M

man/mankind

If generalising, say people, women and men, or men and women rather than 'man'. Say humanity or humankind rather than ‘mankind’.

For Bible verses, the default is to use the New International Version (NIV UK). Where quoting from the NIV, or from different versions, ensure the language is gender inclusive.

Yes: ‘He has shown all you people what is good’ (TNIV)
No: ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good’ (NIV)

media

Use a singular verb with media when it means newspapers, television, radio, magazines etc. So: The media was quick to pick up on the story, not The media were…

metaphors

Be careful not to mix them.

mid-January/mid-February etc

Note hyphen.

mid-morning/mid-afternoon

Note hyphen.

midweek

No hyphen.

miles/kilometres

The standard is to use miles rather than kilometres. Write as: One to ten miles but 2.5 miles, 11 miles. However, use kilometres if it makes more sense in context.

Be consistent with distances throughout the same piece of writing.

million

In running copy: a million or 1 million, 2.5 million, a quarter of a million, half a million. In headlines or if short of space: 2.5m.

minister

Use church leader unless minister is their actual title

missionary

Do not use.

more than

Use more than not over with numbers of a particular thing. So: More than 50 new churches have signed up… or More than 3,000 people attended the event.

Compare over.

mother-in-law

Note hyphens.

MP, MEP, MSP, MLA

Write as above if talking in general terms.

When referring to a named individual, check how they like to be referred to by searching for them at https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices

For someone who’s an MP only, use e.g. Diane Abbott MP (or whatever their preference is as detailed above). If they’re a minister or secretary of state, just use their title.

Mr, Mrs, Ms, Rev, Dr

No full stops.

In Myanmar, people are often addressed as Naw or Daw (women) or U (men). Note that these are not first names.

Multidrug therapy (MDT)

Note the capital m, no hyphen

Myanmar/Burma

Use Myanmar unless referring to the history of the country.

Mycobacterium leprae

Must be italicised: Mycobacterium leprae or M. leprae. Note no capital on leprae.

myself

Do not use myself when you mean me.

Yes: I felt pleased with myself etc.
No: If you have any questions, please call Helen or myself.