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ABBREVIA TIONS

Shortenings
A shortening is a representation of advertisement ad influenza flu
a single word, typically in lowercase
letters. Usually, the beginning or the The first two letters The three middle letters
produce this informal word. make this informal word.
end of a word is dropped; in rare
cases, both the beginning and end
of a word are omitted. The use of
a period depends on whether the lat. weblog blog
abbreviation is formal or informal. latitude
Occasionally, shortening results
in spelling changes, as when bicycle The first three letters create The last four letters
is changed to bike. this formal abbreviation, create this informal word.
which requires a period.

Contracted abbreviations Doctor Junior Jr.
A contracted abbreviation occurs when Dr.
letters from the middle of a word are
removed. These words are usually Take out the middle Remove the middle
four letters to form
four letters to get
related to a position or qualification.
this abbreviation. this abbreviation.
This type of abbreviation usually
begins with a capital letter. A period
is normally used at the end of Limited Ltd. Sergeant Sgt.
a contracted abbreviation.
Remove the letters Remove the letters
imi and e to make er and ean to create
this abbreviation. this abbreviation.

Initialisms
An initialism is created from the first United States of America USA
letter of each word. Each letter is
pronounced separately and written
in capital letters. Initialisms generally BBC
don’t require periods between British Broadcasting Corporation
the letters.

DVD
Digital Video Disc

Acronyms
An acronym is a word formed from the Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome AIDS
initial letters of a group of words. It is
different from an initialism because
it is pronounced as it is spelled, not as NATO
separate letters. Acronyms are written North Atlantic Treaty Organization
in capital letters and without periods.

Personal Identification Number PIN