Abbreviations in English

Abbreviation (abbreviation, abbreviated words) — is abbreviated spelling of a word or group of words. Any language is saturated with acronyms, and we are so used to them that use them everywhere. And if some of them are known to us even from a young age, then, we meet with some lifelong. Abbreviations know is necessary because some of them are not only simple but also quite important cuts that will be useful in work, travel, business communication and correspondence, as well as in many other areas of our lives. Abbreviations are in any language, in fact, every language abbreviation borrows from other languages. Sometimes we automatically uses one or another abbreviation and not remember how she stands. Let’s try to examine the most important and common.

How to read the abbreviation in English?

1. Some abbreviations in English are pronounced separately by letter:
   • WHO (World Health Organisation) — pronounce the W — H — O — World Health Organization
   • BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) — The British Broadcasting Corporation
   • UK (United Kingdom) — United Kingdom — United Kingdom
   • USA (Unites States of America) — United States of America
   • PM (Prime Minister) — Prime Minister
   • MP (Member of Parliament) — Member of Parliament
   • EU (European Union) — The European Union
   • PC (Personal computer) — PC
2. Other abbreviations are read as words are called acronyms:
   • NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) — Alliance
   • AIDS (Acuired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) — AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
   • HIV (Human immunodeficient virus) — HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
3. In English, there are abbreviations that are used only in writing, but in a speech pronounced as complete words:
   • Mr (Mister) — Mr.
   • Mrs (Mistress) — Mrs.
   • Dr (Doctor) — Doctor
   • St (Saint / Street) — saint or street
4. The following abbreviations are used in the English language in the organizational structure of the language:
   • etc. — And so on — (Latin et cetera) — and so on
   • i. e. — That is to say — (Latin id est) — that is,
   • NB — please note — (Latin nota bene) — Note well as interesting
   • RSVP — please reply — (French repondez s’il vous plait) — to respond to the invitation
   • e. g. — For example — (Latin exempli gratia) — eg

   All of these acronyms, but the first read letter by letter.

5. Some of the words used in abbreviated form if the informal style of speech:
   • Lab (laboratory) — Laboratory
   • TV (television) — TV
   • Exam (examination) — Exam
   • Ad (advertisement) — Ads
   • Case (suitcase) — Portfolio
   • Mum (mother) — mother
   • Phone (telephone) — Phone
   • Board (blackboard) — Board
   • Fridge (refrigerator) — Refrigerator
   • Bike (bicycle) — Bike
   • Dad (father) — father
   • Flu (influenza) — Influenza

These are the basic rules that govern abbreviations in English. Finally, we add a few more:

• Blvd. (Boulevard) — Blvd.
• Emb. (Embankment) — Embankment
• Ave. (Avenue) — Prospect
• Sq. (Square) — Square
• B. Sc. (Bachelor of Science) — B.Sc.
• M. A. (Master of Arts) — Master of Arts
• Ph. D. (Doctor of Philosophy) — PhD
• M. D. (Doctor of Medicine) — MD

When you meet an abbreviation in English, be sure to find her and ask the full version of the translation, because you do not know in advance when it will meet you again! Moreover, the knowledge of important abbreviations increase your level of English!

 

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