Reply
Mon 30 Jun, 2003 02:25 pm
I think the subject entry covered it... Here's my question, and example...
I'm preparing to publish several profiles of tropical freshwater and saltwater fish. (There's a good question right there - Is it properly spelled/stated "freshwater" or " fresh water" ? Would it be one word if it's a title?) When coming up with a standard specification table for each profile page, I ran across a punctuation issue that I am unclear about.
When using a colon in a table catogory, How would an abbreviation be handled?
This is my information table:
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Avg. Max Size:
Min. Tank Size:
Range:
Temperture:
Reef Compatability:
I want to abbreviate the words "Temperture" and "Compatability" here, but " Temp.: " doesn't look right, nor does " Temp. : " Should the period be left out all together?
I'd go with Temp.:
And it's temperature, by the way, not temperture.
Hi Harmonic,
Welcome to a2k. According to the dictionary, freshwater is one word.
As for abbreviations, you need to be consistent. If you choose to use periods, then you must use them for all abbreviations--so you need to add one to Max. (I suggest you use periods. Just one person's opinion.)
There is no space--ever--between the period in an abbreviation and any punctuation that follows, whether it be a colon, a comma, a semicolon, etc.
Hope this helps.
Ooops. Forgot to answer the question in the subject line.
You shouldn't abbreviate in titles and headings. It's ok to abbreviate in lists and tables because space is usually an issue.
I think I've answered all your questions. I hope.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace