eg, etc and ie
These Latin abbreviations can cause readability problems.
- In external facing communications, avoid using abbreviations such as ‘eg’, ‘ie’, and ‘etc’. As well as slowing readers down, ‘eg’ can sometimes be read aloud as ‘egg’ by screen reading software.
- Instead of ‘eg’ use: for example, for instance, such as, like or including.
- ‘etc’ - avoid using.
- ‘ie’ - used to clarify a sentence. Rewrite the sentence where possible to avoid the need to use it. If that isn’t possible, use an alternative such as meaning or that is.
ellipses - a series of dots (…)
- Only use 3 dots.
- Don’t add an extra dot if a new sentence follows them.
- Following a word, do not have a space, eg and suddenly…
- Before a word, include a space, eg it was finished… or so he thought.
em and en dashes
e-learning
- With hyphen
email addresses
See Addresses