What is the correct way to write the word ebook? I need to know the rules for grammar?

Written by admin on November 5th, 2008


I have seen the word “ebook” used in many different ways and would like to know the correct way to type it in a sentence. I have seen it typed ebook, Ebook, eBook, e-book, E-book, etc. Which is correct and when do I write it differently such as if it is a title, or at the beginning of a sentence.
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4 Comments at "What is the correct way to write the word ebook? I need to know the rules for grammar?"

ed.knight November 8th, 2008 (#)

I guess is the best source to find out this answer. They spell it eBook….

….although it seems as if the format the file is in also affects the spelling.

E-book
Published as a “.doc” or “.txt”

eBook
Published as .pdf or .html

Don’t ask me why!

hajgora7 November 11th, 2008 (#)

The word is a neologism, so the ruling may be up to the dictionary writers, the lexicographers. You might write to James Kilpatrick who has a syndicated column on the English language, its grammar and syntax.

My own preference is for it to be NOT capitalized, but with a hypen. This is the clearest representation of the meaning of the word. It should NOT be capitalized, as it’s not a proper noun. If it is part of a title or at the beginning, it would be capitalized.

I don’t like the word, so I might use something else. A book is a book is a book, no matter whether printed on paper with ink or stored in a more advanced medium.

free_your_fancy November 14th, 2008 (#)

Doesn’t really matter as long as someone understands what an e-book is. It’s a fairly new construct, and just as with email, I would argue there is not only one correct way to spell it, as long as your reader knows what you’re talking about. It depends a lot upon the context. Basic rules apply — titles and proper nouns are capitalized, other nouns are not. So, in a title, E-book or Ebook and in a sentence, ebook or e-book.

Ultimately, it may be best to be very clear and not use the coined word at all.

Dolphin November 17th, 2008 (#)

eBook. Even if the computer tells you its wrong, it is right, even at the beginning of a sentence.

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