YMMV means “your mileage may vary.” YMMV is an internet abbreviation that figuratively means “you might get a different result” or “you might have a different experience.” People use YMMV as a disclaimer at the end of social media posts and comments. YMMV is a reference to a common disclaimer in car advertisements about gas mileage.
YMMV examplesIn a Reddit thread about how to deal with unripe peaches, a user posts, “I put my peaches in a brown paper bag for 2 days, and they came out perfect, but YMMV.”
In another online forum, someone asks, “Is a cover letter necessary, or should I just submit a resume?” Someone replies, “I’ve gotten lots of interviews without sending a cover letter, but YMMV.”
TipNew terms and unfamiliar slang words are common in online discussions. The next time you see a term you’re curious about, ask QuillBot’s free AI Chat what it means.
A PSA (or public service announcement) is a professional TV or radio ad that raises awareness about a social, environmental, health, or safety issue. Most PSAs are made by government agencies or nonprofit organizations. PSAs have covered topics like car safety, voter registration, Alzheimer’s awareness, and more.
Many PSAs nowadays are also published on YouTube and other online platforms as the main broadcasting format or to supplement a TV ad campaign.
PSA also has an informal meaning in online communication. Social media users sometimes preface posts with PSA when they’re sharing an important update or advice (e.g., “PSA: Tonight’s event is rain or shine, so bring an umbrella”).
TIPPSA is a noun that can be plural or possessive. Add “-s” for a plural noun and an apostrophe + “-s” for a possessive noun.
Plural PSA: The creators of Grey’s Anatomy have aired a variety of PSAs after episodes about serious topics.
Possessive PSA: The PSA’s main purpose was to discourage vaping.
It’s easy to mix up plurals and possessives with initialisms and acronyms, but the QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you write them correctly.
LGTM is a workplace abbreviation that means “looks good to me” or “I approve.” Professionals use LGTM when they’re reviewing changes to software developer code, documents, graphic designs, and other work products. LGTM is a concise way for reviewers and decision-makers to give approval without writing lengthy feedback.
LGTM exampleMicki just finished fixing a bug on her team’s website. She uploaded her changes and asked her supervisor to take a quick look. After reviewing the update and testing it out, her supervisor replies, “LGTM! Nice fix!” This simple message tells Micki that she can go ahead and publish the change.TipLGTM is common and useful in Slack threads about collaborative projects and product updates. QuillBot’s free AI Slack message generator can also help you write clear and constructive comments in those Slack threads.
IMO means “in my opinion.” It’s an abbreviation that people use in text messages, chats, and social media comments. IMO usually goes at the beginning or end of a sentence that expresses a personal opinion. It should also be capitalized to show that it’s an initialism.
IMO meaning in text example IMO, the pizza in Chicago is way better than St. Louis-style pizza.
Most of the assignments in this class are boring IMO.
IMO, a college education should be free.
TipEven though IMO is somewhat common in text messages, it’s usually too informal for emails. The QuillBot email writer can help you draft emails that are free of texting abbreviations.
An acronym is a word that is an abbreviation for a phrase—such as the name of an organization—formed from letters in that phrase, typically the initial letters of each word.
For instance, NASA is an acronym that stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the word “radar” originates from an acronym for “radio detection and ranging.”
You can use QuillBot’s free AI acronym generator to help you devise a catchy acronym for your project, business, campaign, or creative idea.
TL;DR is an initialism for “too long; didn’t read.” It has two meanings and uses. When it’s a response to a long message, document, or online post, TL;DR means “this is too long, so I didn’t read it.” TL;DR also means “a summary of the main points.” When people write a long post or document, they sometimes include a TL;DR at the beginning or end.
The tips and examples below illustrate how to use TL;DR appropriately.
TL;DR examples
TL;DR as a response
TL;DR as a summary
In a Reddit discussion about Mario Kart World, a user writes 4 paragraphs about why Peachette should be a playable character, and someone replies TL;DR.
On the family group chat, Julian writes 3 paragraphs about his daughter’s first day of Kindergarten. He ends the long message with “TL;DR she had a great day and loves her new school.”
A busy college student texts her mom about where they’re meeting for dinner. Mom writes back with a long paragraph about the dinner plans and several other things. The student writes back, “TL;DR, can you just LMK the time and place?”
Mariah writes a 5-page report on how the project management platform her company started using last year has reduced costs. In the email with the attachment, Mariah writes, “TL;DR this tool has reduced labor costs by 25%.”
TipThe next time you need to write a TL;DR of a report or other document, why not try QuillBot’s free Summarizer?
Simply copy/paste the full version into the interface, click “summarize,” and voila! QuillBot will instantly provide you with a TL;DR of the main points
Etcmeans “and so forth” or “and others of the same kind.” This abbreviation for et cetera goes at the end of a list (e.g., “unicorns, dragons, fairies, etc.”). The word “etc.” saves the time and space of listing everything that’s in the same category. Like other Latin abbreviations, “etc.” has lowercase letters. It also ends in a period.
Although “etc.” can be a time saver, it works best in certain types of writing, and there are special guidelines to consider. The following tips and examples show how to properly use etc. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can also help you use “etc.” correctly.
How to use etc. in a sentence example The buffet included a wide variety of desserts (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, etc.).
Vince does all of the housework (vacuuming, laundry, etc.), and Nedra does the cooking.
Drew lives in Crested Butte and loves winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc.
NBD is a texting and social media abbreviation for the idiom “no big deal,” which literally means that a situation is not important or problematic. “NBD” is a common reply to a message about a minor problem. On social media, people use “NBD” for sarcasm when they post about a personal accomplishment that actually is a big deal.
NBD examples Daughter: I’m so sorry, but we’re running late. Can we change the dinner reservation to 6:30 p.m.?
Mom: Sure! Consider it done! NBD whatsoever. [The response literally means that the problem is easily fixable and the daughter shouldn’t worry about it.]
Social media post: NBD, but I just signed a contract to publish my dissertation. Stay tuned for more details! [Publishing a dissertation actually is a big deal, so “NBD” is being used for sarcasm.]
TipCapitalization is helpful when you’re texting with initialisms like “NBD,” “SYS,” or LMK. Without all caps, the abbreviation “nbd” might look like a spelling error.
To ensure your messages are free of error and easy to understand, why not install the QuillBot app?
AM and PM stand for “ante meridiem” (before midday) and “post meridiem” (after midday). In parts of the world with a 12-hour time system, people use “a.m.” or “p.m.” to clarify which hour they’re referring to. For example, 6:30 a.m. is morning, and 6:30 p.m. is evening.
The following tips and examples will help you understand when to use a.m. and p.m. and how to format these abbreviations correctly. In most cases, you should write “a.m.” and “p.m.” with periods. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
AM and PM examplesI made a dinner reservation for 6 p.m.
The baby shower is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be an intermission from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
NoteIn parts of the world with a 24-hour time system, people don’t write or say “a.m.” or “p.m.” The hours of each day are numbered 00:00 (for midnight) to 23:00 (for 11:00 p.m.). Midnight is also sometimes referred to as “24:00.”
TBHmeans “to be honest.” It’s an abbreviation for text messages, social media comments, and online chats. Synonyms for TBH include “frankly,” “to tell you the truth,” and “in all honesty.” TBH usually goes at the beginning or end of a candid statement.
TBH examplesTBH, you’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.
TBH, I’d rather stay home and relax instead of going to the party.
I’m not a fan of bubble tea, TBH.
TipIf “TBH” begins a sentence, place a comma after it (just like you would if you were spelling out “to be honest”) because it’s technically an introductory phrase. If “TBH” goes at the end of a sentence, the comma goes before it.
Installing the QuillBot app is a great way to ensure your text messages and social media posts are free of error.
