OECD Style Guide (Fourth Edition)

1. Abbreviations, acronyms and signs

Abstract

Abbreviations and acronyms are commonly used in both formal and informal writing to increase readability and conciseness. However, improper use can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

General rules

• An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase (Prof for Professor or etc. for et cetera).

• An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a phrase (OECD, EU). Acronyms can be pronounced letter by letter (OECD) or as a word (NATO).

• Lists of common abbreviations are provided below.

See also: Bibliographical references, citations and notes; Country and territory names, codes and currencies, and territorial disclaimers; Dates and time; Numbers and units of measure; The OECD and other international organisations; Translation and terms in other languages.

Abbreviations and acronyms

Do

✔ Always spell out the full form of a term on the first use in a document followed by the abbreviation or acronym in parentheses. Once introduced, use the abbreviation or acronym consistently throughout the text.

✔ Always double check that the acronym is correct, referring to that used by the source institution or entity.

✔ Use abbreviations and acronyms that are well known to your audience. If you have many, or if you must use lesser-known ones for technical terms, provide a list of definitions.

✔ Only use abbreviations or acronyms in figures, infographics and tables if space constraints are significant. Ensure that those used are explained in the surrounding text on first usage.

✔ Use uppercase letters without full stops for acronyms, whether they are pronounced as a word (NATO) or read letter by letter (OECD).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) launched the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 1997. More than 80 countries participated in PISA in 2023.

✔ For acronyms originating from another language, use the widely accepted English name in full and include the original name and acronym in parentheses. If the term is used frequently in the text, consider adding a list of all acronyms and abbreviations and use the original acronym in the text.

The National Digital Strategy Office (Coordinación de la Estrategia Digital Nacional, CEDN)

✔ Use the “©” symbol when noting the copyright of an image or photo (© Author name/Image bank name): © J. Smith/Shutterstock.com.

✔ Use “the” before an acronym only if it is read letter by letter (“the UN” but “UNESCO” or “ESA” not “the ESA”).

Don’t

✘ Overuse acronyms and abbreviations; only introduce them if a term occurs frequently.

✘ Invent abbreviations or use non-standard ones.

✘ Use full stops (periods) in common abbreviations and acronyms unless they are part of a formal name or established convention.

✘ Use an apostrophe when pluralising acronyms.

✘ Use “the” before the acronym if it is being used as an adjective (OECD experts agreed…).

🙁 There are many IO’s in the UN system (W.H.O.).

🙂 There are many IOs in the UN system (the WHO).

✘ Abbreviate months or days of the week in full text, titles or subtitles; only abbreviate in figures, infographics or tables if space is limited.

Commonly used abbreviations, signs and symbols

Academic writing

cf.	compare or refer to
e.g.	for example
ed., eds.	editor, editors
etc.	et cetera
et al.	and others
i.e.	that is to say
max.	maximum
min.	minimum
NB	nota bene
ibid.	Ibidem
n.d.	no date
No.	number
op.	opus
op. cit.	opus citatum
p.	page
pp.	pages
P.S.	post scriptum (appears before text added below the signature of a letter)
Q	quarter (unit of time equal to three months)
Vol.	volume
vs.	versus

Contracted titles

Dr, Drs	Doctor, Doctors
Prof	Professor
Mr, Ms, Mx	Honorifics to be placed before the last name: Mr for men, Ms for women, Mx for those who do not wish to use a gender-specific honorific

See also: Full stop (period).

Statistics

..	missing value
n.a.	not available
x	not applicable
0	nil or negligible
|	break in series
c	confidential data
e	estimated value
f	forecast value
p	provisional data

Symbols and mathematical signs

 

~	approximately
*	asterisk
@	“at” sign
÷	division
=	equal
>	greater than
#	hashtag
<	less than
+	plus
-	minus
×	multiplication

Note: Always place a non-breaking space before and after the symbols and signs in this table, except for “at” signs, asterisks and hashtags.

Key differences between English and French

 

English	French
The full form of an acronym in English always uses title case. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)	The full form of an acronym in French always uses sentence case. Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE)
A lowercase “s” can be added to an acronym in English when it refers to a plural term. About 70% of international trade involves global value chains (GVCs).	Acronyms never take an “s” in French; they are invariable. Environ 70 % des échanges internationaux mobilisent des chaînes de valeur mondiales (CVM).
The “N” in “number” is in upper case while the “o” is in lower case and followed by a full stop (No. 59).	The “n” in “numéro” is in lower case and the “o” in “numéro” is styled in superscript (no 59).
The abbreviation for “volume” is written with an upper case “V” (Vol. 6).	The abbreviation for “volume” is written with a lower case “v” (vol. 6).
The abbreviation for “edition” can be singular or plural (ed. or eds.).	The abbreviation for “edition” must include the accent on the “e” (éd.).