An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. It can be formed by omitting letters, using initials, or combining parts of words. Abbreviations can fall into various categories, including acronyms, initialisms, contractions, and shortened words.
1. Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a broad term that refers to any shortened form of a word or phrase. This can include acronyms, initialisms, and shortened words.
2. Initial
A type of abbreviation formed from the initial letters of words in a phrase, but each letter is pronounced individually.
Pronunciation: As separate letters, not as a single word. Usually spelled out or used individually. The stress is places on the last letter.
Examples:
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
JFK (John F. Kennedy)
UN (United Nations)
Exercise 1:
1. BBC | a. Also known as |
2. ID | b. Military Intelligence 6 |
3. AI | c. Automated teller machine |
4. WHO | d. British Broadcasting Corporation |
5. DNA | e. Identity (an ID card or passport) |
6. ASAP | f. Central Intelligence Agency |
7. ATM | g. Artificial intelligence |
8. AKA | h. World Health Organisation |
9. MI6 | i. Deoxyribonucleic acid |
10. CIA | j. As soon as possible |
3. Acronym
A type of abbreviation formed from the initial letters of words in a phrase which is pronounced as a new single word, not as separate letters.
Examples:
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
RADAR: Radio Detection and Ranging
AWOL: absent without leave
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
As you can see, some acronyms are used as normal words and are not used with capital letters: laser, radar, scuba, sonar
4. Shortened words (clipped)
Shortened words involve cutting down a longer word into a simpler form.
Examples:
Info: Information
Gym: Gymnasium
Phone: Telephone
Flu: influenza
Ad: advertisement
Lab: laboratory
Exercise 2:
Write the complete forms of these words:
Maths
Phone
Prof
Vet
Bra
Exam
Bike
demo
sci-fi
5. Latin abbreviations
Common in formal writing, Latin abbreviations are used for specific purposes.
Examples:
e.g. (exempli gratia): For example
You can try different sports, e.g., soccer, basketball, or tennis.
i.e. (id est): That is
The meeting is mandatory, i.e., everyone must attend.
etc. (et cetera): And so on
She bought apples, oranges, bananas, etc.
et al. (et alii/aliae/aliora): and others
- Common in academic citations to indicate multiple authors
Smith et al. (2021) discuss this concept.
P.S. (post scriptum): written after
P.S.: Don’t forget to bring the book.
viz. (videlicet): namely / that si to say
Three countries were represented, viz., France, Germany, and Italy.
Ibid. (ibidem): in the same place
- It refers to the same source as the previous citation
Ibid., p. 45.
ad hoc: for this purpose
An ad hoc committee was formed to address the issue.
ca. (circa): around / approximately
The structure was built ca. 1500.
vs. (versus): against
The case of Roe vs. Wade."
per se: (by itself)
The idea, per se, is not flawed.
a.m. / p.m. (ante meridiem / post meridiem): before noon / after noon
The meeting is at 9:00 a.m.
R.I.P. (requiescat in pace): rest in peace
Why Learn Abbreviations?
Abbreviations improve fluency in both written and spoken English. They are commonly used in:
Texting and Online Communication: LOL, BRB, ASAP
Professional Settings: EOD, FYI
Everyday Life: Dr., Mr., No.
Practice English abbreviations more
Exercise 3: Identify the Full Form
Match the abbreviations with their full forms:
ASAP
DIY
WHO
ETA
a) World Health Organization
b) Do It Yourself
c) As Soon As Possible
d) Estimated Time of Arrival
Exercise 4: Create Abbreviations
Shorten the following phrases into abbreviations:
Laughing Out Loud
Frequently Asked Questions
At The Moment
International Business Machines
Exercise 5: What do these messages mean?
BRB, G2G study 4 the test. TTYL!
FYI, the HW is due @ 3 PM tmrw. Don’t 4get! BTW, we’re meeting @ 5 RN. LMK if U can make it.
TBH, I need a nap ASAP. This week’s been a lot.
Here’s a list of modern abbreviations commonly used in chatting, texting, and online communication:
General Chat Abbreviations
LOL: Laugh Out Loud
OMG: Oh My God
BRB: Be Right Back
TTYL: Talk To You Later
BTW: By The Way
FYI: For Your Information
ASAP: As Soon As Possible
IDC: I Don’t Care
IDK: I Don’t Know
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
Expressing Emotions
ROFL: Rolling On the Floor Laughing
LMAO: Laughing My A* Off*
SMH: Shaking My Head
TBH: To Be Honest
TMI: Too Much Information
FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out
YOLO: You Only Live Once
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
AFK: Away From Keyboard
GG: Good Game (used in gaming or jokingly after a discussion ends)
Relationships & Social Interactions
BFF: Best Friends Forever
DM: Direct Message
BAE: Before Anyone Else (used to refer to a significant other)
ILY: I Love You
S/O: Shout Out or Significant Other
WYD: What You Doing?
HMU: Hit Me Up
OOTD: Outfit Of The Day
NSFW: Not Safe For Work
IRL: In Real Life
Time-Saving Abbreviations
OMW: On My Way
TTYT: Talk To You Tomorrow
ATM: At The Moment
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
GR8: Great
JK: Just Kidding
RN: Right Now
PLZ/PLS: Please
THX/TY: Thanks / Thank You
NP: No Problem
Abbreviations for Online Trends
FTW: For The Win
TBF: To Be Fair
NGL: Not Gonna Lie
ICYDK: In Case You Didn’t Know
IKR: I Know, Right?
BRUH: Bro or Friend (used for emphasis or disbelief)
NOOB/NEWB: Newbie (used in gaming or tech spaces)
SMTH: Something
WTH: What The Heck
FML: F** My Life*
Gaming-Specific Abbreviations
AFK: Away From Keyboard
GGWP: Good Game, Well Played
PVP: Player vs. Player
NPC: Non-Player Character
OP: Overpowered
XP: Experience Points
LFG: Looking For Group
IRL: In Real Life (also widely used outside gaming)
EZ: Easy
GLHF: Good Luck, Have Fun
Business
1. B2B: business to business
2. B2C: business to consumer
3. CEO: chief executive officer
4. CFO: chief financial officer
5. HR: human resources
6. KPI: key performance indicator
7. NDA: non-disclosure agreement
8. PR: public relations
9. ROI: return on investment
10. SEO: search engine optimization
Technology
1. HTML: hypertext markup language
2. HTTP: hypertext transfer protocol
3. HTTPS: hypertext transfer protocol secure
4. IoT: Internet of things
5. IP: internet protocol
6. URL: uniform resource locator
7. VPN: virtual private network
8. Wi-Fi: wireless network
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