All sources advise against using titles before and after a name at the same time (i.e., she can be Dr. The APA Publication Manual recommends not using periods with degrees other reference manuals do recommend using periods, so use your own judgment on this issue. These are standard abbreviations, with periods. Incidentally, we cannot say 'We invited the reverend to dinner' and only a cad would invite 'the rev.' Titles after names: Darling' and 'the Honorable Francisco Gonzales' (i.e., it's not a good idea to abbreviate either Reverend or Honorable when these words are preceded by 'the'). In formal text, we would write 'the Reverend Alan B. In informal language or when we're trying to save space or make a list, we can write Rev. (for Reverend and Honorable) are not, strictly speaking, titles they are adjectives. Emily Dickinson is simply Emily Dickinson, and after the first use of her full name, Dickinson will do (unless we need Emily to avoid confusion with other Dickinsons). In most formal prose, we do not use titles, abbreviated or otherwise, with individuals.

Carter, Lincoln, and Ford.) The plural of Mrs. Carter, Lincoln, and Ford.) The plural of Dr. is not an abbreviation, either, but we do use a period after it probably to keep it consistent with Mr. Notice that Miss is not an abbreviation, so we don't put a period after it. Both these books contain extensive chapters on proper form in using abbreviations, as well as the possessive and plural forms of abbreviations.Ībbreviate the following: Titles before names: If you are frequently confronted with decisions regarding abbreviations, get hold of a copy of either The Chicago Manual of Style or The Gregg Reference Manual.

Two letter abbreviations for words