2．Abbreviations缩略语

As with all the other tools of writing，abbreviations are indeed helpful，especially in busi-ness writing．But abbreviations should not be used if there is the slightest chance that they will cause confusion．

缩略语在商务英语写作中尤为常见，但是在容易引起混淆的情况下却不宜使用。

Abbreviations to Use使用缩略语的情况

The following abbreviations are accepted in most business as well as general writing．

以下是一些较普遍的使用原则。

a．With Personal Names

Mr．/Messrs．　Mrs．/Mmes．　Ms．/Mses．

Dr．　Jr．　Sr．

B．A．　M．A．　Ph．D．

b．Within Firm Names

Abbreviations in firm names:If the firms show such abbreviations—Ltd．and Inc．following firm names，use＆in place of and only if the firm uses it．

如果公司名称中包含Ltd．和Inc．等缩略语，当公司名称中还出现and时，可以使用＆代替它。

Lester Lumber，Co．　R．Orien＆Son，Inc．

Stone Builders，Inc．　Helicopters，Ltd．

c．With Time Elements

33 B．C．　A．D．1900　8:00 A．M．(a．m．)　5:30 P．M．(p．m．)

d．Organization Names

Letters used in place of complete names of various well-known organizations，either government or private．They are often written without periods．Radio and television station letters are not abbreviations;they are called letters and are written in all capitals without periods．

一些著名的政府或民间私营的机构通常采用首字母缩合的形式，中间也无需句号（圆点）隔开。电台、电视台名称则直接以缩写字母表示。

UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

AT＆T American Telephone and Telegraph

IBM International Business Machines

e．Business Terms

Such commonly used business terms as those listed below are frequently abbreviated，especially in lists，invoices，memos and reports．

一些常见的商业术语，尤其是在目录、发票、备忘录及商业报告中，一般也采用缩略形式。

COD cash on delivery

PR public relations

FOB free on board

R＆D research and development

Abbreviations to Avoid避免使用缩略语的情况

The following items generally are not abbreviated in business writing．These are guidelinesonly，for usage does vary．

下列一些关于缩略的法则仅供参考。

a．Titles when used with surnames only．When a title precedes a complete name，usage varies．

单单和姓氏连用的头衔通常不用缩略。

Professor Tyler　Governor Brown

b．Days，Months，and Seasons

日期、月份和季节一般也不用缩略。

Avoid:The 31st of Jan．is a Fri．

Use:The 31st of January is a Friday．

c．Names of streets，avenues，boulevards，courts，and other such designations

街区、大道、庭院等标识中一般不用缩略。

614 Center Boulevard　213 Spring Street

d．Foreign Addresses

Brussel，Belgium　Birmingham，England

e．Weights and Measurements

Avoid:oz．，min．，lbs．

Use:ounces，minutes，pounds

Forming Plurals复数

Plurals of abbreviations are formed in a number of ways:

a．In most instances s is added to the singular form

多数情况下缩略词后加“s”便构成其复数形式

yr．/yrs．　No．/Nos．

b．Some abbreviations are the same form for both singular and plural

少数缩略语单复数形式一样

ft．—foot/feet　min．—minute/minutes

c．If the abbreviation consists of letters with internal punctuation，the plural is formed by adding an apostrophe and-s

个别缩略语中已有圆点标识，其复数形式为's

M．D．'s　C．O．D．'s

d．Some single-letter abbreviations double the letters for the plural form

个别单字母的缩略语通过双写该字母形成复数

p．—page/pp．—pages