Learn English – Is the second period necessary after an abbreviation

abbreviationsacronymsinitialismsperiod

Which one of the following is correct?

  1. only in the continental U.S.A. For all other countries…

  2. only in the continental U.S.A.. For all other countries…

I am not sure if I need two periods after "U.S.A." or just the one.

Best Answer

The general consensus seems to be that there is never an acceptable use of two sequential periods. A period at the end of an abbreviation is adequate punctuation when a period would end the sentence naturally. If any punctuation mark other than a period is needed, that may be added. Similarly, within a sentence, as when a comma would be appropriate, that may be added.

Related Topic