We explain the difference between abbreviations and acronyms and you’ll learn some commonly used abbreviations and acronyms that sometimes confuse learners of English.

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What’s the difference between an abbreviation and an acronym?

Abbreviations
Inc – incorporated
Jr – junior
est – established
qty – quantity
Intro – introduction
app – application (software)
Co – company / county
Attn – for the attention of
Dep/Dept – department
appt – appointment
wifi – wireless fidelity
Ltd – limited company
masc – masculine / fem – feminine
Re – with reference to
Ref – reference (number)
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,… Aug, Sep/Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec – months
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun – days

Acronyms – examples in alphabetical order
AGM – Annual General Meeting
AI – Artificial intelligence
AIRC – Aprender Inglés con Reza y Craig
AKA – Also known as
ASAP – as soon as possible
ATM – automated teller machine (Am. English – cash dispenser, Br. English – cashpoint)
AWOL – Absent without leave (he’s gone AWOL again!)
BA – Bachelor of Arts / BSc – Bachelor of Science / BSocSc – Bachelor of Social Science
BTW – By the way
BYO(B) – bring our own (bottle)
B2B – Business to Business / B2C – Business to Consumer
cc – carbon copy / copy to / Bcc – blind carbon copy
CEO – Chief Executive Officer / CFO – Chief Financial Officer / CMO – Chief Marketing Officer / COB – Chairman Of the Board
COD – cash on delivery
DIY – do it yourself (DIY and Home Improvement https://inglespodcast.com/182 )
DM – direct message
DOA – dead on arrival
DOB – Date of birth
EFL – English as a Foreign Language / ESL – English as a Second Language
eg – exempli gratia (Latin – for example)
ETA – estimated time of arrival
FAQ – frequently asked questions
FOMO – fear of missing out / YOLO – you only live once!
FYI – for your information
GDP – gross domestic product
ie – id est (Latin – in other words)
LLP – Limited Liability Partnership
MA – Master of Arts / MSc – Master of Science / MSocSc – Master of Social Science
MD – Medical Doctor
NB – Nota Bene (Latin – it is important to note)
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization
OG – Original gangster
OMG – Oh My God!
OTT – over the top (exaggerated)
PA – personal assistant / public address (system)
p.a. – per annum (Latin – per year)
PhD – Philosophical Doctor
Plc – public limited company
P.S. – post scriptum (Latin – in Spanish posdata P.D.)
RIP – Rest in peace
ROI – Return on Investment / Republic of Ireland
R&D – research and development
R&I – research and innovation
UK – United Kingdom
UN – United Nations
USA – United States of America
USP – Unique Selling Point
VIP – very important person
WHO – World Health Organization

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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On next week’s episode: Friendship

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