Please help with Abbreviation

Stlight · May 18, 2008

Every way I write it looks wrong and I can't find it in the dictionary, possibly because I don't know the actual words for am as in the morning hours. Is it am or a.m. or am. ? I am totally confused now.

Thank you for your help.

Stlight

TheIT · May 18, 2008

A.M. = ante meridiem (before noon)
P.M. = post meridiem (after noon)

My Webster's uses the above abbreviations, but I'm not sure of other official styles.

Round John Virgin · May 18, 2008

I agree--small caps, with periods after each.

alleycat · May 18, 2008

I've seen it written all sorts of ways; and shown in different sources as both capitalized and lowercase. I would use A.M./P.M. and assume they will set it in small caps if published, especially for nonfiction.

alleycat · May 18, 2008

TheIT said:
A.M. = ante meridiem (before noon)
P.M. = post meridiem (after noon)

My Webster's uses the above abbreviations, but I'm not sure of other official styles.

The Chicago Manual also shows it as A.M./P.M.

Stlight · May 18, 2008

Thanks everyone.
Stlight

dadburnett · May 18, 2008

I find no absolute rules - A.M., a.m., am - I think it depends on your writing style and upon the perspectives of your intended audience.

dadburnett · May 19, 2008

I notice that Google uses AM and PM when showing the date and time of email msgs.

Please help with Abbreviation

Stlight

ideas are floating where they will

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Round John Virgin

alleycat

Still around