Should initials have periods in between

When the term of measurement is used as a modifier, we put a hyphen between the number and the term of measurement: a ft board, a 6-lb line, etc.

Long, common phrases , such as IQ Intelligence Quotient , rpm revolutions per minute , mph miles per hour , and mpg miles per gallon. Such abbreviations are acceptable even in formal academic text and may be used without periods.

Either lower or upper case letters can be used with A. The abbreviation B. The abbreviations B. The effect of this practice is to allow the acronym to blend more smoothly with the rest of the text. It is considered bad form to use these abbreviations without a specific number attached to them: "We'll do this in the a.

Common Latin terms: etc. The abbreviation i. The i. If you can say for example as a substitute for the abbreviation, you want to use e. Do not italicize or underline these abbreviations.

Most sources recommend avoiding the use of Latin abbreviations except within parenthetical notes and some sources say not to use Latin abbreviations at all use the English terms instead except within citations or reference lists.

Good advice. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends using a comma after i. Other resources say not to bother with the comma, but the comma makes good sense.

Except in the business of formally citing material you've used in research, it's a good idea not to use et al. Spell out the word versus unless you're reporting game scores, when you would use vs. Names of states and territories in references and addresses, but not in normal text. Abbreviations accepted by the U. Postal Service including abbreviations for words like Boulevard and Alley are listed online.

Do not use state abbreviations simply to save time or space except in an address on an envelope or list. We use D. The U. Abbreviate "Saint" in U. Louis and St. Petersburg, Florida, and the St.

Lawrence River. For the same word in other countries, you might have to consult a good dictionary one that contains place names : St. It is wise, as always, to consult the actual institution. Colleges, universities, and hospitals named after Saint Mary are about evenly divided between St. In formal academic prose it is considered bad form to abbreviate words simply to save space, time, or energy.

It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Thread starter Englishmypassion Start date Jan 29, Englishmypassion Senior Member Nainital.

But in AE or should I say A. Tendulkar no space before "R" and there would be periods, of course. Isn't the latter what the Chicago Manual of Style recommends? Last edited: Jan 29, For other initials and acronyms, no punctuation is used, e. The basic guideline for abbreviations is to add a full point where something is omitted at the end of a word or title, not where the missing letters fall inside the abbreviation.

The whole point is consistency — within a single publication, within a particular publishing house, etc. There are very few universal rules. Thank you, both. I did know there are several style guides but I'm mainly concerned about two things: 1. The most widely accepted practice in BE with initials of names.

The Chicago Manual recommendation about it for AE. I would really appreciate more responses. Ave nue St. St reet i. Fl orid a Mont. Tue and Wed. Measurements Most measurements and scientific abbreviations do not use periods, but standard United States measurements and time abbreviations have a period at the end.

Abbreviations in All Capitals Abbreviations made up of the first letter of each word in a phrase, usually in all capitals, do not generally use periods, with some exceptions here and there. Some acronym abbreviations have actually become words themselves. Acceptable With or Without Periods U. If capitals, do not use periods. Abbreviations and End Punctuation If you end a sentence with an abbreviation containing a period, do not put another period at the end of the sentence.

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