Abbreviation Rules

1. Abbreviate titles used with people's names, but do not abbreviate if on its own.

Examples:

She went to Dr. Smith yesterday.
She went to the doctor yesterday.

2. Abbreviate the names of familiar institutions, countries, tests, diseases, diplomas, individuals, and objects.

Examples: TOEFL, USA, FBI, CIA

Note:

If you use a special abbreviation, first use the term in full, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, then the abbreviation.

Example: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required by many schools. GRE prep is therefore a big business.

3. Abbreviate terms used with numbers.

Examples: 101 BC, AD 1212, 5:00 a.m.

Note:

Do not use these abbreviations and other units of measure when no number is attached to them.

Example: Her father gave her a wallet full of $ money.

4. Abbreviate common Latin terms (in notes). In the body of your test, use the English meaning.

Abbreviation	English Meaning
etc. i.e. e.g cf. NB Et. Al.	and so on in other words for example compare note well and others

5. Do not abbreviate words to save time and space in formal writing.

Examples:

thru
Oct.
w/
soc.
no.
nite
Mon.
bros.

through
October
with
sociology
number
night
Monday
brothers

6. Use -s (not -'s) for the plural form of an abbreviation plural.

Example: I have many DVDs.

You are here: >> Home >> English Grammar Lessons >> Abbriviations and Acronyms >> Abbreviation Rules

GrammarBank Video Exercises (New!)

Comments

↑▲▲▲▲▲▲▲↑