Final answer:
The correct sentence adhering to AP style is 'b) The ambassador said.' as it properly concludes with a period, indicating the end of a declarative sentence according to the punctuation rules of AP style.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main objective when adhering to AP style is to ensure clarity and consistency in writing. It's crucial to understand the correct usage of punctuation marks when constructing sentences in any journalistic style. According to AP style regarding punctuation, particularly the use of periods, a sentence should end with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point, depending on the context.
Given the options of:
- The ambassador said:
- The ambassador said.
- The ambassador, said.
- The ambassador, said:
The sentence that best adheres to AP style and is free of any punctuation, spelling, or grammatical errors is:
b) The ambassador said.
This sentence follows the AP guideline that a declarative sentence should end with a period. The sentence is also clearly ended, not leading the reader to expect a direct quotation or further information that is usually introduced by a colon. Therefore, option 'b' is the correct answer that follows AP style rules and is grammatically correct.