Okay, OK, or O.K.? Do You Know Which Is Correct, Incorrect, Or Preferred?

by | Grammar and Usage, Other Helpful Information, Proofreading | 8 comments

Review Board is now open! Submit your Short Prose, Poetry, and Book today!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Deadline: Thursday, February 22nd

Okay, OK, or O.K.? Do You Know Which Is Correct, Incorrect, Or Preferred?

Updated June 2023

The short answer is: It depends.

Based on our research, O.K. and o.k. should be avoided. None of the grammar books we reference support the use of this form.

According to Gregg Reference Manualokay is written without periods. “In sentences, the forms okay, okayed, and okaying look better than OK, OK’d, and OK’ing, but the latter forms may be used.” When used as a verb, spelling okay out is preferred.

OK is the form supported by Merriam-Webster and the AP style guide. If you are writing in AP style, you should only use OK.

AP style:
The bank hasn’t yet OK’d my loan for a Lamborghini. Is it OK if I borrow your car until then?

Any style other than AP (if you prefer):
The bank hasn’t okayed my loan, so can you spot me the cash? Is it okay if I pay you back in Lamborghini rides instead of money?

There isn’t a steadfast rule for this issue, so each writer must choose between “preferred” forms as opposed to “correct” forms. If you are not writing in AP style, it is up to you or your publisher to decide whether to use OK or okay. At the end of the day, we recommend being consistent throughout. If you’re going to spell it out one time in your work, you should spell it out every time.

Once you finally think you’re okay to send your work out to the world, why not say OK to Writer’s Relief? Our research specialists and submission strategists can help you target the best markets for your work and boost your odds of getting published. Ninety percent of our short story and poetry clients have garnered an acceptance with our help! Learn more about our services and submit your writing sample today!

Submit to Review Board

8 Comments

  1. Jason

    Should not be used at all unless a further explanation of why you consider it okay.

    Reply
  2. Alison

    The word OK looks out of place in the middle of a sentence. I prefer okay even if it’s not the correct AP style.

    Reply
    • SG

      Me too, without a doubt. I was quite surprised to find that OK is universally accepted. It just doesn’t look professional.

      Reply
  3. Paul Sherman

    I always use OK in fiction but my American publisher insists on okay

    Reply
  4. William Pitt

    OK seems more stern and firm, sometimes giving off a negative vibe while okay feels more warm, inviting and friendly.

    Reply
    • madison

      i agree.

      Reply
  5. madison

    I always use ok though sometimes people prefer, “okay” I disagree.

    Reply
  6. Kay

    Oh, Kay.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Review Board is now open! Submit your Short Prose, Poetry, and Book today!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

 

 

See ALL the services we offer, from
FREE to Full Service!

Click here for a Writer’s Relief
Full Service Overview

Search

Reviews

“Getting that first poem published was the hardest threshold to cross. My team at Writer’s Relief kept encouraging me…then came the acceptance! We celebrated…then I continued writing, and Writer’s Relief continued doing the wonderful work they do!”

—King Grossman, Writer
(Watch King’s video testimonial here!)

“Every piece I have sent out with their help has been accepted for publication! I am looking forward to working with the team on getting my new novel out into the world.”

Services Catalog

Free Publishing Leads
and Tips!

Featured Articles



Featured Video

Follow us!



YES, IT'S MY LUCKY DAY!
Sign me up for
FREE Publishing Leads & Tips
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

WHY? Because our insider
know-how has helped
writers get over 18,000 acceptances.

FREE Publishing Leads and Tips! Our e-publication, Submit Write Now!, delivered weekly to your inbox.
  • BEST (and proven) submission tips
  • Hot publishing leads
  • Calls to submit
  • Contest alerts
  • Notification of industry changes
  • And much more!
close-link


STOP! BEFORE YOU GO...
Sign me up for
FREE Publishing Leads & Tips
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

WHY? Because our insider
know-how has helped
writers get over 18,000 acceptances.

FREE Publishing Leads and Tips! Our e-publication, Submit Write Now!, delivered weekly to your inbox.
  • BEST (and proven) submission tips
  • Hot publishing leads
  • Calls to submit
  • Contest alerts
  • Notification of industry changes
  • And much more!
close-link

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This