Abbreviation can be used in text messaging, in chat room or even in a short email. But it becomes a necessity in text messaging since cell phone system restrict the amount of characters can be used for texting.

While abbreviating it is important to make sure that the abbreviated word is understandable by others. There are many universal standards abbreviate words like “lol” (laugh out loud), “omg” (Oh my God), “idk” (I don’t know) etc.

Some of the rules for abbreviating words are:

• Try to keep it simple
• Short but meaningful
• Leaving out letters is primary; you can even leave out some words if it only makes sense.
• Vowels are easy to omit although some consonants can be leave out.
• Do not try to save space and time by omitting space too. Leave spaces between abbreviated words.
• If you come up with a new abbreviation, make sure you include a summary of it at the beginning so that you can use it later anytime.

ty – thank you

ilu- i love you

2night – tonight

u2 – you too

<3 – heart

aslp – age, sex, location, picture

asap – as soon as possible

fyi – for your information

b4 – before

brb – be right back

cya – see you

ttyl – talk to you later

bff- best friend forever

btw – by the way

cuz – because

ditto – same here

diy – do it yourself

dunno – i do not know

gf/bf – girl friend/ boy friend

g8 – great

gtg - got to go

huh – what?

Jk – just kidding

Method #1

One of the easiest ways to remember spelling is breaking down syllables. Most of the dictionaries have this feature. If you are struggling with a spelling, get reference from an online or offline dictionary on how to break those sounds or syllables. An example of such syllables breakdown for term syllable is “syl⋅la⋅ble”.

Method #2

The second way to remember correct spelling is the words inside a word technique. As for example, the term “personal” is often misspelled as “personnel” which refers to totally different thing. If we use the words in word method, we can see that there are 2 words inside the word “personal” – person and persona. Looking for similar term inside word that you prefer to eat, name of family, friends or personal associate can help a lot too.

Another example for such method can be explained with word “Echinacea” (name of an herb). This word has the word “CHINA” inside it; the very first is easy “E”, and all you have to remember the last part which is “cea”.

Method #3

Finally, remembering what makes a word misspelled and what makes it correct. As for example term “definitely” often misspelled as “definately”. Misspelled “definately” consists of the word “ATE” which should trigger you to fix the spelling error because “ate” pronounce as eight and it’s incorrect form.

There are many more ways to make spelling easier. These are just few of them that I thought are very useful for me. It does not matter if you are in a spelling bee contest or scrabble game, some of these methods will surely come in handy for you.