An editor with 13 years of experience, I currently work for an online editing company and do freelance work. I'm also a writer represented by Black Hawk Literary Agency. I've created this blog to help the fellow writers with writing & editing tips and advice. I'll continue to post on subjects I come up with or have been requested/suggested by others. Meanwhile, I have my fingers crossed for the release date of my YA novel BODY JUMPING.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Abbreviation, Acronym, or Initialism? Know the Difference.
This is such a simple matter, but so many people use these terms in the wrong way. So, here’s a short and sweet explanation.
First and foremost, ALL acronyms and initialisms are types of abbreviations.
According to the dictionary, an acronym is a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words. And initialism is a set of initials representing a name, organization, or the like.
Basically, aren't they the same thing? No. Here's the difference.
In acronyms, the initials like OPEC and NATO become new words, so they're pronounced as words.
In initialisms, each letter is pronounced as in PBS and HTML.
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