Spelling notes
Abbreviations may have variants of spelling. Usually, main differences concern using capital or small letters and using periods. (Note: AmE period; BrE full stop.)
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There are differences between British and American spelling of some abbreviations, especially in the use of periods. For example, "U.S." and "U.K." are usually found in American texts, and "US" and "UK" – in British texts. "Dr." and "Mr." are preferred in AmE (before surnames), while "Dr" and "Mr" are preferred in BrE.
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Generally, periods are more often used in abbreviations written in small letters. Abbreviations written in capital letters (e.g., acronyms) tend to be written without periods, though traditionally many of them are still written with periods.
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For example: a.m., e.g., i.e.; B.C. or BC, NB, N.B. or n.b. (nota bene = note well; take notice); PS or P.S. (postscript); NYC or N.Y.C. (New York City).
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If an abbreviation with a period is at the end of a sentence, another period is not added. For example: They visited Washington, D.C. They arrived at 10 p.m.
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Generally, there is no space between the letters of abbreviations (including acronyms) regardless of whether there are periods between the letters. Exceptions to this rule include square and cubic units of measure. For example: 1 sq. ft.; 2 sq. in.; 4 sq m; 3 cu. ft.; 1 cu. in.
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There are some unusual plural forms. Compare these singular and plural forms: p., pg. (said as "page") – pp. (said as "pages"); MS., ms. (manuscript) – MSS., mss. (manuscripts).
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