professional is the winner! Ding, ding, ding.
So, one would presume that if there is no specific AP style onsite or on-site call out then the correct spelling is the one in the dictionary.
Honestly, for all but the most finicky publications, either onsite, or on-site will work. In other words, there is no reason to fight your editor here if they change it to one or the other as part of the publication process.
So, as far as this client is concerned if they would feel more comfortable publishing onsite vs on-site, I’m not going to worry about it. Sometimes, especially if your name is on it, you need to go to bat for the correct spelling, or the correct AP style so it doesn’t look to others that might find the publication that you aren’t sure what you are doing.
Otherwise, if they are happy, then I am happy whether I’m onsite or on site.
Seriously though, AP Stylebook, where were you?
I wonder if it will make the next edition. They are constantly updating the Associated Press Stylebook, so onsite or on-site might get an entry in the latest version. I suppose that is why one should probably get the online version. For me, however, I still like the feel of real books, especially real books of authority. That way, I can feel the power 🙂
More AP Style
Technically, this is the dictionary’s fault, but it turns out that beforehand is one word, not beforehand.
But nevermind is two words, never mind, not nevermind.
Sigh. English, sometimes I don’t know.
Of course, my kiddo is taking French and there are plenty of quirks there too. The best one is vert.
Vert means green, and vert means young. I think it means one more thing too, but I’m not sure.
I’m sitting in front of my AP Stylebook right now becoming frustrated over the same thing.
The AP Stylebook has this buried in “off-site.” The entry says “Hyphenated. Also: On-site.” Not very intuitive to find it there!
yup, I was about to say the same thing (six years later! lol) … it’s on page 217 (2020-2022 edition).
Thanks for this! I was very frustrated that AP style didn’t have on-site listed. I am so glad you found it under off-site and shared your find!
If there’s a hyphen, another noun needs to be associated with it. For example, you might meet with a person, “offsite,” but put extra office supplies in “off-site storage.” (According to the Columbia Journalism Review.)
http://www.cjr.org/language_corner/how_to_use_hyphens.php
That said, in Silicon Valley (where I work), I have “almost” never seen the hyphen used.