Abbreviations

This week we will learn how to use numbers, abbreviations and capital letters when writing. We will begin with abbreviations. 

What is an abbreviation?

An abbreviation is a shortened form of an existing word or phrase.

How do you use abbreviations?

1)   Abbreviate social titles like Mister, Mr.; Missus, Mrs.

2)   Abbreviate title of rank.
     Example: Col. Remi Ashton

Title	Abbreviation
Ambassador	Amb.
Doctor	Dr.
Colonel	Col.
Honourable	Hon.
Lieutenant	Lt.
Governor	Gov.
Major	Maj.
Lieutenant General	Lt. Gen.
Lieutenant Colonel	Lt. Col.
President	Pres.
Professor	Prof.
Representative	Rep.
Superintendent	Supt.

3)   Abbreviate time and dates.

     Examples: A.M. (ante meridian), P.M. (post meridian).

4)   Abbreviate earned degrees.

Degree	Abbreviation
Associate’s Degree	A.A.
Bachelor of Arts	B.A. or A.B.
Bachelor of Business Administration	B.B.A.
Bachelor of Science	B.S.
Masters of Arts	M.A.
Doctor of Philosophy	Ph.D.
Masters of Business Administration	M.B.A.
Masters of Science	M.S.
Medical Doctor	M.D.
Registered Nurse	R.N.

5)   Abbreviate some historical periods.

     Examples: B.C. (before the birth of Christ), A.D. (Anno Domini), C.E. (common era).

6)   Abbreviate geographical terms.

Place	Abbreviations
Avenue	Ave.
Building	Bldg.
Boulevard	Blvd.
County	Co.
District	Dist.
Drive	Dr.
Island	Is.
Province	Prov.
Road	Rd.
Territory	Terr.
Route	Rte.

Is There a Reason “the Reason Why” Is Considered Wrong?

Many well-meaning writers and editors condemn “the reason why” and “the reason is because” for the crime of redundancy. But that stance (or, at least, part of it) is shaky. “The reason is because” has no supporters, but “the reason why,” despite also being idiomatic, is ubiquitous even among highly respected writers.

Yes, “the reason why” and “the reason is because” are redundant — guilty as charged. In place of “I want to know the reason why you took my book,” one can write “I want to know the reason (that) you took my book,” “I want to know why you took my book,” or “I want to know your reason for taking my book.”

Instead of “The reason is because I thought it was mine,” one can write, “The reason is that I thought it was mine,” “The reason is, I thought it was mine,” “I took it because I thought it was mine,” or, simply, “I thought it was mine.” (“Because I thought it was mine” is acceptable in informal usage.)

“The reason why” has been used frequently throughout the history of Modern English as well as that of Middle English — all the way back to the 1200s. (However, “the reason is because” has no such pedigree.) Only in the twentieth century did prescriptivist grammarians begin to urge writers to, whenever possible, use “the reason that” (or one of the other alternatives mentioned above).

I will continue to avoid combining reason and why in my own writing but will forgive the combination when I am editing that of others — and, of course, it is correct when reason is a verb, rather than a noun, as in “to reason why” — and I will not tolerate “the reason is because” in any form. However, I’m puzzled by why one is accepted and the other isn’t.

In “the reason why,” why is a conjunction linking the noun reason to the phrase “you took my book.” (Equivalent usage includes the phrases “the place where” and “the time when.”) But because is a conjunction, too. And though language maven Bryan A. Garner approves of “the reason why” yet condemns “the reason is because,” a sample sentence in the entry for because in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, “The reason I haven’t been fired is because my boss hasn’t got round to it yet,” amuses me.

The dictionary uses the condemned redundancy in its example of usage of because. But it’s not the sentence that prompts my mirth; it’s the name of the source of the sample sentence: E. B. White, coauthor of the revered writing guide The Elements of Style.

-      Daily Writing Tips

My Initiation into Achebeism

By Samuel O. Adeyemi

Unlike everyone else, my initiation into the world of Prof. Chinua Achebe did not start with Things Fall Apart; neither did it start with A Man of the People, it started with reading the summary of Anthills of the Savannah.

As an Arts student in high school, Anthills of the Savannah was one of the recommended novels for my set. During that period, there was no money to buy all the recommended text books and novels; and not even the second-hand copies which are easily accessible and cheaper.

Not reading the recommended books is a guarantee for gallant failure! It was a catch22 situation!

As preparation for my exam moved into top gear, I got hold of the summary and digested it. Not quite long afterward, one of my colleagues bought all the recommended novels, plays and poems! I didn’t hesitate to get the books from him and devour it.

Having read the summary on several occasions, it was not hard to understand the plot and themes of Anthills of the Savannah.  Reading the original text served the purpose of broadening my knowledge of the book.

At that time, I used to read after school hours at Henry Carr Public Library, Iloro, Agege, Lagos. The library is a stone’s throw from my school. Though not properly and adequately stocked, I would go round the shelves each day and find some interesting books to read.

I read a number of books in that library. After my house, Henry Carr Library became my second home.

On a particular day, I came across Prof. Achebe’s A Man of the People on the shelf and immediately, I read it from cover to cover. After that, I moved to the next available one, Arrow of God.

In quick succession, with simplicity of language and rich proverbs, I was ushered into the world of Prof. Achebe!

As the curtains draw on the life of this great man of the people, I wish I had met him in flesh and blood!

In honour of this great man, I think the National Assembly and the Presidency should, as an urgent matter of national importance, declare his date of birth a day of literary appreciation in which Nigerians of all ages would have an opportunity to appreciate his life and works.

Also, if a monument is to be named after him, I think the national library should be named Prof. Chinua Achebe National Library. How does that sound? I think it sounds nice!

Samuel O. Adeyemi is a Journalist based in Lagos.

Note: These features reflect the writers' personal views and beliefs; they are not necessarily a specimen of The Ready Writers Consult's opinion.

What's Your Story?

Waiting for the rickety bus to deliver me to my destination, my delivery time was fast approaching. The walking dead bus forcefully stops; I climb in, walk close to the window and sit down. I stick my head out – I’m dreaming of a better life – a life flowing with the swiftness of dancing, the steadiness of peace, and simplicity of hope. I dream on. Absently, I turn my hilariously hanging head with hope, when she jumps in. She slowly slides and stiffens beside me, holding her son firmly on one leg and her gigantic bag on the other. I notice her hands. 

These big hands are sorely black, lined with use, squeezed from the wear and tear of hours and hours of work; strengthened by the weight of carriage, paled from the life of wash and ware.

I wonder, what’s her story? Did her husband treat her hands with care? They desperately needed his support. Her palms told me they had carried sons, daughters, chores and life itself. Her face, strangely, bore little evidence of time. She wore no colours on them – plain. No artefacts on her, except her eyes, which were adorned with courageous audacity – a desire to do all she could to survive.

She shuffles beside me, adjusting her weight on the chair and her bag filled with a juxtaposition of things for her life’s journey. “Was she leaving her husband?” she seemed ready to run a new race. Those wilful eyes, will me to ask her name, her story. Maybe show a little care.

Instead, I stare at my fresh arms, well moisturized and fragile, wondering with a little selfish fantasy. 

Curious, I look at her again. Her body cream hung to her skin with force – she shone, shiny black, glittering like the fake polish on her shoes. She stretches her arms filled with a N200 note. Surprisingly, her arms are free of smell, vehemently washed clean, “gba owo e” (take your money), she says to the bus conductor. He quickly grabs the money and places an old, scruffy note of N50 change in her palm. She looks at the note, a titbit unsure whether to accept it or give it back. “Should she demand for a better note, like she was demanding for a better life? She surely deserved better," the determination in her eyes seemed to be saying.

She had persevered through the trails and pain, the beatings and the shouts of anger. No more, she thought, her will was gone. 

She then decides to test her son’s will, looks at her leg and says, ‘oya, gba owo yi' (take this money).’  Her son inspects the money and condemns it, ‘oti sha, mi o fe (It is faded, I do not want).’  Innocence, innocence always wanted to have its way. Innocence was alive to possibilities and dreams. It fought for better; but time dried innocence’s wings and drained the energy to fight. Though, I hear the wise don’t let their fighting spirit die, they only choose their battles.

As she thinks, I think the word ‘faded’  fitted her demeanour. She had faded along her path to train her son, faded from the handling of a man, faded from the baggage of life.

The lady makes me wonder, 

Am I going to fade?

Are my arms going to wear out?

*********

“Conductor, change this money o.” She says with urgency and anger.

He looks at her with disgust, “I no get another one.”

“I do not want this money o.” She shouts with all her might and threw it at him.

He is taken aback, “wetin dey do this woman?” (What is wrong with this woman?)

He senses her anger, and decides to let her have her way. “Take,” he hands her another note. Yes! She deserved better, she stretches to take it.

***********

“Owa” she says, disembarks from the bus, grabs her son with one arm and her baggage with another. Everyone looks as she struggles with her baggage, her tears, but look the other way.

She gets down before I remember; I forgot to ask her name.

Really, what is her story?

***********

Authors note

He was despised and rejected –  a man of many sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way when He went by. He was despised and we did not care – Isaiah 53:3.

Daily, we meet people with different stories, but most times we are consumed with our own failings, that we forget to love those who are hurting or maybe just smile or make them laugh...

by Shally Ashimi

Shally writes... She hopes to challenge and affect just one person’s outlook, their perspective, how they view the world through her creative writings. You can view her blog, http://shallyashimi.blogspot.com and check her on twitter, Shally Ashimi (@sharley_babe).

Note: These features reflect the writers' personal views and beliefs; they are not necessarily a specimen of The Ready Writers Consult's opinion.

Thanks for reading.

Personal Responsibility: Bedrock for National Development

This week we would share stories written by TRW Consult's operatives (freelance and full-timers) on our blog.

*******

One of the easiest ways to gain popularity as a public analyst, social commentator or political observer in Nigeria today is to consistently harp on the ineptitude of the government and the resultant helplessness of the citizens. We blame the government for all our problems – insecurity, unemployment, high crime rate, ethnic violence, poor infrastructure, lack of basic amenities, dysfunctional educational system, failing health system and a host of others.

The vast majority of Nigerians are so disappointed with the government that they will readily utilise every platform to express their frustration; and really, who would blame them? Evidently, the government has consistently failed to fulfil the legitimate and most basic expectations of the citizens, such as the ones highlighted above – and that is very unfortunate.

The more unfortunate thing however, is that most of us have unconsciously submitted our lives and destinies to the government we claim not to believe in. We seem to have forgotten that the government will not run our lives for us. We have allowed poor performance on the part of the government to breed indifference in the way we live our lives and conduct our personal affairs. How many times have we failed to do what is right and blamed the consequences on the government?

We must realize that the most important things are not the things that the government will do for us. Many of us cannot sustain simple refined behaviour such as using the waste bin, staying on a queue, showing everyday courtesy and obeying traffic rules. We have not learned to nurture relationships and maintain disciplined lifestyles. A good number of us even find it difficult to flush the toilet after each use. Apparently, we expect the government to do that for us too. As outrageous as this may seem, those of us who have been at the receiving end know that it is true.

How many times have you crossed a neatly kept lawn instead of using the walkway? How many times have you thrown an empty can, bottle or sachet out of your car window instead of using the waste bin? How many times have you cheated in an examination or disobeyed traffic rules because no one is watching? How about crossing the highway on foot when the pedestrian bridge is available? Answering these questions and similar ones will help us assess our individual levels of personal responsibility. You see, personal responsibility is the most basic form of government and if we don’t get it right at this level, we cannot get it right at any level. It is true that the government has failed us, but should we continue to fail ourselves too? And really, who is the government, if not us?

It takes nothing to criticize, condemn and complain – anyone can do that. What if you decide instead, to make a difference in your own little way? You can fill up those gullies in your neighbourhood. You can raise funds to rebuild that run-down facility. You can volunteer your services to those disadvantaged students. You are not helpless; there is always something you can do. Desmond Tutu said it well, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good that come together to overwhelm the world.” Now, read that again and think about it. You see, there is no better time than now to be a Nigerian; because in pitch darkness, even the faintest glimmer of light makes a world of difference. Stop complaining about the darkness and start shining your light.

God bless you. God bless Nigeria.

 by Philip Amiola

 

Philip Amiola is a teacher, writer and campaigner of empowerment. He’s passionate about living out God’s script for his life and helping others do the same. He tweets @Dermatoglyphics.

Note: These features reflect the writers' personal views and beliefs; they are not necessarily a specimen of The Ready Writers Consult's opinion.