Periods in Abbreviations or Not?

rogersgeorge on May 20th, 2020

We usually leave out periods in abbreviations, especially the common abbreviations, and ones we pronounce as words (NASA, for example) but the rule is:

Use periods in an abbreviation to remove ambiguity.

Here’s a good example of a cartoonist using that rule to make his point.

Remember, I use comics to illustrate grammar. As always, ignore the politics.

ViewsEurope Comic Strip for March 18, 2020 — https://www.gocomics.com/viewseurope/2020/03/18

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Rogers George has been a technical writer for more than 20 years. He has written on subjects as diverse as outhouse assembly, restaurant reviews, software, information security, and scientific equipment. He has his own writing consultancy and is always happy to discuss writing and grammar. Drop him a line at curmudgeon@writing-rag.com.

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