Anonymous  [More info] According to what I've read, word "number" is abbreviated "no." Can this abbreviation be used anywhere to replace "number" (Number of students), or only when talking about a sequence number (Competitor number five)? Can the word be abbreviated also "nr."? Thanks for help! Anonymous

	+1 Grammar Geek  [More info] I'm personally not familiar with using "nr." but that doesn't mean it isn't ever done. His bib no. was 515 in the race would probably work, although you don't usually use abbreviations in normal prose. Save that for a chart. On the other hand, you can use the pound sign (#): He was #515 in the race. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 22,009 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	+1 Grammar Geek  [More info] Well, Anon, it depends on what you use as your style guide, doesn't it? Abbreviations are a matter of style, not grammar, which means that there is no "always do" and "never do."  The most important thing for style is to be consistent within whichever style you choose to follow. You can use AP, or Chicago, or whatever you follow, including a house style. The fact that you say "full stop" instead of "period" already tells me that you follow some different styles than I do. I found two examples online in just moments that advocate for no. for number. Grammar Geek

	+1 Cool Breeze  [More info]  Anonymous wrote: It's still a bit unclear to me whether "no." (or some other abbreviation, maybe) can be used to replace number eg. in phrases "Number of messages" and "Serial number". Would you please share your views. I do have a reason for using abbreviations. no., 1.    north. 2.    northern. 3.    number. Also, No. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary) Webster's disciples think both no. and No. are correct. I wouldn't omit the full stop/period after no. even if I were a Brit as that might cause confusion in some contexts. I would not use no./No. in "number of messages" or any other similar expressions. No. looks all right when it is used with a numeral: No. 5. I would consider "serial number" a borderline case but would probably refrain from using the abbreviation in that context. As GG says, this is a matter of style rather than grammar. CB Cool Breeze Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006 Finland Senior Member 4,824 "Translators, traitors." - Italian proverb