The label abbreviation refers to the practice of writing a word or phrase that could also be written out in full using only the letters of the alphabet. Examples are: Mr for mister, Dr for doctor and Capt for captain.
In British English full stops are uncommon after abbreviations that contain the first and last letters of the full expression. Examples are: Dr and Mr
In American English, full stops are common, and Mr. and Dr. are preferred.
An abbreviation usually does not have a distinct pronunciation of its own: we pronounce Mr as ‘mister’ and ‘Dr’ as ‘doctor’. There are, nevertheless, a few exceptions to this rule. For example, the abbreviation p. for pence is sometimes pronounced as ‘pee’.
In British English full stops are uncommon after abbreviations that contain the first and last letters of the full expression. Examples are: Dr and Mr
In American English, full stops are common, and Mr. and Dr. are preferred.
An abbreviation usually does not have a distinct pronunciation of its own: we pronounce Mr as ‘mister’ and ‘Dr’ as ‘doctor’. There are, nevertheless, a few exceptions to this rule. For example, the abbreviation p. for pence is sometimes pronounced as ‘pee’.
