Style Guide - Abbreviations
Dates
In formal writing, do not abbreviate months. Write September 30, not Sept. 30.
When writing dates in figures, the order is day/month/year: 30/09/18. (Note: Because of the potential for confusion, it is best to avoid this construction when possible.)
i.e. vs e.g.
e.g. means “for example.” Use abbreviations sparingly, e.g. in informal emails, in lists, etc.
i.e. means “that is to say.” This applies to certain personnel, i.e. teachers and advisors.
Best used in informal writing.
Usage
When a sentence ends with an abbreviation, there is no need to add an extra period. The family arrived from Burlington, Vt. If the sentence is a question or an exclamation, however, the punctuation follows the period. Did the family arrive from Burlington, Vt.? I just told you they arrived from Burlington, Vt.!
In formal writing, do not abbreviate months. Write September 30, not Sept. 30.
When writing dates in figures, the order is day/month/year: 30/09/18. (Note: Because of the potential for confusion, it is best to avoid this construction when possible.)
Degrees
If a degree can be understood without periods, do so. Otherwise include periods for clarity.
BA, MA, PhD, M.Sc., B.Sc., B.Comm., P.Eng., Dip.Ed., etc.
If a degree can be understood without periods, do so. Otherwise include periods for clarity.
BA, MA, PhD, M.Sc., B.Sc., B.Comm., P.Eng., Dip.Ed., etc.
i.e. vs e.g.
e.g. means “for example.” Use abbreviations sparingly, e.g. in informal emails, in lists, etc.
i.e. means “that is to say.” This applies to certain personnel, i.e. teachers and advisors.
Best used in informal writing.
Provinces & territories
Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., N.L., N.W.T., N.S., Nvt., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Sask., Y.T.
Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., N.L., N.W.T., N.S., Nvt., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Sask., Y.T.
Schools and organizations
No periods in acronyms of schools and organizations: BCS, ETSB, ETIAC, MVR, AAESQ, NEASC, CAIS, etc.
No periods in acronyms of schools and organizations: BCS, ETSB, ETIAC, MVR, AAESQ, NEASC, CAIS, etc.
SWC (Stanstead Wesleyan College) is to be used only in historical references to the school.
States
Use the standard abbreviation for U.S. states, not the postal abbreviation. Vt., not VT; N.Y,, not NY.; Maine, not ME; Mass., not MA. See full list here.
States
Use the standard abbreviation for U.S. states, not the postal abbreviation. Vt., not VT; N.Y,, not NY.; Maine, not ME; Mass., not MA. See full list here.
Time
am and pm: 2:00 pm
Include minutes in times: 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm but not 2 pm
Titles
Mr., Mrs. Ms., Dr., etc.
am and pm: 2:00 pm
Include minutes in times: 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm but not 2 pm
Titles
Mr., Mrs. Ms., Dr., etc.
Usage
When a sentence ends with an abbreviation, there is no need to add an extra period. The family arrived from Burlington, Vt. If the sentence is a question or an exclamation, however, the punctuation follows the period. Did the family arrive from Burlington, Vt.? I just told you they arrived from Burlington, Vt.!
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