Abbreviations and acronyms are words that are often used in writing but may sometimes be misinterpreted. Sometimes people will use an abbreviation or acronym without properly spelling it out. This can lead to some confusion, as well as some funny misunderstandings.
To encounter confusion, you should better understand these two terms. This blog will tell you the difference between them so you can use them properly.
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Abbreviation and Acronym: Differences
Summary
- An acronym is a word or phrase that has its initial letters combined to create a shorter version. For example, Deoxyribonucleic acid can be written as ‘DNA.’
- On the other hand, the abbreviation is a shorter form of the word. For example, minutes can be written as ‘min.’
- The acronym pronounces as the new word
- Abbreviation pronounces as the original word
Definition: Abbreviation & Acronym
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. It’s typically used in written communication to save time and space.
For example, “Mr.” can be abbreviated as “Mister.” Similarly, the word “Mrs.” can be abbreviated as “Missus” An abbreviation is always spelled out when it’s used in words (e.g., Mister and Missus).
On the other hand, an acronym is an abbreviation pronounced as a word (e.g., NASA). An acronym is often created when two or more Abbreviations are combined to make one new word (e.g., FBI).
There are many acronyms, but some of the most common ones include NASA, NATO, NBA, and AMA. The acronym is spelled out as a new word.
Primary Differences and How to Clarify Each Other
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, while an acronym is a word or phrase formed from the initial letters of other words or phrases.
The primary difference between abbreviation and acronym is that an abbreviation is typically only used in writing, while an acronym can be used in both writing and speech. An example of an abbreviation typically used in writing is Mr., while an example of an acronym typically used in writing and speech is NASA.
The difference between abbreviations and acronyms can be clarified by understanding their definitions, understanding the proper definitions, and seeing some of the most common examples. Anyone can be able to identify what an abbreviation is and what an acronym is. Once you know the definition, it’ll be like walking in the park to tell the difference between these two English terms.
Another difference between Abbreviation and Acronym is that there will always be a ‘DOT’ at the end of any abbreviation; in the above example, you can see a DOT at the end of the word Mr.
There is no DOT at the end of any acronym. For example, in the word ‘NASA,’ you don’t have to put anything at the end of it.
How to Remember the Difference Between Abbreviation & Acronym
Remembering the difference between abbreviations and acronyms is easy. One most important thing is knowing the definition of both of these terms. You have to see a lot of examples so that you can understand these terms better. Practice makes a man perfect, so you must practice with these and search the internet. With this method, the next time you encounter any acronym or abbreviation, you’ll be able to identify the difference in no time.
Example Sentences of Abbreviation & Acronym
Abbreviation
Govt.: government
It appears that the govt. asked the ISPs to block certain blogs
Yr.: year
Each academic yr. around 100 students spends a term at another leading business school.
Univ.: university
The study was conducted at the emergency department of my univ.
Km.: kilometer(s)
Apart from 4,500 km of motorable roads, Bangalore has 41,500 km of narrow lanes.
Engr.: Engineering, Engineer
The arch is a fashionable solution just now, and there is reasonable engineering justification.
Acronym
DOB: Date of Birth
I will give you a present so tell me, what is your DOB?
ATM: Automated Teller Machine
I don’t have money; I’m looking for an ATM to withdraw some money.
ASAP: As Soon As Possible
Today’s task has to be done ASAP.
UFO: Unidentified Flying Object
There are some reports of UFO seeing all around the world.
PIN: Personal Identification Number
Please don’t share your PIN with anyone; it can be dangerous.
Conclusion
When it comes to abbreviations, people often misunderstand that they are exactly the same. In reality, there is a significant difference between them. Acronyms are used for communication purposes, whereas abbreviations are widely used in writing and texting. The main difference lies in how each one is pronounced and written.
While both can sometimes be confusing, it is easy to understand which one you’re using with some practice!
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