This ppt is all about abbreviations.

5. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Abbreviations

6. 1. Clipped forms
ad < advertisement
dorm < dormitory
memo < memorandum
perks < perquisites
2. Acronyms
ASAP <as soon as possible
ASEAN < Association of South East Asian Nations
AWOL < absent without leave
R&D < research and development
R&R < rest and recreation

7. 3. Blended forms
bionic < biological + electronic
brunch < breakfast + lunch
high tech < high technology
sci-fi < science fiction
4. Contractions
dep’t < department
ass’n < association
add’l < additional
rec’d < received
5. Abbreviations
dept. < department
assn. < association
Inc. < incorporated
Ltd. < Limited

8. Some words or phrases are mostly written as abbreviations, rarely in full.
Titles:
Personal
Mr. = Mister
Ms. (This originated as an abbreviation
and does not have a full form.)
Mrs. =Mistress, but pronounced [mises]
Mlle. = Mademoiselle
Mme. = Madame (The plural is spelled in full –
Mesdames.)
Messrs. = Messieurs
Professional
Dr. = Doctor
Atty. = Attorney
Engr. = Engineer
Fr. = Father
Prof. = Professor
The more common ones are

9. Personal titles after a person’s name:
Jr. = Junior
Sr. = Senior
Esq. = Esquire
Academic and religious designations appearing after a person’s name:
Prof. Helen E. Lopez, Ph. D.
Brother Andrew Gonzales, F. S. C.
Abbreviated names or parts of names:
Ma. = Maria
Sta. = Santa
Sto. = Santo
v. = von

10. Time adverbs:
A.D. = anno Domini = in the year of our Lord
B.C. = before Christ
a.m., or am = ante meridiem = before noon
p.m., or pm = post meridiem = before noon
(NOTE: Midnight and noon are technically, neither a.m. nor p.m. They are more clearly
expressed as “12:00 midnight” or “12:00 noon”. In fact, the numeral 12:00 is not really necessary since
the terms midnight and noon are quite clear and explicit. However, computer programs, particularly
database and spreadsheets programs, use the expressions “12;00 a.m.,” !2:00a” or “00:00” for midnight,
and “12:00 p.m.,” “12:00p” or “12:00” for noon. Though not generally used in formal texts, these
computer expressions are becoming more widely used.)
B.P. = before the present time
C.E. = Christian era
B.C.E. = before the Christian era

11. Terms used in formal texts:
c. = circa = around approximately (for years)
Chap. = Chapter
e.g. = exempli gratis = for example
et. al = et ali (masc….et aliae 9form), et.alia (neut.) = and other persons
etc. = et cetera = and others [of the same kind]
ibid. = ibidem = in the same work
id. = idem = same author/work
i.e. = id est = that is
loc. cit. = locus citato = place/page cited
no., nos. = number, numbers
op. cit. = opus citato = work cited
p., pp. = page, pages
p.a. = per annum = annually
q.v. = quod vide = which see = see the pertinent section on the subject mentioned
viz. = videlicat = that is to say, namely
v., vols. = volume, volumes
vs. = versus

12. Technology
AM = amplitude modulation
FM = frequency modulation
mic., mike = microphone
UHF = ultra high frequency
VHF = very high frequency
Parts of place names:
Ave. = Avenue
Brgy. = Barangay
Blvd. = Boulevard
D.C. = District of Columbia
St. Street
Sta. = Santa
Sto. = Santo
Compass points:
E = east
N = north
NE = northeast
S = south
SSW = south southwest
W = west

13. Units of measure (the use of periods is not
consistent)
cm. = centimeter
ft. = foot, feet
gal. = gallon
ha. = hectare
in. = inch
k. = kilo
kg. = kilo(gram)
km. = kilometer
kph. = kilometer/s per hour
kV, kv = kilovolt
kW, kw = kilowatt
kWh, KW.hr = kilowatt/hour
l. = liter
lb. = libra = pound
m. = meter
ml. = milliliter
mm. = millimeter
mph= mile/s per hour
Terms of measurements are abbreviated when used
with numerals in figures. If the numeral is spelled
out, the term of measurement is also spelled out.
12 lbs. Twelve pounds

14. For the abbreviations of courses of study, refer to the particular school’s prospectus or similar
publications. Different schools may have different abbreviations for the same course or degree
program.
Economics = Eco., Ecom.
Political Science = Poli. Sci., Pol. Sci.
Bachelor of Arts = B.A, A.B.
Be careful with abbreviations which may have more than one meaning. Remember that institutions tend to
develop their own abbreviations to facilitate internal communication; such abbreviations may confuse those
outside the institution concerned.
AD = assistant director, or assistant dean, or Anno Domini
CD = compact disk [audio], or change directory [computer disk operation], or community
development
GM = general manager, or General Motors
LCD = least common denominator, or liquid crystal display

15. Avoid beginning a sentence with any abbreviation other than titles.
*P. 122 is where you can find the graph.
Page 122 is where you can find the graph.
Dr. Lagmay was cited in that psychology textbook.
If the full name of a person is used (first name or initials, and surname), the personal title is abbreviated.
If the surname is used, the title should be written in full in academic and professional papers, the
abbreviation is still used in memos and letters.
Prof. RN. Henson and Gov. Manuel Edmilao
Professor Henson and Governor Edmilao

16. The designations Honorable and Reverend are abbreviated only in address lists. They are used with
the full name and the title of the person.
Honorable Senator Jose de Leon
Reverend Dr. Cirilo Rigos
Before numerals, the words number and numbers may be abbreviated as no. and nos. respectively, but
written out in full at the beginning of a sentence.
Look for Nos. 164880-164889 among your stubs.
Number 164887 is the winning entry.
For currencies, the use of currency sign or the abbreviation with figure is preferred, unless it begins the
sentence. Spell out the name of currency if used as a word in a sentence.
Even the bracket 9 UP student is subsidized for about P10,000.00 per semester, (or Php 10,000.00)
Ten thousand pesos is the approximate amount of subsidy given to a bracket 9 Up student.
Bring enough pesos with you for the airport tax and for cab fare when you return.

17. As practiced in international newsmagazines, when the name of the currency is indicated by letters, a
space occurs between the currency abbreviation and the first digit of the numeral. When the symbol
for the currency is used, no space occurs.
Ps 120, or RS 120 (for rupees, in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)
P 120, or Php 120 (for the Philippine peso)
US $4.95
NZ $7.90
HK $45
In the ISO-4217 Code, the Philippine peso is represented as PHP, and this all-caps abbreviation is used
in websites on currencies. However, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas uses “Php”, a practice followed in
official communications by many institutions.
Local newspapers use the letter “P” much more than the symbol “P”, and so the expression P120
(without space) is standard. The symbol has been limited to titles or headings, if at all used. (Time Asia
edition uses P in its list of newsstand prices).

18. Currently, it has become common practice not to put a period for abbreviations of
personal and professional titles.
Mr Bautista
Gov Edmilao
Dr Dominguez
Prof Henson
When referring to an institution, such as an organization or a business enterprise, or
to a scientific or technological term, use the full name first immediately followed by
its abbreviation enclosed in parentheses. Subsequently, the abbreviation may be
used.
Artistic groups outside Metro Manila should avail themselves of grants given by
the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA). One such which received an
NCCA grant for its 6th Baguio Summer Arts Festival was the cultural committee of UP
Baguio.
One popular way of planning is to analyze your company’s strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTS).

19. Use an institution’s own abbreviation of its name and those of its programs, or use those abbreviations
which have been popularized by print media. Do not make up your own.
AIESEC = Association Internationale des Estudiants en Science Economique
DOT = Department of Tourism
MERALCO = Manila Electric Company, formerly Manila Electric Railway and Light
Company
NAPOCOR or NPC = National Power Corporation
PCA (formerly Philcoa) = Philippine Coconut Authority
PNB, Philnabank = Philippine National Bank
UGAT = Ugnayang Pang-Agham Tao (Philippine Anthropological Society)

20. In the late 90’s, before text messaging became widespread, the following acronyms became popular in
on-line communications.
BTW = By the way
CMIIW = Correct me if I’m wrong
FWIW = For what it’s worth
GBWM = Get back with me
IKWUM = I know what you mean
ITM = In the meantime
OIC = Oh, I see
TIA = Thanks in advance
WRT = With respect to
YIU = Yes, I understand

21. Scientific names of species are first spelled out in the text. Subsequently, the genus name may be
abbreviated.
Escherichia coli = E. coli
Use abbreviations and symbols in titles and names only if these appear in the official name.
Food and Drug Administration
Smith & Wessen
SM City
UP Concert Chorus
Do not abbreviate dates in running texts.
*This book has to be returned on Mon., Aug. 5.
This book has to be returned on Monday, August 5.

22. In lists, graphs, tables and the like, dates may be abbreviated. Months and days may be clipped down
to their first three letters. Shorter clipped forms adjust for months and days with the same beginning
letter.
January Jan Ja July Jul Jl
February Feb Fe August Aug Ag
March Mar Mr September Sep Se
April Apr Ap October Oct Oc
May May My November Nov No
June Jun Jn December Dec De
Monday Mon M Thursday Thu Th
Tuesday Tue T Friday Fri F
Wednesday Wed W Saturday Sat Sa

23. When attributing passages to the Bible, the books concerned are generally abbreviated, followed by the chapter
and verse numbers, such as Jn 3:16.
The following list is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (new York: Doubleday, 1994, 826):
Old Testament
Genesis -Gen Ecclesiates -Ecc1
Exodus -Ex Song of Solomon -Song
Leviticus -Lev canticles -Cant
Numbers -Num Wisdom -Wis
Deuteronomy -Deut Sirach -Sir
Joshua -Josh Isaiah -Isa
Judges -Judg Jeremiah -Jer
Ruth -Ruth Lamentations -Lam
1 Samuel -1 Sam Baruch -Bar
2 Samuel -2 Sam Ezekiel -Ezek
1 Kings -1 Kings Daniel -Dan
2 Kings -2 Kings Hosea -Hos
1 Chronicles -1Chr Joel - Joel
2 Chronicles -2Chr Amos -Am
Ezra -Ezra Obadiah -Ob
Nehemiah -Neh Jonab -Jon
Tobit -Tob Micah - Mic
Judith -Jdt Nahum -Nah
Esther -Esth Habakkuk -Hab
1 Maccabees -1 Macc Zephaniah -Zeph
2 Maccabees -2 Macc Haggai -Hag
Job -Job Zechariah -Zech
Psalms -Ps Malachi -Mal
Proverbs -Prov
New Testament
Matthew -Mt 1 Timothy -1 Tim
Mark -Mk 2 Timothy -2 Tim
Luke -Lk Titus -Titus
John -Jn Philemon -Phil
Acts of the Apostles -Acts Hebrews -Heb
Romans -Rom James -Jas
1 Corinthians -1 Cor 1 Peter -1 Pet
2 corinthians -2 Cor 2 Peter -2 Pet
Galatians -Gal 1 John -1 Jn
Ephesians -Eph 2 John -2 Jn
Philippians -Phil 3 John -3 Jn
Colossians -Col Jude -Jude
1 Thessalonians -1 Thess Revelation -Rev
2 Thessalonians -2 Thess Apocalypse -Apoc

24. In using numbers to indicate dates, note that the British and European styles differ from the American style. The
former has the first number referring to the day, while the latter, more familiar to us, has the first number referring
to the month.
British: 6/10/99 = 6 October 1999
European: 6/10/99 = 6 October 1999
American: 6/10/99 = June 10, 1999
In indicating time, use the style preferred by the institution you are writing for. Note that in Europe, the hours
and minutes are separated by commas, instead of colons.
Continental Europe 16,00
English:
Military 16:00
Business 4:00 p.m., 4:00 pm, 4:00p
Informal/abbreviated 4p

25. Versus is abbreviated as v. in legal texts, and vs. in others.
People v. Sanchez
the pro-presidential vs. the pro-parliamentary
The abbreviations of d’ as in d’ original show is usually actually erroneous, since d’ means of, not the. This use of d’
is a Filipinism.
Possessives of abbreviations are written by adding –’s.
the PM’s stand on war
Salutations of letters do not use abbreviations except Mr., Ms., Mrs., Messrs., and Dr. however, address blocks on
envelopes and letters use abbreviations liberally, such as Atty., Engr., Rev., and Hon.

26. Refer to the dictionary, the telephone directory, or zip code guide for the abbreviations of
names of cities, states, and counties. Remember that the three-letter abbreviations used by
the airline industry for cities or towns with airports do not always coincide with
abbreviations popularized by the mass media.
place: Manila Los angeles Kota Kinabalu
Airport Code: MNL LAX BKI
City Abbreviation: Mla. LA KK

27. Below is a partial list of codes for international airports (listed alphabetically by city):
Abu Dhabi AUH
Amsterdam AMS
Athens ATH
Bahrain BAH
Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) BWN
Bangkok BKK
Bombay BOM
Boston BOS
Dharan DHA
Dubai DXB
Frankfurt FRA
Fukuoka FUK
Geneva GVA
Guam GUM
Ho Chi Minh HCM
Hong Kong HKG
Brisbane BNE
Brussels BRU
Cairo CAI
Canton CAN
Charles de Gaulle (Paris) CDG
Dallas IAD
Dallas Ft. Worth DFW
Detroit DTT
Honolulu HNL
Jakarta JKT
Jeddah JED
John F. Kennedy (New York) JFK
Karachi KHI
Koror (Palau) ROR
Kota Kinabalu BKI
Kuala Lumpur KUL

28. Kuwait KWI
London, Gatwik LGW
London, Heathrow LHR
Los Angeles LAX
Manila MNL
Melbourne MEL
Miami MIA
Minneapolis MNP
Paris PAR
Peking PEK
Philadelphia PHL
Port Moresby POM
Riyadh RUH
Saipan SPN
San Diego SAN
San Francisco SFO
Muscat MCT
Nagoya NGO
Narita NRT
Nauru INU
New Delhi DEI
Ohare (Chicago) ORD
Okinawa OKA
Osaka OSA
Schiphol (Amsterdam) SPL
Seattle SEA
Singapore SIN
Sydney SYD
Taipei TPE
Truk Island TKK
Washington DC DCA
Xiamen XMN
Zurich ZRH

29. In like manner, the common abbreviation of an airline company may differ from its international code. For
instance, we usually refer to Philippine Air Lines as PAL, but its code PR.
Below is a partial list of the codes for international airlines (listed alphabetically by name of airline):
Air France AF
Air Nauru ON
Air Niugini PX
Alitalia Airlines AZ
British Airways BA
Cathay Pacific Airways CX
China Airlines CI
Egypt Air MS
Kuwait Airways KU
Lufthansa LH
Malaysian Airlines MH
Northwest Airlines NW
Pakistan International Airways PK
Philippine Airlines PR
Qantas Airlines QF
Royal Brunei BI
Garuda Indonesian Airlines GA
Gulf Air GF
Japan Airlines JL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL
Korean Airlines KE
Saudi Arabian Airlines SV
Singapore Airlines SQ
Swiss Air SR
Thai Airways International TG
United Airlines UA

30. Some abbreviations regarding health care:
AIDS = Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
CAT scan = CT scan = computerized axial tomography
HDL = high density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol)
HIV = human immunodeficiency virus
ICU = Intensive Care Unit
LDL = Low density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol)
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging
SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome

31. Some abbreviations of the digital age:
ASCII = American standard Code for Information Interchange
blog = web log
bps = bits per second
CATV = community antenna television
CD-ROM = compact disk read-only memory
CD-RW = compact disk, read and write
CD-W = compact disk, write only
com = company (used in internet addresses)
CISSP = Certified Information Systems security Professional
COM = computer output on microfilm
CPU= central processing unit (of a computer system)
CRT = cathode-ray tube (type of computer monitor similar to a TV screen)
DOS = disk operating system
DRAM = dynamic random-access memory
DVD = digital video disk
edu = educational institution (used in Internet addresses)
FAQ = frequently ask question
GB = gigabyte (1,024 megabytes, or 1,703,073,824 bytes)
HD = hard disk

32. HDTV = high-definition television
HTML = hyper text markup language
KB = kilobyte (1,024 bytes)
LCD= liquid-crystal display
LED = light-emitting diode
MB = megabyte (1,024 kilobytes, or 1,048,576 bytes)
modem = modulator-demodulator
MP3 = media player audio layer 3
NASDAQ = National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, linking
over-the-counter dealers electronically to form a single market
net = telecommunications or computer network
org= organization, essentially noncommercial (used in Internet addresses)
PC = personal computer
PIN = personal identification number
RAM = random-access memory
SIM = subscriber identity module
SMS = short message service (more popularly known as text messaging)
VCD = video compact disk
VCR= video cassette recorder
VGA = video graphics array

34. Quiz
Write the correct abbreviations of the following:
1. American standard Code for Information Interchange
2. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
3. high-definition television
4. kilometer/s per hour
5. Madame
6. Hectare
7. Correct me if I’m wrong
8. I know what you mean
9. magnetic resonance imaging
10. subscriber identity module