Capitalization of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations
Rulebase Summary
Use a standard dictionary to determine the correct capitalization of an abbreviation. When the letters stand for a proper name, capitalize the abbreviation. Capitalize acronyms (abbreviations pronounced as words) unless the dictionary shows them otherwise. Some acronyms have become ordinary words and are transcribed in lowercase as regular dictionary entries.
Examples
A. The fda is handling the investigation.
A. The FDA is handling the investigation.
Abbreviation for a proper name is capitalized.
A. He was buying all new SCUBA gear.
A. He was buying all new scuba gear.
Acronym that has become a standard word is lowercase per the dictionary.
Transcript Notes
An abbreviation is considered an acronym only when it is commonly pronounced as a word by the people who use it — not just because it can be. Some acronyms have become standard words and appear in the dictionary as lowercase entries.
Style Guide References (5)
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
Morson's
Morson's