Internet, wi-fi, and e-mail.

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

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a9436
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Internet, wi-fi, and e-mail.

Post by a9436 »

Hello,

I am both reading and writing about feminism and technology at the moment, and am unsure as to the correct British English forms of the terms in the subject line.

- If I write about the Internet, am I correct to capitalise the I? I thought yes, but many of my sources use a lower case i. Could this be a regional factor?

- I write e-mail, to acknowledge that this is an abbreviation of electronic mail, but I see email more and more frequently.

- Is it wifi, wi-fi, Wi-Fi, WIFI, WiFi, or something else? I have seen so many different combinations!

Thank you very much for your help :) .
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Zoe303
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Post by Zoe303 »

All these forms are matters of style; there is no correct or incorrect form. What matters is that you be consistent with a form throughout your manuscript. If you use a certain dictionary while writing, for example, Oxford or Macmillan, it would be better to use the forms listed in it for consistency. :)
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lilac_coquelicot
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Post by lilac_coquelicot »

It is good practice to write the word correctly but there are words which are easily understandable whether one write it in any way eg e- mail or email
lilac_coquelicot
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Post by lilac_coquelicot »

I always use correct spelling.I follow e-mail,Wi-Fi and Internet.
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ayoomisope
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Post by ayoomisope »

The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) stipulates writing internet and email, although some other styles allow different forms.
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BeautySuzy
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Post by BeautySuzy »

I believe that they don't have a correct and incorrect form, they are just preferable to be written as Internet, Wi-Fi and E-mail.
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