Common Latin Abbreviations in English
Latin may be a dead language, but did you know that there are still quite a few Latin abbreviations we still use everyday in the English language?
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a.m.
Latin: ante meridiem
Translation: before midday
Usage: to indicate times during the morning (before noon, 12 p.m.)
Example: My first class of the day starts at 9 a.m.
p.m.
Latin: post meridiem
Translation: after midday
Usage: To indicate times during the afternoon (starting at noon, 12 p.m.)
Example: I can meet you for dinner at 6 p.m.
ca. / c.
Latin: circa
Translation: around, about, approximately
Usage: Used with dates to indicate “approximately”
Example: The vases found in the attic is from ca. 1800.
et al.
Latin: et alii, et alia, et alibi
Translation: and others, and co-workers, and other things, and other places
Usage: Used to indicate other people (prefferred over “etc.”). Most commonly used in academic citations when the published work is written by multiple authors.
Example: The published article was written by David Jones et al.
etc.
Latin: et cetera
Translation: and the others, and other things, and the rest
Usage: Used at the end of a list to indicate other and similar items are included. Refers to objects, not people.
Example: I need to go to the mall and buy some new shirts, skirts, pants, etc.
e.g.
Latin: exempli gratia
Translation: for example, for instance
Usage: Used to introduce an, or multiple, examples. Must be followed by a comma: e.g.,
If the e.g. phrase appears within another sentence, enclose it with parentheses () or commas (,) as long as what follows after e.g. does not form an independent clause.
If the e.g. phrase appears at the end of the sentence, enclose it with parentheses () or commas (,). But if the e.g. phrase introduces an indpendent clause (complete sentence), use a semicolon (;).
Example:
We’ve had many interesting pets over the last few years, e.g., chinchillas, guinea pigs, and parrots.
There are some ingredients that every kitchen needs (e.g., cooking oil, salt, and pepper).
The public pool is closed when the weather conditions are poor; e.g, a thunderstorm is approaching.
i.e.
Latin: id est
Translation: that is, in other words
Usage: Used to restate or clarify information or a previous statement. Must be followed by a comma: i.e.,
If by using i.e. an independent clause (complete sentence) is formed, use a semicolon (;) to join the two independent clauses.
If the i.e. independent clause falls within another sentence, use either parentheses () or dashes (—) to surround the i.e. independent clause.
Example:
The store decided to give every customer a discount; i.e., 25 percent.
My usual coffee order (i.e., a hot cappuccino with oat milk) tasted weird today.
sic
Latin: sic erat scriptum
Translation: thus it was written
Usage: To indicate that something incorrectly written was written as is, and is being intentionally left as it was written. (Usually in brackets, often italicized.)
Example: She wrote in her article, “They made there [sic] own beds this morning.”
**”There” should have been written as “their.” But because of the [sic] indication, we know that it was intentionally left written incorrectly.
vs. / v.
Latin: versus
Translation: against
Usage: “Against” (in sports or legal use), or as opposed to
Example:
The Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls basketball game today was an exciting one to watch!
In the Roe v. Wade court case, the Supreme Court established a woman’s legal right to an abortion.
lb. (singular) / lbs. (plural)
Latin: libra
Translation: scales
Usage: To indicate the pound (a unit of mass)
Example: We are having many guests over for dinner today; we need 5lbs. of meat.
M.O.
Latin: modus operandi
Translation: method of operating
Usage: A particular way or method of doing something. In criminology, M.O. refers to a criminal’s method of operation.
Example: Jack the Ripper’s m.o. is so recognizable, and yet the Ripper himself was never caught or identified; his crimes remain unsolved.
N.B.
Latin: nota bene
Translation: note well
Usage: Used to emphasize an important point or call special attention to something. Usually written in upper case, or capital, letters: N.B.
Example: The plane will depart at exactly 10 a.m. tomorrow. N.B.: Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
per cent.
Latin: per centum
Translation: for each one hundred
Usage: Today, it is commonly known as “percent,” symbolized by %
Example: That university has a 23 percent acceptance rate.
