Abbreviations in English grammar refers to the process of shortening a word or phrase. The purpose of abbreviation is to make our writings efficient and speeches more quick.
Continue to read to discover abbreviation definition, types and example sentences in this detailed and comprehensive guide. Master the chapter of abbreviations in English in order to make your writings effective and speeches more catchy.
Definition and Meaning of Abbreviation
What is an abbreviation in English grammar? An abbreviation in English refers to the act of shortening words or phrases or to the short forms of words or phrases.
Abbreviations are created by means of removing, shortening or contracting words and phrases and are used in everyday writings and conversations.
The following are the most common types of abbreviations in English grammar mastering which will help you understand others' writings and speeches easily.
Types of Abbreviations in English
Based on what part of words or phrases are removed, abbreviations are commonly classed into the following four types:
1. Initialisms: This process of abbreviation refers to using only the first letter of each word or phrase. This is done in case of organizations, country names or concepts.
Examples of Initialisms:
a. WHO = World Health Organization
b. ASAP = As soon as possible
c. USA = United States of America
2. Acronyms: Like initialisms, acronyms refer to the process of shortening words or phrases by using the letters of each word or phrase, ultimately creating a pronounceable word.
Examples of Acronyms:
a. NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization
b. NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration
c. FANBOYS = The coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. (Learn more about coordinating conjunctions)
3. Clippings: Clipping refers to the process of shortening words or phrases by means of removing some parts of words or phrases. Clipping is done to make words and phrases short and easy to use.
Examples of Clippings:
a. Lappy = Laptop
b. Lab = Laboratory
c. Gym = Gymnasium
4. Contractions: Contraction refers to the process of shortening words or phrases by means of removing some parts of them and using an apostrophe.
Examples of Contractions:
a. It's = It is or it has
b. I'd = I had or I would
c. Don't = Do not
Also read: All Contractions in English
Once you're done with the definition and types of abbreviation in English, go through the most common abbreviations in English. Learning these abbreviations by heart is essential, people often tend to use these most common abbreviations in their writings and speeches.
Most Common Abbreviations in English
- AM = Ante
meridian
- PM = Post
meridian
- AD = Anno
Domini
- BC = Before
Christ
- NM = Never
mind
- NP = No
problem
- LOL = Laugh
out loud
- OMG = Oh my
God!
- PLS = Please
- FYI = For your
information
- BTW = By the
way
- JK = Just
kidding
- POV = Point of
view
- CTN = Can’t
talk now
- AFAIK = As far
as I know
- ASAP = As soon
as possible
- RBTL = Read
between the lines
- CYE = Check
your email
- PC = Personal
computer
- GTG = Got to
go
- IRL = In real
life
- IDK = I don’t
know
- TMI = Too much
information
- ATM =
Automated teller machine
- DIY = Do it
yourself
- RIP = Rest in
peace
- FAQ =
Frequently asked questions
- ETC = Et
cetera
- Coz = Because
- LMK = Let me
know
- DAE = Does
anyone else
- SMNP = So not
my problem
- TAY = Thinking
about you
- YGTI = You get
the idea
- IMO = In my
opinion
- PNL = Peace
and love
- OFC = Of
course
- DIKY = Do I
know you
- BAE = Before
anyone else
- GL = Good luck
- GW = Good work
- GJ = Good job
- TY = Thank you
- TXT = Text
- PPL = People
- HTH = Hope
this helps
- W8 = Wait
- L8R = Later
- GRT = Great
- OT = Off topic
- ISO = In
search of
- FBO = Facebook
official
- DM = Direct
message
- TTYL = Talk to
you later
- TBC =To be
continued
- J4F = Just for
fun
- NAGI = Not a
good idea
- MU = Miss you
- HAND = Have a
nice day
- BF = Boyfriend
- GF = Girlfriend
- BRO = Brother
- SIS = Sister
- OMW = On my
way
- WB = Welcome
back
- RN = Right now
- HRU = How are
you
- WYCM = Will
you call me
- B4N = Bye for
now
- PCM = Please
call me
- MYOB = Mind
your own business
- HMB = Hit me
back
- SFW = Safe for
work
- TTYS = Talk to
you soon
- IM = Instant
message
- IC = I see
- IAC = In any
case
- YOLO = You
only live once
- YW = You’re
welcome
- YNT = Why not
- SMH = Shaking my head
Summary: Most Common Abbreviations in English
Abbreviations are commonly used in both writings and speeches; therefore, it becomes important for learners of English to master the most common abbreviations in English. As abbreviations make words and phrases short and easy to use, learn to use them in your writings and speeches.
FAQs - Most Common Abbreviations in English
What is an abbreviation?
An abbreviation is the process of shortening words or phrases or the list of short forms of words or phrases in English.
How to abbreviate words or phrases?
There're four common ways of abbreviating words or phrases. They're given as under:
1. Clipping
2. Acronym
3. Contraction
4. Initialism
Examples of Abbreviations in English
- ATM = Automated teller machine
- DIY = Do it yourself
- RIP = Rest in peace
- FAQ = Frequently asked questions
- ETC = Et cetera
- Coz = Because
- LMK = Let me know
- DAE = Does anyone else
- SMNP = So not my problem
- TAY = Thinking about you
- YGTI = You get the idea
- IMO = In my opinion
- PNL = Peace and love
- OFC = Of course
- DIKY = Do I know you
- BAE = Before anyone else
- GL = Good luck
- GW = Good work
- GJ = Good job
- TY = Thank you
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