Hi,
I've identified "driving while intoxicated" with (DWI) after it the first time it is mentioned in a paper I am writing. I would like to this abbreviation/acronym throughout the rest of the paper (obviously). My problem is that the majority of times I want to use it, the grammar doesn't sound right. For example:
"In order to convict a defendant for DWI, the defendant must be shown to have been....."
OR I could add "a" before DWI and it would sound correct. Which way is grammatically correct?
DWI usually means 'The offence of driving while intoxicated', rather than just the words 'driving while intoxicated'. You wouldn't normally say 'He was arrested DWI'. You'd say something like 'He was arrested on a DWI' or 'He was arrested and charged with a DWI'.
So, when you define it, define it as the offence of . . .
It's an abbreviation, not an acronym. An acronym is initials that are spoken as a word, like NATO (pronounced NAYTOW).
Best wishes, Clive