Acronym vs. abbreviation

[Tri]

so,,,NATO as acronym too,,,
but CIA not,,,,

[Tieulong017]

thanks teacher
i am very happy today because i understand different between abbreviation and acronym

[Torsten]

You understand the difference, not the 'different'.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Torsten]

[Mon]

Dear Torsten,

Thank you very much for this lesson. These two words are quite new for me. I've never known before they are different. I'm now clearly understood what's the different between them. I'll be waiting for the next lesson.

Best regards,
Mon.

[Brett]

Hi all,

I stumbled across this thread today and quite enjoyed reading it. I thought I would add my few comments.

In reply to Henoc, post #19: "1. Do you separate letters in abbrevations with dots?
2. How do you write them(abbrevations)? I mean with capital letters, small letters,..."

1. Most abbreviations stand for a number of words and consist of the first letter of each of these words. They should have periods (dots) after each letter. So it should be F.B.I., not FBI. Other abbreviations consist of multiple letters that stand for a single word. If the last letter of the abbreviation is also the last letter of the word, it doesn't get a period, for example, Mr (mister) or Dr (doctor). Acronyms, because they are pronounced as words, do not take periods (LASER). However, with English there are always exceptions. Some abbreviations have come into common usage without periods, when they should have them. For example USA.

2. Typically, if the abbreviation is the first letter of each word, it is capatilised. However (you knew that was coming, didn't you?), there are some abbreviations where, for example, conjunctions are not capitilised. An example is VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and is also, by the way, commonly written without periods.

[Brett]

Arumugam writes (in post #20):
"So LASER is acronym.
How are they are forming abbreviation ?"

I think you meant "What does this acronym stand for?" If so, it stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Regards,
Brett

[Effiong]

It is true that learning is a continuous process. The English lesson I am undergoing here has revealed new things; the "acronym vs abbreviation" is one of such. Up until now I did not know the difference between the two.

Please let me also know the difference between chairman and president.

You are all wonderful teachers and I hope to learn more from you.

Cheers!

Effiong

[Saule]

Hi, I'm still confused about acronyms and abbreviations. NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] is an acronym because it can be read as one word. But S.O.S we also can read as one word, but S.O.S. is an abbreviation. Why?

[Kitosdad]

Eduardo, you appear to have a good logical and organised mind. I think you will do very well. You have obviously listened to English speakers and have very quickly picked up the grammatical form of conversation. Well done.

Kitos.
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[Kitosdad]

But S.O.S we also can read as one word, but S.O.S. is an abbreviation. Why?

No you cannot read it as one word. It makes no sense.

S.O.S. is an internationally recognised cry for assistance. No-one would ever say, " SOS."
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[Salvacion]

This is a good example of an explanation.
Thank you so much Laura.

[Khishigjargal]

Dear teacher
I have understood about acronyms. Every week I have being recieved new English lesson and improving my English.
Thank you
Sincerely,yours Khishgee

[Dharshini]

Hi,
Susithra speaking. Since continuously one month I didn't learn lessons, because my network was in problem. Hereafter I try to learn the lessons properly.
thankyou.

[*danish70]

What Is This Torsten i've not got it