Everyday Latin Abbreviations Used in English
Latin has had a big influence on the English language. For example, many scientific and legal words are purely Latin, but even "regular" English words have Latin roots.
In fact, even abbreviations that English speakers use every day come from Latin. This article will take a look at a few of them and provide some useful examples so you can see how to use them yourself.
Common Latin Abbreviations in Everyday English
etc.
This comes from the Latin term "et cetera," meaning "and other things" or "and the rest." It usually comes at the end of a sentence and refers to additional things that are similar to what was just mentioned.
I'm learning how to bake cookies, pies, cupcakes, etc.
We packed a lot for our camping trip: tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, etc.
Remember that etc. is only used for things. In written English,"et al." — another Latin abbreviation that means "and others" — refers to people. It's most common in academic writing when referring to additional authors.
This data was first presented in an essay by Tanaka et al.
Related article: Are There Other Ways to Say "Etc."?
CV
"CV" is short for "curriculum vitae," which means "course of life."
A CV is similar to a résumé, and sometimes the two are used interchangeably.* However, a CV is usually longer and includes more information about a person's education and interests, not only their skills and work experience.
CVs are more common in the UK, while résumés are more common in the US.
The salary isn't high, but this job experience will look great on my CV.
To apply for the position, please send your CV along with a cover letter by email.
Related article: How Are UK and US Communication Styles Different?
i.e.
"i.e." comes from the Latin "id est," meaning "that is." Use it when you want to explain something you've just mentioned or to say something in a slightly different way.
We need a real pro for this job, i.e., someone with at least 10 years of experience.
*"CV" and "résumé" are sometimes used interchangeably, i.e., either word can be used without changing a sentence's meaning.
You can use i.e. when speaking, but it's more common in writing. When speaking, people often say "in other words" instead.
Make sure you arrive on time — in other words, before 5 o'clock.
e.g.
"e.g." is also mostly used in written English. It's an abbreviation of "exempli gratia," which means "for example." Use it before giving an example of something you've just mentioned.
The band is scheduled to perform in several cities throughout Asia, e.g., Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok.
We accept many kinds of payment, e.g., cash, credit card and bank transfer.
a.m./p.m.
Have you ever thought about what these abbreviations are short for?
"a.m" stands for "ante meridiem," while "p.m." stands for "post meridiem." These translate into English as "before midday" and "after midday," respectively. Simple, right?
Our business hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
When it's 12 p.m. in Osaka, it's 3 a.m. in London.
PS
The "PS" you sometimes see at the end of a letter or email comes from the Latin phrase "post scriptum," meaning "written after."
Sincerely, Jun
PS - Please water my plants while I'm away!
Ph.D.
"Ph.D." is short for "Philosophiae Doctor," or "Doctor of Philosophy." Ph.D.s are very high-level degrees that require many years of study.
This term is commonly used both with and without periods.
Bruce has a Ph.D. in physics and biology. He's very intelligent.
It can also be used as a noun to refer to a person who has this degree.
Surprisingly, she's a PhD even though she's so young.
vs.
This abbreviation is pronounced "versus" and is sometimes written the same way. It means "against," and you probably know it very well if you like sports, video games or almost any kind of competition.
The final World Cup 2022 match was Argentina vs. France.
We're going to watch Alien vs. Predator for our next movie night.
In legal cases, this abbreviation is shortened to just "v."
The Roe v. Wade decision is one of the most famous court cases in the US.
sic
The Latin word "sic" translates into English as "thus."
When quoting someone, "[sic]" indicates that the person's words are being shown exactly as they were said or written, including errors or things that may seem like errors. This is only used in written English.
"Going by train is faster then [sic] going by bus."
Related article: "Then" and "Than": What's the Difference?
ca.
This is short for the Latin word "circa," which means "about" or "approximately."
We use this abbreviation when discussing dates far in the past that we aren't exactly sure about. In spoken English, people simply say "circa."
Experts believe these historical documents were written ca. 1800.
Latin is Everywhere
Latin abbreviations in English are more common than many people realize. However, English includes words from many different languages, so perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising!
PS - Do you want to practice using these abbreviations yourself? Book a lesson with an Engoo tutor and give it a try in a private lesson!
