Abbreviations, Contractions, and Their Punctuation: English ЕГЭ 2025 Preparation

Understanding how to form and punctuate abbreviations and contractions correctly is an important aspect of written English. This guide will help you master the rules governing these shortened forms, which will enhance your performance in the writing section of the ЕГЭ English exam. By learning these conventions and practicing their application, you will be able to write with greater accuracy and clarity.

Theory for Exam Preparation

Abbreviations and contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases that are commonly used in both formal and informal English writing. Using these forms correctly demonstrates your command of English conventions and contributes to clear, efficient communication. In the ЕГЭ English exam, proper use of abbreviations and contractions is an important component of the writing tasks. Incorrect formation or punctuation of these shortened forms can detract from the clarity of your writing and may result in lower scores. This guide will explore the various types of abbreviations and contractions in English, including acronyms, initialisms, shortened words, and contractions formed with apostrophes. For each type, we will examine the rules for formation, punctuation, and usage in different contexts. By familiarizing yourself with these conventions and practicing their application, you will be better equipped to write accurately and effectively in the exam.

Types of Abbreviations

Acronyms

Acronyms are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a phrase and pronounced as a word:

Acronym	Full Form	Pronunciation
NASA	National Aeronautics and Space Administration	Pronounced as "nasa" (not as individual letters)
UNESCO	United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization	Pronounced as "yu-nes-ko"
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization	Pronounced as "nay-to"
LASER	Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation	Pronounced as "lay-zer"
SCUBA	Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus	Pronounced as "skoo-ba"

Rules for acronyms:

Modern style generally uses all capital letters without periods: NATO, UNESCO
Some acronyms have become so common that they are now written as regular words: laser, radar, scuba
The indefinite article used before an acronym depends on its pronunciation, not its spelling:
- "a NATO summit" (because NATO begins with a consonant sound)
- "an FBI agent" (because FBI begins with a vowel sound)

Initialisms

Initialisms are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a phrase but pronounced as individual letters:

Initialism	Full Form	Pronunciation
BBC	British Broadcasting Corporation	Pronounced as "B-B-C" (individual letters)
FBI	Federal Bureau of Investigation	Pronounced as "F-B-I"
UK	United Kingdom	Pronounced as "U-K"
ATM	Automated Teller Machine	Pronounced as "A-T-M"
HTML	HyperText Markup Language	Pronounced as "H-T-M-L"

Rules for initialisms:

Written in all capital letters without periods in modern usage: UK, BBC, FBI
Some style guides, particularly in British English, may use periods: U.K., B.B.C. (though this is increasingly uncommon)
The indefinite article used before an initialism depends on its pronunciation:
- "a UK citizen" (because UK begins with a consonant sound, "yu")
- "an FBI agent" (because FBI begins with a vowel sound, "ef")

Shortened Words

Shortened words are abbreviations formed by omitting part of the original word:

Shortened Form	Full Form	Notes
exam	examination	Informal shortening, no period needed
lab	laboratory	Informal shortening, no period needed
prof.	professor	Formal abbreviation, period often used
Dr.	Doctor	Title abbreviation, period used in American English
St.	Street or Saint	Context determines meaning

Rules for shortened words:

Informal shortenings that have become standard words (exam, lab, gym) do not require periods
More formal abbreviations often include a period (Prof., Dr., St.)
British English often omits the period in title abbreviations (Dr, Mr, Mrs), while American English includes it (Dr., Mr., Mrs.)
When the first and last letters of the original word are retained in the abbreviation, no period is needed (Dr, Mr)

Punctuation of Abbreviations

Periods in Abbreviations

The use of periods in abbreviations varies depending on the type of abbreviation and the style guide being followed:

Type	British English	American English	Examples
Titles	No periods: Mr, Dr, Prof	Periods: Mr., Dr., Prof.	Dr Smith (UK) / Dr. Smith (US)
Academic degrees	No periods: BA, PhD, MSc	Periods or no periods: B.A. or BA, Ph.D. or PhD	John Smith, PhD (UK) / John Smith, Ph.D. (US)
Organizations	No periods: BBC, NATO	Increasingly no periods: FBI, CIA (formerly F.B.I., C.I.A.)	BBC News (UK) / FBI investigation (US)
Latin abbreviations	Often with periods: e.g., i.e., etc.	With periods: e.g., i.e., etc.	Many factors (e.g., time, cost) must be considered.
Units of measurement	No periods: kg, cm, km	No periods: kg, cm, km	The package weighs 2 kg.

General trends in period usage:

Modern style increasingly favors fewer periods in abbreviations
American English tends to use more periods than British English
Scientific and technical writing generally omits periods in abbreviations
When in doubt, consult a style guide appropriate for your context

Plurals of Abbreviations

To form the plural of most abbreviations, simply add 's' without an apostrophe:

Singular	Plural	Example
MP	MPs	Several MPs voted against the bill.
CEO	CEOs	The CEOs of major companies attended the conference.
PhD	PhDs	Many PhDs struggle to find academic positions.
DVD	DVDs	I have a collection of classic DVDs.

Special cases:

For abbreviations with periods, add 's' after the final period: Ph.D.'s (though "PhDs" is increasingly common)
For single letters, an apostrophe is sometimes used to avoid confusion: p's and q's, A's and B's (to distinguish from "As" and "Bs")
For decades, no apostrophe is needed: the 1990s, the '90s (not the 1990's or the '90's)

Capitalization in Abbreviations

Capitalization in abbreviations follows these general patterns:

Acronyms and initialisms are typically written in all capital letters: NATO, FBI, UNESCO
Abbreviations derived from proper nouns are capitalized: Mon. (Monday), Jan. (January), Dr. (Doctor)
Abbreviations derived from common nouns are usually not capitalized: etc., e.g., i.e.
Units of measurement are typically lowercase: kg, cm, mph (except when derived from a proper name: W for watt, Hz for hertz)

Contractions

Apostrophe Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms where letters are omitted and replaced by an apostrophe:

Contraction	Full Form	Example
I'm	I am	I'm going to the store.
you're	you are	You're going to be late.
he's	he is / he has	He's working late. / He's finished his work.
she's	she is / she has	She's a doctor. / She's been to Paris.
it's	it is / it has	It's raining. / It's been raining all day.
we're	we are	We're going to the movies.
they're	they are	They're coming to dinner.
isn't	is not	He isn't here.
aren't	are not	They aren't ready yet.
wasn't	was not	She wasn't at the meeting.
weren't	were not	We weren't invited.
don't	do not	I don't know.
doesn't	does not	He doesn't understand.
didn't	did not	They didn't come.
can't	cannot	I can't swim.
couldn't	could not	She couldn't attend.
won't	will not	He won't help us.
wouldn't	would not	I wouldn't do that.
I'll	I will / I shall	I'll see you tomorrow.
you'll	you will	You'll regret this.
he'll	he will	He'll be here soon.
she'll	she will	She'll help you.
it'll	it will	It'll be fine.
we'll	we will / we shall	We'll see you later.
they'll	they will	They'll arrive tomorrow.
I'd	I would / I had	I'd like to help. / I'd already eaten.
you'd	you would / you had	You'd better hurry. / You'd never seen it before.
he'd	he would / he had	He'd prefer tea. / He'd finished his work.
she'd	she would / she had	She'd like to come. / She'd been there before.
it'd	it would / it had	It'd be nice. / It'd been raining all day.
we'd	we would / we had	We'd love to join you. / We'd already decided.
they'd	they would / they had	They'd prefer coffee. / They'd left before we arrived.
I've	I have	I've finished my homework.
you've	you have	You've made a mistake.
we've	we have	We've been waiting for hours.
they've	they have	They've gone home.
let's	let us	Let's go to the park.

Common Errors with Contractions

Contractions are often confused with possessive forms or other similar-looking words:

Contraction	Commonly Confused With	Correct Usage
it's (it is/it has)	its (possessive)	It's raining. (contraction) The dog wagged its tail. (possessive)
you're (you are)	your (possessive)	You're late. (contraction) Is this your book? (possessive)
they're (they are)	their (possessive) there (location)	They're coming. (contraction) Their house is big. (possessive) The book is over there. (location)
who's (who is/who has)	whose (possessive)	Who's coming to the party? (contraction) Whose book is this? (possessive)
let's (let us)	lets (allows)	Let's go! (contraction) She lets her dog run free. (allows)

Formality and Contractions

The use of contractions varies depending on the formality of the writing:

Formal writing: Contractions are generally avoided in formal academic writing, business correspondence, and some types of essays
Semi-formal writing: Limited use of contractions may be acceptable in some contexts
Informal writing: Contractions are common and expected in emails, personal letters, creative writing, and casual communication
Dialogue: Contractions are essential in dialogue to reflect natural speech patterns

Guidelines for the ЕГЭ exam:

For formal essays and letters, minimize or avoid contractions
For informal letters, emails, and creative writing, use contractions naturally
Be consistent with your level of formality throughout your writing

Common Latin Abbreviations

Frequently Used Latin Abbreviations

Several Latin abbreviations are commonly used in English writing:

Abbreviation	Latin Origin	Meaning	Example
e.g.	exempli gratia	for example	Many European countries (e.g., France, Germany, Spain) use the euro.
i.e.	id est	that is	He works the night shift, i.e., from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
etc.	et cetera	and so forth	Please bring pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.
et al.	et alii	and others	The research paper by Smith et al. was published last year.
N.B.	nota bene	note well	N.B.: The deadline has been extended to Friday.
vs.	versus	against	The final match will be City vs. United.
c. or ca.	circa	approximately (for dates)	The castle was built c. 1450.

Punctuation of Latin Abbreviations

Rules for punctuating Latin abbreviations:

Most Latin abbreviations are followed by a period: e.g., i.e., etc.
When the abbreviation consists of multiple parts, each part typically has a period: e.g., i.e., N.B.
In British English, there is a trend toward omitting periods in some Latin abbreviations: eg, ie (though this is not universal)
Latin abbreviations are usually followed by a comma when they appear in the middle of a sentence: "The team members, i.e., John, Sarah, and Michael, will attend the meeting."
Do not use a comma before "etc." when it completes a list: "Please bring pens, pencils, notebooks etc."

Common Errors with Latin Abbreviations

Avoid these common mistakes when using Latin abbreviations:

Confusing e.g. and i.e.:
- e.g. introduces examples (not an exhaustive list)
- i.e. introduces a clarification or restatement (equivalent to "that is" or "in other words")
Using "etc." redundantly:
- Incorrect: "For example, apples, oranges, bananas, etc."
- Correct: "Fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, etc."
Using "etc." with "and":
- Incorrect: "apples, oranges, and etc."
- Correct: "apples, oranges, etc."
Using "etc." with "such as" or "for example":
- Incorrect: "such as apples, oranges, etc."
- Correct: "such as apples and oranges" or "apples, oranges, etc."

Abbreviations in Academic and Professional Writing

First Mention Rule

When using abbreviations in formal writing, follow the first mention rule:

Write out the full term the first time it appears, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses
Use only the abbreviation in subsequent mentions

Examples:

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines. The WHO recommends..."
"The study used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to examine brain activity. The MRI results showed..."

Abbreviations in References and Citations

Common abbreviations used in academic references and citations:

Abbreviation	Meaning	Usage
ed. / eds.	editor / editors	Smith, J. (ed.). (2020). Book Title.
et al.	and others	Smith et al. (2020) argued that...
vol. / vols.	volume / volumes	Journal Title, vol. 5, pp. 23-45.
p. / pp.	page / pages	p. 27 or pp. 27-35
ch. / chs.	chapter / chapters	See ch. 3 for more information.
ibid.	in the same place	Smith (2020, p. 45). Ibid., p. 47.
op. cit.	in the work cited	Smith, op. cit., p. 29.

Note: Different citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) have specific rules for using abbreviations in references. Always consult the appropriate style guide for your context.

Abbreviations to Avoid in Formal Writing

Some abbreviations are too informal for academic or professional writing:

Informal Abbreviation	Full Form	Recommendation
info	information	Use the full form in formal writing
admin	administration	Use the full form in formal writing
photo	photograph	Both forms are acceptable in most contexts
exam	examination	Both forms are acceptable in most contexts
lab	laboratory	Use the full form in formal writing
prof	professor	Use the full form in formal writing
uni	university	Use the full form in formal writing

Abbreviations and Contractions in the ЕГЭ English Exam

Appropriate Use in Different Writing Tasks

The ЕГЭ English exam includes various writing tasks with different levels of formality. Here's how to use abbreviations and contractions appropriately:

Writing Task	Formality Level	Abbreviation and Contraction Usage
Formal letter/email	High	Avoid contractions (use "I am" instead of "I'm") Use standard abbreviations (Mr., Dr., etc.) Follow the first mention rule for specialized abbreviations Latin abbreviations are acceptable if used correctly
Essay	High	Avoid contractions Use standard abbreviations Follow the first mention rule Latin abbreviations are acceptable if used correctly
Semi-formal letter/email	Medium	Limited use of common contractions is acceptable Standard abbreviations are acceptable Avoid very informal abbreviations
Informal letter/email	Low	Contractions are expected and natural Common abbreviations are acceptable Some informal abbreviations are acceptable
Article	Varies	Depends on the target audience and purpose Academic articles: follow formal guidelines Magazine/newspaper articles: moderate use of contractions and abbreviations
Review	Medium	Moderate use of contractions is acceptable Standard abbreviations are acceptable
Report	High	Avoid contractions Use standard abbreviations Follow the first mention rule

Common Errors to Avoid

In the ЕГЭ English exam, be careful to avoid these common errors related to abbreviations and contractions:

Mixing formality levels: Using contractions in formal writing or being overly formal in informal contexts
Confusing contractions with possessives: its/it's, your/you're, their/they're/there
Incorrect apostrophe placement: it's (not its'), won't (not wo'nt)
Using apostrophes for plurals: CDs (not CD's), 1990s (not 1990's)
Overusing abbreviations: Using too many abbreviations can make your writing difficult to follow
Not explaining specialized abbreviations: Failing to write out the full term on first mention
Using text-message abbreviations: Avoid "u" for "you," "2" for "to/too," "b4" for "before," etc.

Strategies for Correct Usage

To ensure correct use of abbreviations and contractions in the exam:

Identify the formality level required by the task and adjust your use of contractions accordingly
Proofread carefully, paying special attention to apostrophes and commonly confused words
Be consistent with your style throughout your writing
When in doubt about an abbreviation, write out the full form
For specialized abbreviations, follow the first mention rule
Use Latin abbreviations correctly and sparingly
Avoid creating your own abbreviations unless they are explained

Practice Examples

Identify and correct the errors in these sentences.

Its going to rain tomorrow, so you'd better take your umbrella.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new guidelines. According to the World Health Organisation, these measures are essential.
Please bring pens, pencils, notebooks, and etc.
Many European country's, i.e., France, Germany, and Spain, use the euro.
The CEO's of major companies attended the conference.

Answers:

1. It's going to rain tomorrow, so you'd better take your umbrella. ("Its" is possessive; "it's" is the contraction of "it is")

2. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new guidelines. According to the WHO, these measures are essential. (After introducing an abbreviation, use it consistently)

3. Please bring pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. (Remove "and" before "etc.")

4. Many European countries, e.g., France, Germany, and Spain, use the euro. ("Countries" is plural, not possessive; "e.g." means "for example," while "i.e." means "that is")

5. The CEOs of major companies attended the conference. (No apostrophe needed for plural abbreviations)

Choose the appropriate form for each context.

Formal letter: I (am / 'm) writing to apply for the position advertised in yesterday's newspaper.
Academic essay: The experiment (was not / wasn't) successful due to several factors.
Informal email: (I am / I'm) sorry I (cannot / can't) make it to your party.
Business report: The company (has not / hasn't) achieved its targets for this quarter.
Scientific paper: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to examine brain activity. (MRI / The MRI / Magnetic Resonance Imaging) results showed significant changes.

Answers:

1. Formal letter: I am writing to apply for the position advertised in yesterday's newspaper. (Avoid contractions in formal letters)

2. Academic essay: The experiment was not successful due to several factors. (Avoid contractions in academic writing)

3. Informal email: I'm sorry I can't make it to your party. (Contractions are natural in informal writing)

4. Business report: The company has not achieved its targets for this quarter. (Avoid contractions in formal business writing)

5. Scientific paper: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to examine brain activity. The MRI results showed significant changes. (After introducing the abbreviation, use it with an article)

Write the correct abbreviation or contraction for each sentence.

I would like to introduce _______ (that is) the main speaker for today's event.
Many countries, _______ (for example) Japan and South Korea, have high-speed rail networks.
The castle was built _______ (approximately) 1450.
According to Smith _______ (and others) (2020), this approach has several advantages.
Please bring your laptop, charger, notebook, _______ (and so forth) to the meeting.

Answers:

1. I would like to introduce i.e. the main speaker for today's event.

2. Many countries, e.g. Japan and South Korea, have high-speed rail networks.

3. The castle was built c. 1450.

4. According to Smith et al. (2020), this approach has several advantages.

5. Please bring your laptop, charger, notebook, etc. to the meeting.

Rewrite these sentences using appropriate abbreviations or contractions for the given context.

Context - Informal email: I am sorry I cannot attend the party. I have been feeling unwell.
Context - Academic paper: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has published a report on global literacy rates.
Context - Business letter: I am writing with reference to your inquiry dated 15 January 2025.
Context - Text message: I will meet you at the train station at 7 o'clock.
Context - Scientific report: The experiment was conducted using Computed Tomography scans to examine the internal structure.

Answers:

1. Informal email: I'm sorry I can't attend the party. I've been feeling unwell.

2. Academic paper: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has published a report on global literacy rates. (Then use UNESCO in subsequent mentions)

3. Business letter: I am writing with reference to your inquiry dated 15 Jan. 2025. (or keep the full form "January" - both are acceptable in formal business writing)

4. Text message: I'll meet you at the train station at 7.

5. Scientific report: The experiment was conducted using Computed Tomography (CT) scans to examine the internal structure. (Then use CT in subsequent mentions)

Key Points to Remember

Types of abbreviations:
- Acronyms (NASA, UNESCO) - pronounced as words
- Initialisms (BBC, FBI) - pronounced as individual letters
- Shortened words (exam, lab, Prof.)
Punctuation of abbreviations:
- Period usage varies between British and American English
- Modern style increasingly favors fewer periods
- Plurals of abbreviations generally add 's' without an apostrophe
Contractions:
- Use apostrophes to indicate omitted letters
- Avoid confusing contractions with possessives (it's/its, you're/your)
- Consider the formality level when deciding whether to use contractions
Latin abbreviations:
- e.g. (for example), i.e. (that is), etc. (and so forth)
- Use periods and follow with commas when in the middle of a sentence
- Don't confuse e.g. and i.e.
Academic writing:
- Follow the first mention rule for specialized abbreviations
- Use appropriate abbreviations in references and citations
- Avoid informal abbreviations in formal writing
Consistency: Be consistent with your style throughout your writing
Context awareness: Adjust your use of abbreviations and contractions based on the formality level required

Exam Tip!

In the ЕГЭ English exam, appropriate use of abbreviations and contractions contributes to your overall writing score. Remember:

Identify the formality level required by the task and adjust your use of contractions accordingly
For formal writing tasks (essays, formal letters, reports), avoid contractions and informal abbreviations
For informal writing tasks (personal emails, informal letters), use contractions naturally
Always be consistent with your level of formality throughout your writing
Proofread carefully, paying special attention to apostrophes and commonly confused words (its/it's, your/you're)
When using specialized abbreviations, write out the full term the first time it appears, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses
Use Latin abbreviations correctly and sparingly

Remember that while correct use of abbreviations and contractions is important, it's just one aspect of your writing. Focus on clear communication, appropriate vocabulary, and correct grammar as well.