Common Latin Abbreviations

Your writing, at its best.

Be the best writer in your office

Common Latin Abbreviations

Use small letters and periods for most abbreviations of Latin terms. Common Latin expression like those listed here are not normally underlined or italicized. They are usually used in bibliographies, footnotes, lists, and references.

In standard writing, use the English equivalent or write out the whole word.

They are usually underlined or italicized in formal references, notes, and bibliographies.

Abbreviation Equivalent
c., ca. circa, about, around
e.g. for example
et al. et alii, and the others
etc. et cetera and so on, note the spelling
et seq. and the following (usually pages)
f. and the next page
ff. and the following pages
i.e. id est, that is
N.B. Nota Bene, note well (capitalize)
op. opus, work (of art)
q.v. which see
v. see
v., vs. versus
viz. vidilicet, namely

Correct: Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1399)
Incorrect: Geoffrey Chaucer was born c. 1343.
(Standard sentence, not a reference–write out the word or use the English equivalent.)

Correct: Geoffrey Chaucer was born circa 1343.

Correct: Geoffrey Chaucer was born about 1343.

Bonus tip:  Want to make sure your writing always looks great? editorr can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites. 

Get More Writing Tips Here!

We have compiled hundreds of writing tips. Check them out!

SHARE THIS POST

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Want more writing tips?