use of abbrev. period

Linemoves

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Dec 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/28/98

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How would you handle an abbreviation period ending a sentence when you want the
reader to be aware that the period is essential to the word it follows.

Jack Moore

George F. Hardy

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Dec 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/28/98

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Just one period. If you feel that the meaing of the sentence is
compromised, rephrase it.

GFH

Elayne Benson

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Dec 28, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/28/98

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Linemoves wrote:

> How would you handle an abbreviation period ending a sentence when you want the
> reader to be aware that the period is essential to the word it follows.
>

> Jack Moore

Recast the sentence.

afar...@trump.net.au

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Dec 29, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/29/98

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In article <19981228100418...@ng16.aol.com>,

line...@aol.com (Linemoves) wrote:
> How would you handle an abbreviation period ending a sentence when you want the
> reader to be aware that the period is essential to the word it follows.
>
> Jack Moore

I would always recast a sentence to avoid an akwardness or amgibuity --
especially one such as you describe -- and I don't think there is any other
alternative.

However, the world is a big place, and it is full of ingenious Irish and
Australian people; so, I suppose anything is possible ...

Regards,

AF.

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NTM

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Dec 30, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/30/98

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Don't use the abbriviation or recast the sentence.

Happy New Year

kil...@hotmail.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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This might be a cop-out, but I'd rearrange the sentence so the abbreviated
word wasn't the last one.

Matt Kilcast

afar...@trump.net.au

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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In article <76fgkn$cor$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,

kil...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>
> This might be a cop-out, but I'd rearrange the sentence so the abbreviated
> word wasn't the last one.

THAT is no cop-out: it is called writing English. There is no sentence that
cannot be recast; no thought that cannot be syntictically rearranged to make
an intended point. Your gut insight is completely right.

AF.

jan...@mailexcite.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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Linemoves wrote:
>
> How would you handle an abbreviation period ending a sentence when you want the
> reader to be aware that the period is essential to the word it follows.
>
> Jack Moore

What's the sentence? Recasting is fine, but I don't think I
would use an abbreviation with a period in a sentence at all.
Is this something that should be set aside in quotation marks?

jane

spectre

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Jan 4, 1999, 3:00:00 AM1/4/99

to Linemoves

I ran into this same question while working for a year as a typesetter. I set it
one way (one period) after looking it up in the typesetting style guide that we
had settled on as our reference-- then was criticized by readers who came bearing
their own style guides that prescribed two periods in that situation! (That's what
you get when you typeset university publications-- most complaints came from
professors, mostly from the English Dept.).

I agree with others who have written that it's a cop out to just avoid this issue.
(Ever seen undergrads try to avoid all kinds of perfectly simple dilemmas through
this same tactic?) But as a practical matter, it makes sense. Damned if you do,
damned if you don't-- better off just avoiding the whole mess, if you can.