• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Executive Writer

Executive Writer

Business Writing Training

  • About
  • Workshops
  • Government
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact

Is It an Acronym or an Initialism

March 27, 2016 by gomarketing

Abbreviations come in several sizes:

1. Acronym

Refers only to abbreviations that sound like—and are read like—actual words: North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO (pronounced NAY-toe). Some acronyms spell out real words: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. And some acronyms become “real” words: laser began as the acronym LASER (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation).


2. Initialism

Refers to a series of letters that you say individually: ATM (automated teller machine), BBC (British Broadcasting Company), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).


3. Contraction

Refers to abbreviations that include the first and last letters of the full word: Ms. (miz), Mr. (mister), amt. (amount), Gov. (governor).

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Footer

Information

  • About
  • Contact
  • Reviews

Training

  • Government
  • Workshops

Writing Tips

  • A Lawyer Makes an Airtight Case for Plain Writing
  • Writing Advice from Famous Authors
  • Scientific Writing Doesn’t Have to Sound, Well, Scientific
  • Kids Who Can’t Write Turn into Businesspeople Who Can’t Write

Let’s Talk

The Executive Writer
11833 Hidden Valley Road
Sandy, Utah 84092-5735

801-706-7558
info@executivewriter.com

The Executive Writer © 2023 · All Rights Reserved
SAM ID LM2LRB2MX9P8 • CAGE 3SPU0 • DUNS 028636947