✨ Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes: Sentence After an Abbreviation
Sometimes we use abbreviations in our writing. An abbreviation is a short way of writing a word or phrase, like a.m. for “in the morning” or p.m. for “in the evening.”
But here’s a common mistake: after an abbreviation that ends with a period (.), we might forget that the next word could be the start of a new sentence. If it is, the next word must begin with a capital letter.
❌ Mistake: Forgetting to Capitalize After an Abbreviation
If you continue writing without capitalizing, it looks like one long sentence, even though it should be two.
Example (Wrong):
- She arrived at 7 a.m. then left.
👉 This looks like one sentence, but “Then” should start a new sentence.
✅ Quick Fix: Capitalize the Next Sentence
Always check: if the word after the abbreviation begins a new sentence, capitalize it.
Example (Correct):
- She arrived at 7 a.m. Then she left.
🧾 More Examples
Wrong:
- He finished at 5 p.m. then went home.
- We met at 10 a.m. and had breakfast.
- The train leaves at 6 p.m. it arrives at 9 p.m.
Correct:
- He finished at 5 p.m. Then went home.
- We met at 10 a.m. And had breakfast.
- The train leaves at 6 p.m. It arrives at 9 p.m.
🧩 Practice Sentences
Try fixing these:
- wrong: She woke up at 6 a.m. went to school. fix: She woke up at 6 a.m. Went to school.
- wrong: The party starts at 8 p.m. everyone is invited. fix: The party starts at 8 p.m. Everyone is invited.
- wrong: We arrived at 11 a.m. stayed until 2 p.m. fix: We arrived at 11 a.m. Stayed until 2 p.m.
🔄 American vs. British English Differences
The capitalization rule is the same in both American and British English:
- Always capitalize the first word of a new sentence, even if it comes after an abbreviation.
The only difference is in the style of abbreviations:
- American English: uses a.m. / p.m. with periods.
- Example: 7 a.m., 5 p.m.
- British English: often uses am / pm without periods.
- Example: 7 am, 5 pm
Example:
- American English: She arrived at 7 a.m. Then she left.
- British English: She arrived at 7 am. Then she left.
👉 Notice that the abbreviation style changes, but the capitalization rule stays the same.
🎯 Summary
- After an abbreviation, check if a new sentence begins.
- If yes → capitalize the first word.
- American English uses a.m. / p.m. with periods.
- British English often uses am / pm without periods.
- Capitalization rules are the same in both styles.