Trick or treat or trick-or-treat?

Halloween is here, with writers everywhere scratching their heads. What’s the correct phrase for the Beggar’s Night tradition that sends costumed children through neighborhoods to collect candy?

Is it trick or treating, or is it trick-or-treating?

Certainly, the English language overflows with spelling and grammar exceptions. We’ve also become rather sloppy, when it comes to correct usage.

But here’s the general rule, when we talk about trick or treating.

Used as an adjective, the phrase is hyphenated. Used as a verb or noun, it is generally not. 

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Consider these examples.

1. Katie wore a feathered hat for trick or treating.
2. Trick-or-treat candy always seems to taste better on-the-run.
3. Dozens of trick or treaters raced to the porch, where a basket of candy sat unattended.
4. What is your trick-or-treat costume this year?
5. Are you taking your children to trick or treat on Halloween?
6. My scariest trick-or-treating memory had something to do with a guy in a Santa suit with a scary-looking mask.
7. “Trick or treat! Trick or treat! Give us something good to eat,” the children shouted, as Patty opened her front door.
8. Do kids still play tricks, if they don’t receive treats on Halloween?

See? That’s not so tricky at all.

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Trick or treat or trick-or-treat

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Capitol vs. capital: What's the right word?

Psst! Here’s a capital question. When a writer refers to the seat of the nation’s government, what word should he or she employ?

Here’s a speedy rundown on the use of Capitol and capital.

In the nation’s capital, the Capitol houses elected legislators. These folks are tasked with allotting the country’s capital with fiscal responsibility. When they fail to do so, although it seems a capital offense, they still remain occupied in the Capitol.

How can a writer keep these two words straight? The word Capitol, referring to the government building, includes the letter “o,” as in “Oh, no!” or “OMG.”

By the way, when writing about the Capitol building, the word is capitalized.

Now, that’s a capital idea.

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Shutdown vs. shut down: Which is proper English?

The October 2013 U.S. federal government closure has writers and editors wondering about accurate wordings.

Is it shutdown or shut down?

Here’s the short version.

Use shutdown as a noun. Use shut down as a verb. It’s that simple. Take a look:

The U.S. federal government of 2013 shutdown essentially shut down plenty of properties, shutting out staffers and visitors. By shutting down federal government operations and departments deemed non-essential, the shutdown definitely idled many indefinitely.

Using shutdown and shut down interchangeably is not a federal offense. But it’s not correct.

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