punctuation - Is it proper to omit periods after honorifics (Mr, Mrs, Dr)?


I've been reading the Economist lately and they apparently don't punctuate honorifics like "Mr.", "Mrs.", e.g.



The popular rejection of Mr Mubarak offers the Middle East’s best chance for reform in decades.



I believe it's a British magazine, but is such a use proper or common in American English?



Answer



It's not too common in American English, and not strictly proper. I believe it's common in British English, and most likely perfectly proper. (I've got both American and British Harry Potter books, and the British ones leave out those periods.)


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