page 1

as in “see page 1” (rather than page one); see pages 1 to 6

Paralympic Games

or Paralympics

Parkinson’s disease

parliament, parliamentary

part-time

hyphenated

party

Labour party, Conservative party etc but Scottish National Party

passive voice

aim for active verbs, especially in headings. Compare “The mat was sat on by the cat” with “The cat sat on the mat”

payday, payout

pensioners

do not use as a general description of older people

per cent, percentage

per cent is two words; percentage is one. Spell out per cent in text but use % in tables

persons

avoid. They are people

postcode

postgraduate

postmortem

practice (noun)

she developed her professional practice in a GP surgery

practise (verb)

she practised her professional skills; fitness to practise

principal (adjective and noun)

meaning main – for example, the principal aim in negotiations. Note that the head of a college is the principal

principle (noun)

a belief or truth – for example, stick to your principles

programme

not program, not even in reference to computers