Capitalizing on the PM- Navigating the Rules and Best Practices for Proper Abbreviation Usage

Do you capitalize PM in your writing? This question often arises in various contexts, especially in formal and professional communication. Understanding when and why to capitalize PM is crucial for maintaining consistency and professionalism in your written work.

In the English language, the abbreviation PM stands for “post meridiem,” which translates to “after noon.” It is commonly used to denote time in the afternoon or evening. The debate over whether to capitalize PM has been ongoing for quite some time. While some style guides recommend capitalizing PM, others suggest using lowercase letters.

The decision to capitalize PM largely depends on the specific style guide you are following. For instance, the Associated Press (AP) style guide recommends capitalizing PM when it is used with a 12-hour clock format. This means that in an AP-style article, you would write “7 p.m.” However, when using a 24-hour clock format, PM is not capitalized, as in “19:00.”

On the other hand, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide suggests using lowercase letters for PM in both 12-hour and 24-hour clock formats. This means that in an MLA-style paper, you would write “7 p.m.” or “19:00” without capitalizing PM.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style guide also recommends using lowercase letters for PM in both 12-hour and 24-hour clock formats. Therefore, in an APA-style document, you would write “7 p.m.” or “19:00” without capitalizing PM.

In addition to following specific style guides, it is essential to consider the context in which you are using PM. In formal and professional settings, it is generally advisable to capitalize PM to convey a sense of formality and clarity. However, in more casual or conversational writing, using lowercase letters for PM may be acceptable.

To summarize, the answer to the question “Do you capitalize PM?” depends on the style guide you are following and the context of your writing. In most formal and professional contexts, it is recommended to capitalize PM when using a 12-hour clock format. However, when using a 24-hour clock format or in more casual writing, lowercase letters for PM are generally acceptable. Always ensure that you are consistent with your usage and adhere to the specific guidelines provided by your organization or publication.