1 punctuation
We usually write abbreviations without full stops in modem British English. Full stops (AmE ‘periods’) are normal in American English.
- Mr (AmE Mr.) = Mister (not usually written in full)
- kg (AmE kg.) = kilogram
- Ltd = limited (company )
2 initial-letter abbreviations
Some abbreviations are made from the first letters of several words. This often happens with the names of organizations.
- the BBC = the British Broadcasting Corporation
These abbreviations are most often stressed on the last letter.
- the BBC /Ф9 bi: hi: ‘si:/
- the USA /фa ju: es ‘ei/
If one of these abbreviations has an article (or the) the form and pronunciation of the article depend on the pronunciation of the first letter of the abbreviation. Compare:
- an EU country
- a US diplomat /a ju: …/ (not an US …)
- a BA degree
- an MP /an em …/ (not a MP)
- the USA /Ф9 ju:…/ (not /5i: ju: …/) the RSPCA /фi: a:r …/ (not /Ф8 a:r …/)
3 acronyms
Some initial-letter abbreviations are pronounced like words. These are often called acronyms. Articles are usually dropped in acronyms.
- UNESCO /ju:’nesk0u/ (not the UNESCO) = the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Note that not all initial letter
abbreviations are pronounced as words. the CIA /si: ai ‘ei/ (not/isia/) the IRA /ai a:r ‘ei/
4 plurals
An apostrophe (’) is sometimes used before the “s” in the plurals of abbreviations.
MP’s, CD’s OR (more often) MPs, CDs.
For abbreviations used in text messages (e.g. hope 2 c u for hope to see you), see correspondence 2: emails and text messages.
For more information consult a good dictionary like Langman, Oxford, Merriam Webster, or Collins.
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