Formal writing Types of abbreviations

Formal writing

English texts of general nontechnical character (for example, books, stories, articles, reports, business correspondence) are usually regarded as formal writing. Abbreviations are rarely used in formal nontechnical texts, with the exception of certain standard abbreviations.

Standard abbreviations that are considered appropriate for use in formal written materials include titles used before surnames (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.), academic degrees (for example, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.), certain Latin abbreviations (a.m., p.m., A.D., B.C.), official abbreviated names of companies and organizations (for example, BBC, NATO, UN), and some others.

Miscellaneous other abbreviations are usually written in full in formal writing and are pronounced as full words. For example: two pounds (not "2 lb."); twenty miles (not "20 mi."); one example (not "one ex."); new department (not "new dept."); on Friday (not "on Fri."); on Park Avenue (not "on Park Ave."); in Texas (not "in Tex."; not "in TX").

In academic writing (for example, in reports, compositions, examination papers), learners of English should use those abbreviations that are required and recommended for use in formal writing of general character. (See "Choice of style" in Standard and Slang in the section Idioms.)

The use of abbreviations in formal writing, with examples in sentences, is described in the second part of the material below. (See "Abbreviations in formal writing" below.)