Building Chicago-style strength

This workout centers on paragraphs 10.1–10.12 in CMOS 18. (Subscribers to The Chicago Manual of Style Online may click through to the linked sections of the Manual. We also offer a 30-day free trial of CMOS Online.)

Remember: The workouts are all about Chicago! If you’re an expert in MLA, AP, or New York Times style, you might be surprised to find that your instincts don’t quite match Chicago’s. That doesn’t mean your answer is necessarily “wrong”—it just means it isn’t Chicago style.

Note: In this quiz, as in the Manual, the word abbreviation may also refer to initialisms, acronyms, and contractions.

Now updated to refer and link to the 18th edition.

Chicago Style Workout 3: Abbreviations Overview

1. All abbreviations must be spelled out on first occurrence.

True

False

2. Periods are used after initials standing for given names: E. B. White.

True

False

3. Periods are omitted in an entire name replaced by initials: JFK.

True

False

4. Space is usually left between abbreviated words, unless an abbreviated word is used in combination with a single-letter abbreviation: Dist. Atty. but S.Dak.

True

False

5. TGIF (thank God it’s Friday)

Chicago style

The words “thank” and “it’s” should be capitalized.

6. S&P 500

Chicago style

There should be a space before and after the ampersand.

7. a AA meeting

Chicago style

Not Chicago style

8. AHD (American Heritage Dictionary)

Chicago style

The abbreviation should be in regular text, not italics.

9. An abbreviation should never begin a sentence.

True

False

10. B.A., M.D., Ph.D.

Chicago style

Not Chicago style

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Photo: George Arents Collection, New York Public Library Digital Collections, Exercise 23: Wrist Exercise.

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