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One very common and important punctuation mark
( . ) looks like a small, dark circle. When this mark is
used with numbers, it's called a point. When it's used
in e-mail and WWW addresses, it's called a dot. In
other situations, it's called a period.
In American English, one common use for the period
is in abbreviations. Here are some abbreviations which
are commonly used in formal academic writing:
| c., ca. |
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circa (a Latin abbreviation meaning
approximately or about)
This abbreviation is most often used
in giving approximate dates.
Example:
The Inca Empire is believed to have
begun ca. 1200 AD.
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| ed. |
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edition
This abbreviation is used when giving
bibliographic information (for example,
a list of references which are used in
a report, thesis, dissertation, etc.).
Example:
Azar, Betty Schrampfer: Understanding
and Using English Grammar, 3rd ed.
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| ed. |
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editor
This abbreviation is used to show
the name of an editor, not an author.
Example:
Letheridge, S., & Cannon, C.R. (Eds.).
(1980). Bilingual Education: Teaching
English as a Second Language.
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| e.g. |
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exempli gratia (a Latin abbreviation
used to mean for example)
Example:
Linking verbs (e.g., be, seem, appear)
are traditionally followed by subject
pronouns or adjectives.
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| et al. |
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et alii (a Latin abbreviation meaning
and others)
This abbreviation is used to show that
one or two authors and other authors
wrote a particular work.
Example:
McKay et al: A History of World
Societies. (McKay was one of several
authors for this book.)
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| etc. |
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et cetera (a Latin abbreviation used
to mean and other similar things)
Example:
Adverbs of degree (very, quite, too,
extremely, highly, etc.) may precede
both adjectives and other adverbs.
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| i.e. |
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id est (a Latin abbreviation meaning
that is)
This abbreviation is used in showing
explanations or paraphrases.
Example:
Pisanky (i.e., Ukrainian Easter eggs)
usually feature elaborate ornamentation.
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| NB |
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nota bene (a Latin abbreviation
meaning note well or pay special
attention to)
NB: Visitors without special passes will
not be permitted in the display room.
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| Op. |
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opus (a Latin abbreviation meaning work)
This abbreviation is used for numbered
musical compositions by a composer.
Example:
"Eroica" is the common name for
Beethoven's Symphony number 3, Op. 55.
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