Abbreviations
We usually write abbreviations with periods in English.
Mr. = Mister
Ltd. = Limited (company)
kg. = kilogram
the USA = the United States of America
NATO = the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
OPEC = the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Some abbreviations are made from the first letters of several words. We usually pronounce these with the stress on the last letter.
the BBC
the USA
Some of these abbreviations are pronounced like one word.
We do not usually use articles with these
NATO (NOT The NATO)
OPEC (NOT The OPEC)
About to
be + about + to infinitive
If you are about to do something, you are going to do it very soon.
Don’t go out now, we’re about to have supper.
I was about to go to bed when the telephone rang.