Editor's Corner

Today’s tip is another excerpt from The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl™, by Mignon Fogarty (p. 19).

Abbreviated Endings

When you end a sentence with an abbreviation, you don’t need an extra period.

Apple Computer, Inc. became Apple, Inc.. (wrong)

The period that ends the abbreviation also ends the sentence. Think of it as an environmentally friendly rule—one dot of ink serves two purposes.

However, such sentences can confuse readers because it may not be obvious that you’ve started a new sentence. Try to rewrite the sentence so the abbreviation doesn’t come at the end or write out the abbreviated word.

The story is different when the sentence is a question or exclamation—then you need both punctuation marks:

Why did they choose Apple, Inc.?

I adore their name—Apple, Inc.!

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

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