Abbreviations

What is an abbreviation?

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Abbreviations save time and space, which is why you see them on signs, in addresses, in recipes, in science and in text messages.

• Doctor → Dr.
• kilometre → km
• Avenue → Ave.
• for example → e.g.

Kinds of abbreviations

Shortened words

Some abbreviations keep the first part of a word, often with a period:
Mon. (Monday), Jan. (January), approx. (approximately), dept. (department)

Contracted forms

Some keep the first and last letters:
Mr. (Mister), Dr. (Doctor), St. (Street or Saint), Rd. (Road)

In British and Canadian usage these are often written without a period (Mr, Dr). In American usage the period is usual. Choose one style and use it consistently.

Initialisms

An initialism uses the first letters of several words, and you say each letter:
TV (television), RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), CBC, FAQ, DIY, ASAP

Acronyms

An acronym also uses first letters, but you say it as a word:
NASA, UNICEF, scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), laser, radar

Some acronyms became so common that people forget they were ever abbreviations.

Common everyday abbreviations

e.g. or i.e.?

• e.g. gives examples: Bring a fruit, e.g. an apple or a banana.
• i.e. explains exactly: Bring the main ingredient, i.e. flour.

Memory trick: e.g. = "example given"; i.e. = "in essence".

Measurement abbreviations

Metric units are written without periods and are the same in singular and plural: 5 km, 2 kg, 30 cm, 500 mL, 10 L. A space goes between the number and the unit.

Some measurements use a symbol instead: % (percent), °C (degrees Celsius), $ (dollars).

Postal abbreviations

Canada Post uses two-letter postal abbreviations with no periods:
ON (Ontario), QC (Quebec), BC (British Columbia), AB (Alberta), NS (Nova Scotia), NL (Newfoundland and Labrador), MB, SK, NB, PE, YT, NT, NU

Rules for using abbreviations

1. Spell it out the first time in formal writing, then use the short form: the World Health Organization (WHO)… The WHO said…
2. Avoid most abbreviations in essays except common ones like Dr., a.m. and etc.
3. Don’t double the period: if a sentence ends in etc., use only one period.
4. Use a or an by sound: an RCMP officer (sounds like "ar"), a NASA mission.
5. Text-speak (lol, brb, idk) belongs in casual messages, not school work.

Worked examples

Example 1: Abbreviate Saturday. → Sat.

Example 2: Acronym or initialism? CBC → Initialism (you say C-B-C).

Example 3: e.g. or i.e.? I love winter sports, ___ skating and skiing. → e.g.

Common mistakes

• etc. after a list that starts with such as: such as apples, pears, etc. → drop etc.
• 5 kms ✗ → 5 km ✓
• Using an unfamiliar acronym without explaining it.

Try it yourself

1. Write the abbreviation: Doctor, Street, centimetre, Ontario.
2. What do a.m. and RSVP mean?
3. Acronym or initialism: UNICEF, DVD?
4. Choose e.g. or i.e.: She speaks two languages, ___ English and Cree.

Answers: 1. Dr., St., cm, ON. 2. Before noon; please reply. 3. UNICEF: acronym; DVD: initialism. 4. i.e. (these are exactly her two languages).

Tip for families

Turn a car ride or walk into an abbreviation hunt. Look for street signs (St., Ave., Blvd.), licence plates, store names and road signs (km/h). Guess what each stands for, then check at home.

Quick recap

• Abbreviations are short forms of words or phrases.
• Initialisms are said letter by letter; acronyms are said as words.
• Metric units have no periods and no plural -s.
• Spell out unfamiliar abbreviations the first time in formal writing.