Is the second period necessary after an abbreviation?

Question

Which one of the following is correct?

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

Welcome to the site. The answer depends on which style guide you follow. See http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/8382/when-etc-is-at-the-end-of-a-phrase-do-you-place-a-period-after-it and http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/711/punctuation-around-abbreviations . — choster, Aug 27 '13 at 19:16
@choster I'm not aware of any style guide that permits a double period in this situation, and I didn't notice any in those other questions. — Bradd Szonye, Aug 27 '13 at 23:29

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 27 '13 at 20:53

6

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.

answered Aug 27 '13 at 20:53

John M. Landsberg

8,025

Thanks John ! That's what I thought, but wanted to make sure !! – xsimix Aug 27 '13 at 21:33

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 27 '13 at 22:05

4

III. only in the continental USA. For all other countries...

avoids the awkward lack of consistency of (1) and the awkward style of (2) - and is correct

(The United States of America (USA or U.S.A.)... : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States

answered Aug 27 '13 at 22:05

Edwin Ashworth

83,272

Is the second period necessary after an abbreviation?

2 Answers2