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WC - Language Usage Shortened Forms of Words

This document discusses rules for using shortened forms of words in academic writing. It provides guidance on contractions, abbreviations, acronyms, initialisms, and other common abbreviations. For most academic essays, a formal writing style is expected. This includes avoiding contractions and only using certain accepted shortened forms of words, with correct punctuation and capitalization. Knowing these rules allows writers to self-edit their work and ensure they are using shortened forms of words appropriately in academic texts.

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46 views

WC - Language Usage Shortened Forms of Words

This document discusses rules for using shortened forms of words in academic writing. It provides guidance on contractions, abbreviations, acronyms, initialisms, and other common abbreviations. For most academic essays, a formal writing style is expected. This includes avoiding contractions and only using certain accepted shortened forms of words, with correct punctuation and capitalization. Knowing these rules allows writers to self-edit their work and ensure they are using shortened forms of words appropriately in academic texts.

Uploaded by

M G
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Language Usage: Shortened Forms of Words

For most academic essays, you are expected to use a formal writing style. You need to learn about the DOs
and DON'Ts of this style so that you can edit your work effectively. Also, when you shorten words or phrases
for academic writing, there are specific punctuation and capitalisation rules that must be followed. You
should understand some basic rules about:
1. Shortened words
2. Shortened phrases
3. Other common abbreviations
GRAMMAR CHECKERS do not flag the use of shortened forms of words. They have no idea of

 the appropriateness of these shortened forms in your academic writing and will not signal their
correct or incorrect use. You need to know the correct punctuation, capitalisation, and rules of
use.

1. Shortened words
Most shortened forms of words are not acceptable in your formal writing. There are two main types of
shortened words: contractions and abbreviations. You need to know about these when you are writing so
that you can proofread your writing for correct usage.
● Contractions
There are TWO types of contractions: grammatical contractions and single word contractions.
1. Grammatical contractions join together two words to make a single word. In formal writing, you need
to retain the two words.
Examples: it’s (it is, it has); don’t (do not); can’t (cannot); you’ll (you will); should’ve (should have);
would’ve (would have); we’re (we are); aren’t (are not); isn’t (is not), shan’t (shall not); let’s (let us);
who’s (who is, who has); they’re; (they are); doesn’t (does not)
2. Single word contractions are the shortened form of words that begin and end with the same letters as
the original word and do NOT have a full stop. Generally speaking, you should avoid using these in your
writing unless they are commonly used in a particular field of study (discipline) or used in a reference list
or in-text citation.
Examples: govt (government), dept (department), Cwth (Commonwealth), Qld (Queensland)
● Abbreviations
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word that does NOT end in the same letter as the original word.
Generally, full stops are used. Unless the word is used in your reference list or is an accepted form for in-
text references, it is important to follow the rules for formal writing and write the term in full.
1. Days and months: Write in full in your text but use the correct standard abbreviation for longer months
when it is used in your reference list
Examples: Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
2. Compass points: Write in full in your text and hyphenate compound forms—do not capitalise unless you
use the abbreviated form in diagrams or illustrations.
Examples: north, south, east, west, south-western, south-easterly winds
3. Geographical features: Always write the full name of geographical features in your written text—do not
use abbreviations as you would do on a map or diagram.
Examples: Sydney Harbour, North Island, Snowy Mountains, Brisbane River, Cape York

Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets P a g e | 1


2. Shortened phrases
There are TWO main types of shortened phrases: acronyms and initialisms. Most shortened phrases are
acceptable in your formal writing if you follow the rules. Some shortened phrases can be used as acronyms
and initialisms without writing in the full term first as explained below, but this will depend on discipline
requirements and common usage.
RULE: If the full name is required first, then give the full name on the first occurrence followed by the
shortened form in parentheses/brackets. Then, you can use the shortened form for the rest of the essay
 (e.g., The University of New England (UNE) reported that students needed training in plagiarism issues.
Consequently, the program at UNE now requires students to …). DO NOT give the shortened form unless
you intend to use it again in your writing.
● Acronyms
Acronyms are strings of initial letters of a group of words/phrase that are PRONOUNCED as a word. They are
usually written in capitals, but some more familiar acronyms use lower case.
Examples: TAFE, NATO, WHO, AIDS, ROM, ATSIC, CD, Telstra, Anzac, Qantas, scuba, radar
● Initialisms
Initialisms are strings of initial letters that are PRONOUNCED letter by letter. The initials are written in capital
letters and no full stops are used.
1. Geographical terms: Always write the names of countries and geographical places in full in your formal
academic texts
Examples: United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), New Zealand (NZ)
2. Australian states and territories: Write in full the first time, then use the correct standard
abbreviation—In New South Wales (NSW), the law states that …
Examples: NSW, Vic., Qld, WA, SA, Tas., ACT
3. Commonly known terms: If a term is mostly known by its initials, then you can use it that way;
otherwise, you must follow the rule.
Examples: UNE, DVD, HTML, IBM, ABC, BBC, IRA, FAQ, DNA, IOU, TB, NESB
• If you need to make an acronym into a plural, then add a lower case 's' without using an apostrophe

 •
(e.g., TAFEs, PhDs, IQs).
While a shortened phrase may be in capitals, only use capital letters for the full name if the original
words require capitals (e.g., TB=tuberculosis, FAQs=frequently asked questions)

3. Other common abbreviations


● AVOID USING COMMON ABBREVIATIONS. It is BEST to write the full term in the text of your writing.
Examples:
• cf. (use compare instead) 
• e.g. (use for example instead) If you do use the abbreviations i.e. or e.g., then they
• etc. (use and so forth instead) must be placed inside parentheses (brackets).
• i.e. (use that is instead) For example:
• viz. (use namely instead) The rules of plagiarism, that is, copying another's work
inappropriately, were carefully explained.
• vs. (use versus/against instead)
• & (use and instead) OR
• NB (use note that instead) The rules of plagiarism (i.e., copying another's work
inappropriately) were carefully explained.

Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets P a g e | 2

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