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Sep 16, 2022 · An abbreviation, simply put, is a shortened form of a word. In writing, abbreviations are useful when you need to squeeze a lot of writing into a small space. You can also use them in place of long or cumbersome phrases to make your sentences easier to read. Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines?
Jul 23, 2023 · Abbreviations are acceptable in formal writing. Explain an abbreviation at first use. Avoid overuse. Avoid using them in titles and headings or to start a sentence.
- When to abbreviate A Term
- When to Avoid Abbreviations
- Providing The Full Form
- Use of Capital Letters
- Use of Periods
- Use of a/an and The
- At The Start of A Sentence
- Plural Forms
An abbreviation as we know is the shortened form of a term. It is usually formed using the first letters of the words of a multi-word term, but it may simply be the short form of a single word. Abbreviations can help you avoid repeating long phrases in a document, thus making it more easily scannable and readable. But abbreviate a term only if it a...
Abbreviations can be quite useful when space is limited, but you should confine the use of nonstandard abbreviations to tables, graphs, and figures, except in scientific and technical writing. Avoid using nonstandard abbreviations in headings; you want the reader to be able to easily skim the document or just its table of contents. Also avoid using...
In general, explain an abbreviation by providing its full form at first use in a document. Don’t capitalize the words in the full form of an abbreviation unless it is a proper noun. If a term usually appears in its abbreviated rather than complete form, the abbreviation need not be explained: for example, USA, MBA, PhD, PDF, BC/AD, BCE/CE, FAQ, URL...
Abbreviations that are formed using the initial letters of the words of a term (initialisms or acronyms) generally comprise all capital letters. Contractions usually appear in lowercase letters, but those that appear before a name as titles or are part of a proper noun are capitalized (the first letter of the contraction is then a capital letter). ...
In general, abbreviations with at least two capital letters contain no period. Abbreviations that end in lowercase letters often contain periods. However, periods are omitted in scientific and technical abbreviations, abbreviated SI units, and abbreviations containing the preposition per. Contractions and other shortened forms that end in a lowerca...
Use a or an before an abbreviation depending upon how it is pronounced. If it starts with a consonant sound, use a; otherwise, use an. With acronyms (abbreviations pronounced as words), the article theis omitted, even when it would be used with the full form. But with initialisms (in which the individual letters are pronounced), use thewith the abb...
In formal writing, avoid starting a sentence with an abbreviation. Use the full form instead, or rephrase. Because acronyms and contractions are read aloud as words, they are acceptable at the beginning of a sentence. If using the full form makes the sentence awkward, use the abbreviated form—for example, to refer to company names.
To form the plural of an abbreviation, simply add s(an apostrophe is unnecessary). Abbreviations that already end in S can be pluralized either by adding another s or by adding es. To form the plural of a contraction, add sand place a period after.
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Jan 25, 2024 · Abbreviations are a key part of the English language, whether you use them for casual text or formal reports. Let’s explore some different scenarios where English abbreviations can be used, along with some common abbreviation examples.
As a general principle, abbreviations should not use punctuation, including full stops. Is an abbreviation appropriate? Abbreviations can be confusing. It's often better to write the word out in full. In particular, avoid abbreviations of terms that aren't standard British English, such as ' e.g. ' or ' RSVP '.
Jun 17, 2019 · The rules for abbreviations are rather complex and can vary. Abbreviations allow us to shorten complex words and phrases and be more concise in our writing. Read on to learn how to abbreviate with accuracy!
Nov 3, 2022 · Only abbreviate phrases that occur three or more times in your paper. Avoid abbreviations in titles, headings, the abstract, and the reference section. Use the standard abbreviations you find in reputable dictionaries for months, personal titles, countries and states, and some Latin phrases.