RE: FN-FORUM: E Commerce vs eCommerce vs ecommerce vs E-Commerce

date posted 17th October 2006 10:22

From 'askoxford.com'

-----------

What is the correct way to spell 'e' words such as 'email', 'ecommerce', 'egovernment'?
Should they be hyphenated or capitalized or neither?

We do not have a policy on e-words, because what we show in our dictionaries depends
upon the evidence available to the editors at the time a particular dictionary was
prepared. It is the Concise Oxford Dictionary which sets our own house style; unlike
the complete Oxford English Dictionary it is frequently revised and so can incorporate
linguistic changes and reflect current usage. The edition at the time of writing is
the first impression of the 11th edition, which came out in 2004. This shows the e-prefix
('denoting the use of electronic data transfer, especially through the Internet') in
lower case (Of course it would have a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence).

The Concise does not have an entry for e-government, but we expect one to appear in this
form (compare e-cash, e-commerce). We recommend email, as this is now by far the most
common form. If in doubt with other words, hyphenate - this is the most comprehensible
form of such words.

-----------

so, upper/lowercase depending on position in a sentance and hyponated 'e' other than in 'email' :)



>
>Question for the panel, how would you normally write E Commerce so that it
>doesn't suck? I'll know when its right, but none of the above really seems
>to work in all situations.
>
>Things to bear in mind...
>
>It needs to be consistent as it could appear as a bullet point, start of a
>sentence, page title or mid paragraph etc.
>
>It's not aimed at people like "us", but at the public.
>
>
>D
>
>
>--
>Freelancers, contractors earn more with Prosperity4
>Call 0870 870 4414 or visit www.prosperity4.com
>and benefit from Inland Revenue approved expenses today.
>
>To advertise here: http://www.freelancers.net/advertising.html
>
>