20 Common Writing Abbreviations

Writing abbreviations play an important role in our day-to-day communication. They help us write faster and make our messages clearer.

Whether you’re sending a text message, writing an email, or taking notes, abbreviations can be super helpful.

Let’s dive into some of the most commonly used writing abbreviations.

What Are Writing Abbreviations?

Writing abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. These abbreviations not only save time but also make written communication more efficient and to the point.

They are used in various contexts, from casual conversations to academic papers.

List of Common Writing Abbreviations

Here are 20 of the most common writing abbreviations you might encounter:

General Writing Abbreviations

1. A.M. – Ante Meridiem (Before Noon)
2. ASAP – As Soon As Possible
3. Ave – Avenue
4. B.Y.O.B. – Bring Your Own Bottle/Bring Your Own Beer
5. C.O.D. – Cash On Delivery
6. DIY – Do It Yourself
7. e.g. – For Example
8. etc. – Et Cetera (And Other Things)
9. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
10. FYI – For Your Information
11. i.e. – In Other Words
12. Inc. – Incorporated
13. N/A – Not Applicable
14. P.M. – Post Meridiem (After Noon)
15. P.S. – Postscript
16. R.S.V.P. – Please Respond
17. St. – Street
18. vs – Versus
19. PTO – Please Turn Over
20. DOB – Date Of Birth

General Writing Abbreviations

One of the most commonly used abbreviations is ASAP, which stands for As Soon As Possible. This abbreviation is handy when you need to get something done quickly. FYI, or For Your Information, is another abbreviation that’s used to share a piece of information.

We often come across e.g., which stands for For Example. It’s used when we want to give an example of something we’re explaining. On the other hand, i.e. means In Other Words and is used when we want to clarify a statement.

Etc. is short for Et Cetera, which means “and other things.” It’s used when listing items to indicate that there are more items that could be listed. P.S. means Postscript and is used when we want to add something at the end of a letter or note.

Time Abbreviations

Time abbreviations like A.M. (Ante Meridiem) and P.M. (Post Meridiem) help us differentiate between morning and afternoon times. Knowing these abbreviations is crucial for planning and scheduling.

Business and Legal Abbreviations

In business, abbreviations like Inc., which means Incorporated, are common and help to indicate the legal status of a company. C.O.D., or Cash On Delivery, is often used in business transactions.

R.S.V.P., which stands for Please Respond, is used when inviting someone to an event and asking them to confirm their attendance.

Locations and Addresses

Abbreviations like Ave for Avenue, St. for Street, and B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bottle/Bring Your Own Beer) are often seen in addresses and event invitations. These abbreviations help to save space and make addresses easier to read.

Conclusion

Writing abbreviations are an essential part of our written communication. They help us to write quickly and convey messages more efficiently.

By understanding these abbreviations, we can improve our writing and make it clearer.

FAQs

What does ASAP stand for?

ASAP stands for As Soon As Possible.

How do you abbreviate For Example?

For Example is abbreviated as e.g..

What is the abbreviation for Date Of Birth?

Date Of Birth is abbreviated as DOB.

How is Postscript abbreviated?

Postscript is abbreviated as P.S..

What does R.S.V.P. mean?

R.S.V.P. means Please Respond.