Lesson 338

Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

Special abbreviations or initials need a period. Example: C.O.D. (cash on delivery) (Many abbreviations and acronyms, especially government agencies, now do not use periods and the abbreviations may be found written in several forms. Example: miles per hour = mph, m.p.h., Mph, MPH) For our purposes we will use periods with abbreviations to be consistent.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. I will send the package C O D to M I T

I will send the package C.O.D. to M.I.T.

2. The soldier got lost returning to base but was considered A W O L

The soldier got lost returning to base but was considered A.W.O.L.

3. Dr Hill is really a D D S

Dr. Hill is really a D.D.S.

4. U S S R no longer exists since it has been divided into several smaller countries.

U.S.S.R. no longer exists since it has been divided into several smaller countries.

5. I want to join the U S N and become a Marine.

I want to join the U.S.N. and become a Marine.

Note: When a period is used for an abbreviation or some other reason at the end of the sentence, you do not need a second one to end the sentence. The one period does double duty.