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Stephenlearner Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Italic or italics

Hi,

I have seen phrases like "so and so written in italic" and "written in italics".
What is the difference between "in italic" and "in italics"?
Why does the word italic have plural form? I think it is an abstract, uncountable word.

Thanks very much.
  

Top answer

Hi, I'd say the use of 'in italic s ' is just idiomatic. ie We say it because everybody says it. I don't remember seeing or hearing 'in italic'.

— Clive

  • Hi, I'd say the use of 'in italic s ' is just idiomatic.
  • ie We say it because everybody says it.
  • I don't remember seeing or hearing 'in italic'.
  • It might be that we are thinking of 'in italic (letter) s '.
  • 'Italic' is, of course, the adjectival form, eg 'in italic script'.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

I'd say the use of 'in italics' is just idiomatic.
ie We say it because everybody says it. I don't remember seeing or hearing 'in italic'.

It might be that we are thinking of 'in italic (letter)s'.

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What about "in bold"?
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It's a very common phrase.
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