If you’re writing one thing in a proper, enterprise model, it may be tempting to only say no to all abbreviations.
However abbreviations could make it simpler in your viewers to learn your piece somewhat than getting misplaced in a tangle of lengthy firm names or wordy trade phrases.
Nonetheless, there are proper methods and flawed methods to make use of abbreviations on every thing from months to tutorial levels to firm names.
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Let’s take a tour by how AP model, the gold commonplace for communicators, approaches a wide range of totally different abbreviations. This checklist will not be inclusive however ought to assist you cowl among the commonest conditions you would possibly run into.
Bear in mind: It’s OK to develop your individual home model that deviates from AP model. Simply be sure to’re constant — that is the right factor to incorporate in your in-house model information.
A word on acronyms
An acronym is a kind of abbreviation the place somewhat than shortening a single phrase — assume “co.” as a substitute of “firm” — every phrase in a phrase is decreased to a letter or two. Examples of this would possibly embody an organization title — Hewlett Packard on first reference, then HP thereafter — or a time period, like return on funding turning into ROI.
The vital factor to recollect with these shortenings is that it isn’t mandatory to place the acronym after your first use of the phrase in both parentheses or offset with commas. AP says it must be apparent what the acronym stands for on second reference otherwise you shouldn’t use it.
Durations
Generally, two-letter acronyms ought to have intervals, as in U.S., U.Ok. or U.N. Nevertheless, frequent exceptions embody AP (because it’s a trademark) and ID. In most different circumstances, omit intervals until it could spell one other phrase.
Names
Basically, AP model avoids the usage of courtesy titles like “mister” or “missus” earlier than a reputation, until in a direct quote. The one exception is the usage of “Dr.” on the primary reference — however that is reserved for medical docs, not these with different superior tutorial levels. These, AP model says, must be designated with one thing just like: Jane Doe, who holds a doctorate in physics.
If an individual has a suffix after their title, it must be styled as Jr. or Sr.
State names
Generally, state names aren’t abbreviated and must be spelled out in full, both alone or together with a metropolis title. Nevertheless, it is a comparatively current change, so don’t beat your self up in the event you’ve nonetheless been abbreviating.
There are two main exceptions: in datelines (which you in all probability aren’t utilizing) or in tables, which you’ll be. If you’re abbreviating, don’t use postal code abbreviations — use these.
Time
If you wish to point out one thing occurred within the morning or at night time, use a.m. or p.m., lowercase and with intervals.
When referring to a month by itself, write it out in full. Nevertheless, if used together with a date, abbreviate these months, with a interval: Jan., Feb., Aug, Sept., Oct, Nov., Dec. All others must be written out in full.
Until in a desk, don’t abbreviate days of the week.
Addresses
Right here we get to a few of AP’s weirder guidelines the place it’s onerous to find out a rhyme or cause behind what’s abbreviated and what’s not.
Spell out avenue, boulevard and avenue when they’re used with out a avenue quantity: He lives on Pine Avenue. Abbreviate these as ave., blvd. and st. when used with a quantity: He lives at 123 Pine St.
Nevertheless, all different avenue names — alley, drive, street, court docket, lane, terrace, you title it — are at all times spelled out.
This can be a case the place you need to standardize round at all times utilizing abbreviations, it doesn’t matter what the street title is.
Cardinal instructions must be abbreviated when used with a numbered tackle: He lives at 123 N. Pine St.
Allison Carter is govt editor of PR Day by day. Comply with her on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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