Quick Answer
There are differing opinions on whether a period should be used after the abbreviation “DR” for drive. Some style guides advise leaving the period off, while others recommend including it. Ultimately, consistency is most important – choose one format and stick with it throughout a document.
Overview
The abbreviation “DR” stands for “drive” and is commonly used in mailing addresses to indicate the name of a street or road. For example:
123 Main DR
The debate around punctuation for this abbreviation focuses on whether a period should follow the letters “DR” or not.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding which format to use:
Style Guide Recommendations
Some major style guides provide guidance on “DR” abbreviation punctuation:
– AP Style – This guide advises leaving periods off of most two-letter abbreviations, including DR.
– Chicago Manual of Style – Recommends leaving periods off of abbreviations like DR.
– MLA Style – Suggests omitting periods from abbreviations like DR.
So the majority of major style guides lean towards leaving the period off of “DR.”
Consistency Within a Document
Whichever format you choose, it’s important to be consistent throughout a single document. Mixing “DR” and “DR.” within the same text can look sloppy and be confusing for readers. Pick one style and stick with it.
Personal Preference
If you aren’t following a particular style guide, personal preference comes into play. Some people prefer including the period because it signals an abbreviation, while others find it unnecessary visual clutter.
Arguments For Leaving Period Off of DR
Here are some of the main arguments in favor of writing “DR” without a period:
Reflects Current Trends
Contemporary usage guides and style manuals largely recommend leaving the period off of “DR” for drive. Omitting the period aligns with the preferred format in today’s writing standards.
Consistent With Other Abbreviations
Many common address abbreviations also don’t use periods, including St, Ave, Blvd, and Ln. Using “DR” without a period matches the format of surrounding abbreviations.
Prevents Visual Clutter
Some find the period after “DR” to be unnecessary visual clutter. Leaving it off creates a cleaner look, especially when multiple address abbreviations are used together.
Reflects Practical Usage
In informal writing, it’s now common to see “DR” without a period. Omitting it reflects the practical reality of how the abbreviation is often used.
Arguments For Including Period After DR
Here are some reasons why you may want to include a period after “DR”:
Signals Abbreviation
The period makes it clear “DR” is an abbreviated form, not a word itself. This can aid reader comprehension.
Consistent With Some Other Abbreviations
Some style guides and writers prefer periods for all capital letter abbreviations, including Mr., Ms., and Dr. Using “DR.” matches this format.
Prevents Confusion With Other Meanings
“DR” has multiple meanings besides drive, like “doctor.” The period clarifies it as an abbreviation.
Follows Traditional Rules for Abbreviations
Traditionally, most abbreviations took periods. Some prefer following this conventional rule when using “DR.”
Conclusion
When deciding whether to put a period after “DR,” here are some key tips:
– Check any relevant style guides you are following for their guidelines.
– Be consistent within a single document – don’t mix “DR” and “DR.”
– Choose the format you think looks clearest and causes least confusion.
– Only use periods if you will do so for all abbreviations, or omit them from all.
Ultimately, there is no universally correct choice – Pick the “DR” format that makes the most sense for your purposes and audience, and apply it consistently.
Expert Recommendations
To provide further insight, here are some recommendations from experts on using periods with “DR”:
AP Style
The Associated Press Stylebook advises leaving periods off of most two-letter abbreviations, including DR for drive. Their guidance is to use “DR” without a period in all cases.
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style states that abbreviations like DR do not require a period. Their standard is to omit the period when using “DR” for drive.
MLA Style
The MLA Handbook recommends leaving periods out of abbreviations like DR. Their guidance is to write “DR” without a trailing period.
Garner’s Modern English Usage
This usage guide by Bryan Garner advises omitting unnecessary periods from abbreviations like DR. Garner recommends writing “DR” without a period.
Grammarly Blog
A blog post on the Grammarly website states that DR does not require a period when abbreviating drive. Their standard is to use “DR” without a period.
Examples
To illustrate the differing formats, here are some examples of “DR” with and without a period used in addresses:
Without Period
– 123 Main DR
– 456 Oak DR
– 789 Elm DR
With Period
– 123 Main DR.
– 456 Oak DR.
– 789 Elm DR.
In these examples, you can see the period either omitted or included after “DR” – whichever format is chosen should be used consistently.
Style Guide Summaries
Here is a quick summary of how major style guides address “DR” abbreviation punctuation:
| Style Guide | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| AP Style | Omit Period |
| Chicago Manual of Style | Omit Period |
| MLA Style | Omit Period |
| Garner’s Modern English Usage | Omit Period |
As shown in the table, most major style guides recommend leaving the period off of “DR” for drive.
Tips for Consistent Use of DR
Here are some tips to ensure consistent use of “DR” within a document:
– Pick either “DR” or “DR.” and apply this format every time.
– Do a find/replace to change any inconsistencies.
– Add your chosen format to your style guide or autocorrect for future use.
– Note if certain publications or brands prefer a specific format.
– Use the same format when shorthanding other address terms like Street, Avenue, etc.
– Double check abbreviations when copied/pasted from other sources.
Applying one “DR” format consistently throughout your document will help Ensure clarity and professionalism.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using periods with the abbreviation “DR”:
Is DR an abbreviation?
Yes, “DR” is an abbreviation for the word “drive” when used in the context of an address or location.
What does DR stand for?
“DR” is an abbreviation for “drive” when used in mailing addresses and locations. It indicates the name of a street or road.
Do you have to use periods for abbreviations?
No, there are many common abbreviations that don’t require periods, including DR. However, you can choose to use periods if preferred.
Is DR capitalized?
Yes, “DR” should appear in all capital letters without spaces when abbreviating drive in addresses and locations.
Is it Dr or DR?
“Dr” with a lowercase “r” abbreviates the title “Doctor.” “DR” in all caps abbreviates “drive” in addresses.
Conclusion
The best practice for using “DR” as an abbreviation for drive is to choose one format – with or without a period – and remain consistent within a document. Leaving the period off aligns with the guidance of most style manuals, but including it is still acceptable if applied consistently. Whichever you choose, consistency and clarity for the reader should be the top priorities.
