Ask the Editor

Jane Mairs,
Editor

How should you write it: United States, U.S., or US?

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Question 

When to use "US" and when to use "U.S."?  – Mianxiu, China

Answer

This is an excellent question and a hard one to answer, because the rules are changing all the time. You will see examples of this abbreviation written both ways, with periods (U.S.), and without (US). To make matters worse, some well-respected style guides recommend the first style, and others prefer the second. Finally, the choice partly depends on whether U.S. is functioning as a noun or as an adjective. 

Here is my advice:

1. In formal writing, spell out the two words as “United States,” as in the example below. This is always appropriate. 

• The United States Ambassador to the United Nations is charged with representing the United States during meetings of the General Assembly. 

2. In informal writing, when the abbreviation is functioning as an adjective (as in, “U.S. Senator”), there seems to be a slight preference among native speakers and editors for the abbreviation with periods (U.S.), as shown below, so I recommend using that style.  

• The U.S. Supreme Court decides only a small number of cases each year. 

3. In casual writing, when United States is functioning as a noun (as in, “We are traveling to the U.S.”), it’s a matter of personal preference. You can either spell out United States or abbreviate it, with periods or without. In other words, all three of the examples below are correct, and you can choose the style that you like best. Just be consistent. 

• The United States has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. 
• The U.S. has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. 
• The US has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. 

I hope this helps.