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Do You Put a Period at the End of Jr.?

Published in Punctuation Rules 2 mins read

Yes, a period is typically used at the end of "Jr." This follows standard punctuation rules for abbreviations.

When writing names like John Smith Jr., the abbreviation "Jr." (for Junior) nearly always includes a period at its conclusion. This practice aligns with common style guides regarding the use of periods with abbreviations.

Understanding Periods in Abbreviations

The use of periods with abbreviations generally depends on their casing. A helpful guideline to remember is that periods are commonly applied to abbreviations that are either lowercase or a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. Conversely, periods are often omitted for abbreviations that consist entirely of uppercase letters.

Here’s a breakdown of common practices:

  • Mixed-case or Lowercase Abbreviations: These usually require a period.
    • Examples: a.m., p.m., etc., vol., Inc., Jr., Mrs., Tex.
  • All Uppercase Abbreviations: These typically do not require periods.
    • Examples: FBI, IRS, ATM, NATO, NBC, TX

Practical Examples

To illustrate, consider the following table:

Abbreviation Type Examples with Periods Examples without Periods
Mixed-Case / Lowercase Jr., Sr., Inc., Ltd., Mr., Mrs., Dr., Prof., Gen., a.m., p.m., etc., vol., fig. (Generally not applicable for this category)
All Uppercase (Generally not applicable for this category) FBI, IRS, ATM, NATO, NBC, USA, UK, PhD, CEO

Why This Style?

This stylistic choice helps distinguish abbreviations that might otherwise be confused with common words or simply makes them easier to read as abbreviated forms. For "Jr.," the period clearly signals that it is an abbreviation of "Junior" rather than an unrelated word.

When in doubt about a specific abbreviation, consulting a reputable style guide like the Chicago Manual of Style or the Associated Press Stylebook can provide definitive answers. Many online resources also offer guidance on grammar and punctuation, such as Purdue OWL's guide on abbreviations.