The Times Style Guide

Uncover the rules, conventions and policies on spelling, grammar and usage followed by the journalists, contributors and editors working on the Times newspaper.


Royal Family or royal family? Frontrunner or front-runner? Assure or ensure? Affect or effect? Even the most accomplished writer will run up against these and many similar problems in the quest for clear, elegant and grammatical writing.


The Times editors answer these and hundreds of other usage conundrums with a comprehensive collection of entries covering the quirky minefield of the English language.


Although no literary straitjacket, this authoritative guide is the foundation of correct English usage for all Times journalists and contributors and provides a benchmark style, the essential ingredient of all well-written English.