Questions tagged [abbreviations]
For questions about the shortened forms of words or phrases.
106
questions
-1
votes
0answers
7 views
What form of indefinite article (“a” or “an”) should precede an abbreviation whose first letter is a consonant but is pronounced with a vowel sound? [duplicate]
I frequently want to use an indefinite article before an abbreviated noun beginning with a consonant which is provinces with a vowel sound. Is there a standard or preserve for “a” or “an” in this case?...
1
vote
2answers
41 views
Is it correct to use “cetera” by itself, replacing “et” with “and”?
I've always preferred variations of "etc" and "et cetera":
"and cetera"
"&c"
"Cetera" is Latin and though we may borrow the Latin phrase in English, it might not be correct in formal settings to ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Which one is correct? Docs or Doc?
An abbreviated word for 'documentary' would be doc. However, it could be also reffered as doctor as well. Should I use 'docs' instead? Is there any chances people might misunderstand or confuse it ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Where should one use tl;dr?
As I understand, tl;dr stands for too long didn't read. However I came across this post, in which the op said tl;dr at the beginning. What does that mean? Exactly what did the op not read?
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Should “a” vs “an” be chosen based on an expanded abbreviation? [duplicate]
The indefinite article "an" is used when the following word starts with a vowel sound. For example one write "an adjective" but "a noun".
However, when an abbreviation is used, should this be based ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Why is between abbreviated as b/w?
I saw such usages many times(including one in this blog post I saw just now) especially when we are writing on the blackboard, but I don't know why between is simplified as b/w. It seems very strange ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
Write '-(e)s' in italic or not?
When using certain abbreviations in italic, should '-(e)s' representing plural form written in italic?
For example,
We call a mobile node that senses the surrounding information MN.
Blah, ...
0
votes
2answers
25 views
What does the letter X (=times) stand for?
In many places we meet the letter X as a sign for times. Whether it's in primary school (5x5=25) or when we use lenses of camera or microscope we see the letter X in meaning of times (10X, 1000X etc.)....
0
votes
2answers
47 views
Is there a rule of thumb for simplifications like “it looks like rain today”
I am wondering if there's any rule to know when or where we can simplify sentences like
It looks like rain again today
Which I think it's the short version of
It looks like that it's gonna rain ...
0
votes
1answer
187 views
What does the acronym “btf” mean? [closed]
What does the acronym "btf" mean in the following sentence:
This project was a labour of love that took developers btf five years to
accomplish.
1
vote
2answers
47 views
Are abbreviations “proper” words? [closed]
As a consequence of a different discussion, I realized this:
Are abbreviations "proper" words?
(I use the broad meaning for abbreviation, not the strictest meaning)
E.g.:
C.I.A.
abbr.
Prof.
Dr.
.....
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Is it okay to use IS like this in informal writing?
Ronnie's a bad influence on her. Keep him away.
Can we use an apostrophe and "S" to say is at the end of a name to say somebody is when writing informally?
0
votes
3answers
90 views
Irregularity allowance?
In The Netherlands it is possible that you get paid extra (above your hourly wage) if you have 'irregular' working hours, e.g. you work at uncommon times, like Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
use of the word they're
Proper use of the word they're in a sentence. Example
They're camping out
or
They are camping out
or
Their camping out
Which usage is correct? Is using the word "they're" ...
0
votes
1answer
361 views
What do “ed:XXX” meaning in translated manga?
For example(8 page):
http://mangahasu.se/onii-chan-wa-oshimai/vol-6-chapter-17-mahiro-and-the-onsen-
panic-first-part-c590411.html#8
I can't find a tool to query such abbreviations word.
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Bae stands for?
If bae stands for 'before anyone else', when somebody mention salt bae (Nusret Gokce-the meat guy), does it mean he is the one doing that salting move before anyone else?
0
votes
1answer
777 views
Is it acceptable to use “etc.” in IELTS Writing Exam?
Someone told me that "etc." is not formal. However, based on my research in internet, some people said that it is acceptable to use "etc." in academic paper.
How about IELTS writing exam then? Is "...
-2
votes
1answer
54 views
Should I start abbreviations with capital letters in titles?
The title of a section in my paper is
Bipolar Disorder Def.
Should it be "Def." or "def."?
1
vote
1answer
157 views
Abbreviation for supervisor
The simple version of my question would be: "What is the abbreviation of 'Supervisor'"?
However, I will add some explaining. I am abbreviating the word "operator" as "Op" already (size constraints) ...
0
votes
1answer
313 views
can the abbreviation for “Schedule” be used for “scheduled”?
I read in writing explained.org that "schedule" can be abbreviated as Sched or Skd.
Can these abbreviations be used for "Scheduled"? (as in a task scheduled for 5.30pm)
Any suggestions for ...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
BSc, MSc, PhD vs. B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D
ODO prefers Ph.D. over PhD in US English. But at the same time, there is no B.Sc. and no M.Sc. entry in OED, which leads me into thinking that there is a mismatch: Ph.D. is typically written with ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
What is RA abbreviation for?
In a joke image (second image from top), there's mentioning of preparing for RA inspection.
Googling leads to medical material on rheumatism and disambiguitization produces way too many different ...
0
votes
2answers
95 views
Can “A.K.A” be used also in speech or in writing only?
Can "A.K.A" abbreviation be used also in the speech language or in the writing only?
If it can be used in speech, then are there another abbreviations (not of companies of course, or science) that ...
44
votes
10answers
47k views
What does “call BS” mean in the sentence “We call BS”?
What does BS mean in the sentence "We call BS"?
I saw an article about protests in the US that said the following (see here the video):
Florida student Emma Gonzalez to lawmakers and gun advocates:...
2
votes
1answer
10k views
What's wrong with saying “I am watching TV” instead of “I am watching television”?
I was told that I could only say or write "TV" when it is accompanied with a word like "show" or "program", but if I refer just to TV, I should say or write "television".
For example:
I am ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
How to shorten “communications”
I have to put the word "communications" in a graphic. For design reasons I have to make the word shorter. How can eliminate some letters and make it still understandable, is there any correct way to ...
32
votes
4answers
7k views
Should I use “a” or “an” when I abbreviate a word?
Taking notes, I was going to write this:
therefore p′ is a shortest path.
But the topic is APSP which stands for "all pairs shortest paths" so I decided to just write SP instead and...
Is it ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
What does the keyword 'w/' mean?
I read about VM in MIT OCW 6.828 (the lecture at https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-828-operating-system-engineering-fall-2012/lecture-notes-and-readings/...
2
votes
1answer
766 views
How should I write the abbreviation for “okay”? (ok, Ok, OK) [duplicate]
How should I write abbreviation for "okay"?
The options are: ok, Ok, OK.
I've never took any notice of it, but recently someone (that he's not a native English speaker) told me that I should write ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
What does VP mean in job titles? [closed]
What does "VP" mean in job titles?
It goes with different titles "VP of Acquiring", "VP of Strategic Alliances", "VP of Sales", "VP of Sales and Marketing" or "VP of Events".
1
vote
1answer
3k views
“H.E. Donald J. Trump” in Apec 2017 - H.E stands for?
I have scratched my head and think but don't know what "H.E" stands for in this situation, I guess Host Environment?
0
votes
2answers
184 views
Does eng stand for engineering?
Is it correct to use eng as a shorthand for engineering? For example, can we use this form of introduction for a master's student?
MSc student in hardware eng
If so, should we put a . after eng? I ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
“in US English” vs “in the US English”
I saw a usage of "in US English" in a dictionary, which I think it should be "in the US English" instead. The reason is that the full version should be "the United States" and not "United States". I'm ...
0
votes
2answers
512 views
Abbreviation of “In contrast”
What word can I use as an abbreviation of the phrase "in contrast" or "on the contrary" or "directly opposite"?
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Use of metric prefixes for small numbers
These days many I see many websites shortening large numbers with the metric prefixes, for example Twitter does it like this:
replacing 35 400 with 35.4K, and 34 700 000 with 34.7M. One might also ...
2
votes
1answer
4k views
Best acronym/abbreviation for the word “template”
What would be the proper way to shorten the word "template" down to maximum of 3 symbols for use in busy diagrams and schemes in (bio)chemical context?
From here and there I only found TPL and TML ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
If John does ten pushups, does that mean he does nine reps?
When talking about pushups, we know the word rep comes from repetition.
But is rep really the same as repetition in this context?
If John does ten pushups, he does nine repetitions, plus the first ...
3
votes
1answer
375 views
What's meaning of “I KNOW FFS THANKS SOO MUCH , exucse my language”?
There is a question on Server Fault: Job for httpd.service failed. Here is the answer and a comment.
Answer:
The key error message appears to be:
SSLCertificateFile: file '/etc/httpd/ssl/...
0
votes
1answer
120 views
“A MMU” or “An MMU”? [duplicate]
If I use an abbreviation like MMU ("memory management unit" in computers), should I write "A MMU" or "An MMU"? Is it the pronunciation or the letter that decides?
1
vote
1answer
107 views
Can 'PS' be used as a verb in English?
In my native language 'PS' borrrows the meaning of the process when you edit a photo with the help of Photoshop. It could be used as a verb, For example, 'Could you help me to Ps this photo to make ...
1
vote
2answers
153 views
What is the expanded form of “Tom's visit to the United States”
We know, 's is the abbreviation for is or has
But i just read a sentence
Tom's visit to the United States provided him with an opportunity to learn English
So we generally use 's for is or his So ...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
Meaning of “h/t to reader “Mr. D””
see title; mostly: what does h/t mean?
(Google is awful at finding text with slashes and recommended to replace it for "hot", and ignores the slash when explicitly told to search for h/t)
Note that ...
0
votes
2answers
689 views
What does MA ACA stand for?
This abbreviation MA ACA often appears after names on letters. What does it stand for?
I have seen it next to the signature on formal letters in this format: [First Name] [Surname] MA ACA.
The last ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
C as “c” in all abbreviations or acronyms
Does letter "c" read as [c] in all abbreviations or acronyms?
BBC - company [k]
PC - computer [k]
RC - compiler [k]
Are there any abbreviations or acronyms where the letter C doesn't read as [c]?
1
vote
1answer
95 views
Is there a specific name for “pick-only-consonants” type abbreviations?
I find it very common for English speakers to shorten a single word to 3–4 letters long by picking its first letter and some (or all) of its subsequent consonants, like so:
statement => stmt
...
1
vote
1answer
547 views
What is the abbreviation of A/D office in sec sic info?
What is the abbreviation of A/D office in sec cid ifo?
There are so many A/Ds in http://www.abbreviations.com/AD.
so many A/Ds here
Maybe it is assistant director office?
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Is “config” abbreviation of “configuration”?
I'm learning English. I make a system with configuration module.
Is appropriate config instead of configuration?
0
votes
3answers
308 views
How to pronounce 'GB' (the island)?
When talking about United Kingdom or United States people often pronounce the letters of the abbreviation like "you kay" (UK).
However, I have never noticed anyone spelling out 'GB'. Is it somehow ...
20
votes
6answers
9k views
How to pronounce 'GB'?
If I want to buy a phone with 64 GB, how should I say it?
Should I say
"A phone with 64 gigabyte."
or
"A phone with 64 GB (simply pronounce the letter 'G' and 'B')."
which one is more ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
is the statement “We ain't never” positive?
This might be an odd question.
A lyric of popular song, "We ain't never getting older".
I understand as "ain't never" is double negatives and when two negative elements cancel each others, I know it ...
