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Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science
1972 Revision
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RULE IX--CONTRACTIONS AND SHORT-FORM WORDS

§55. Non-Use of Contractions and Short-Form Words:

a. Contractions and short-form words must not be used in a word, part of word, or abbreviation when it is in direct contact with any item listed below. They must also not be used before or after the space which immediately precedes or follows a sign of comparison. In the case where transition to another braille line has been made, contractions must not be used if they could not have been used without the transition. In the case of an expression containing a hyphen or dash, only that portion between the hyphen or dash and the item with which direct contact is made subject to this rule.

i. Any braille indicator other than capitalization indicators or the italic sign of English Braille.
(1)
Example as described in the content
#13;seven

verbose semantics
13 Subscript seven
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(2)
Example as described in the content
#4-_ampere

verbose semantics
4 hyphen Bold ampere
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(3)
Example as described in the content
"velocity<:]

verbose semantics
ModifyingAbove velocity with bar
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(4)
Example as described in the content
$ch

(in ink print, a picture of a church)
verbose semantics
picture of a church
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(5)
Example as described in the content
$c_$one]

verbose semantics
the word one circled
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(6)
Example as described in the content
5*-pound^2

verbose semantics
inch hyphen pound squared
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(7)
Example as described in the content
?distance/time# .k rate

verbose semantics
StartFraction distance Over time EndFraction equals rate
Listen to MathSpeak

 
ii. Any numeric symbol written as in Nemeth Code.
(1)
Example as described in the content
cos @(2,arc csc (-?29/21#)@)

verbose semantics
cosine left-bracket 2 Arc cosecant left-parenthesis minus StartFraction 29 Over 21 EndFraction right-parenthesis right-bracket
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iii. The general omission symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
ten=four .k six

verbose semantics
ten question-mark four equals six
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iv. A single letter.
(1)
Example as described in the content
aarc sin x+barc tan y

verbose semantics
a arc sine x plus b arc tangent y
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v. Any sequence of more than one letter in which each letter has a separate identity.
(1)
Example as described in the content
xysine z

verbose semantics
x y sine z
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vi. Any modifier symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
"$33o<heat]

verbose semantics
ModifyingBelow heat With right-arrow
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vii. The radical symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
>four]

verbose semantics
StartRoot four EndRoot
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viii. Any operation symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
nine-seven .k two

verbose semantics
nine minus seven equals two
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(2)
Example as described in the content
ergs_/cm^3

verbose semantics
ergs slash centimeters cubed
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(3)
Example as described in the content
#60 m94_/hour

verbose semantics
60 minutes slash hour
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(4)
Example as described in the content
/atvolt-cm_/statamp-oer/$

verbose semantics
statvolt hyphen centimeters slash statamp hyphen oersted
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(5)
Example as described in the content
?disttance/time# .k rate

verbose semantics
StartFraction distance Over time EndFraction equals rate
Listen to MathSpeak

(6)
Example as described in the content
seven+three

verbose semantics
seven plus three
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(7)
Example as described in the content
p :o travel by bus
  _/people :o travel 0c>

verbose semantics
people who travel by bus slash people who travel by car
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ix. Any comparison symbol, even though there is a space between it and the word, part word, or abbreviation.
(1)
Example as described in the content
#1 hour .k #60 m9utes

verbose semantics
1 hour equals 60 minutes
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(2)
Example as described in the content
,let #3x .k the l>g] numb]

verbose semantics
Let 3 x equals the larger number
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(3)
Example as described in the content
seven+three .k ten

verbose semantics
seven plus three equals ten
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(4)
Example as described in the content
,copy & replace $4 by .k or
  /.k to make a true s5t;e4

verbose semantics
Copy and replace square by equals or not-equals to make a true sentence period
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(5)
Example as described in the content
,x is a funda;tal pr9ciple that
  .k_'s a4$ to .k_'s are .k_4

verbose semantics
It is a fundamental principle that equals apostrophe s added to equals apostrophe s are equals period
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b. Contractions must not be used in abbreviated function names in any context. In addition, contractions must not be used in unabbreviated function names which appear in a mathematical context. In particular, the word "arc" must not be contracted when immediately preceded or followed by mathematical symbols, whether space or unspaced.

(1)
Example as described in the content
sin x

verbose semantics
sine x
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(2)
Example as described in the content
cosh x

verbose semantics
hyperbolic cosine x
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(3)
Example as described in the content
sine x+sine y

verbose semantics
sine x plus sine y
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(4)
Example as described in the content
cos (arc ,tan x+?.p/3#)

verbose semantics
cosine left-parenthesis arc Tan x plus StartFraction pi Over 3 EndFraction right-parenthesis
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(5)
Example as described in the content
#2arcsin x

verbose semantics
2 arc sine x
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(6)
Example as described in the content
,arc ,sine x

verbose semantics
Arc Sine x
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(7)
Example as described in the content
,arc ,a,c,b is a major arc

verbose semantics
Arc Upper A Upper C Upper B is a major arc period
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c. The contractions for to, into, and by must not be used before any of the items listed below. When the contraction for into may not be used, the contraction for "in" may nevertheless be used in "into" unless otherwise prohibited.

i. Before any of the items in a above.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,f ;a to ;z_4

(contraction not used according to a(i))
verbose semantics
From a to z period
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(2)
Example as described in the content
,f ?1/4# to ?1/2#_4

(contraction not used according to a(i))
verbose semantics
From one-fourth to one-half period
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(3)
Example as described in the content
,decompose $r ,a,b,c,d
  9to $ts ,a,b,c & ,d,b,c_4

(contraction not used according to a(i))
verbose semantics
Decompose rectangle Upper A Upper B Upper C Upper D into triangles Upper A Upper B Upper C and Upper D Upper B Upper C period
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(4)
Example as described in the content
,f .a to .w_4

(contraction not used according to a(i))
verbose semantics
From alpha to omega period
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(5)
Example as described in the content
,f -#10 to #10_4

(contraction not used according to a(ii))
verbose semantics
From negative 10 to 10 period
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(6)
Example as described in the content
#22@*3 is equal to =@*11

(contraction not used according to a(iii))
verbose semantics
22 times 3 is equal to question-mark times 11
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(7)
Example as described in the content
! imag9>y "p denot$
  by i .k (0, 1)

(contraction not used according to a(iv))
verbose semantics
the imaginary part denoted by i equals left-parenthesis 0 comma 1 right-parenthesis
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(8)
Example as described in the content
,a,b is p>allel to ,c,d

(contraction not used according to a(v))
verbose semantics
Upper A Upper B is parallel to Upper C Upper D
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(9)
Example as described in the content
,divide by >3]_4

(contraction not used according to a(vii))
verbose semantics
Divide by StartRoot 3 EndRoot period
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(10)
Example as described in the content
,f -#10 to +10_4

(contraction not used according to a(viii))
verbose semantics
From negative 10 to plus 10 period
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(11)
Example as described in the content
,if .k_'s >e divid$ by .k_'s, !
  results are .k_4

(contraction not used according to a(ix))
verbose semantics
If equals apostrophe s are divided by equals apostrophe s comma the results are equals period
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ii. Before any abbreviation which consists of one letter or a combination of letters corresponding to a short-form word.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,turn to p4 #27_4

verbose semantics
Turn to p period 27 period
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(2)
Example as described in the content
,3v]t mm to ;m4

verbose semantics
Convert millimeters to meters period
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(3)
Example as described in the content
,3v]t "ds to yrs4

verbose semantics
Convert days to years period
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iii. Before any Roman numeral.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,*apt]s ;,i to ,,vii_4

verbose semantics
Chapters Upper I to UpperWord V I I period
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iv. Before a dash or ellipsis.
(1)
Example as described in the content
#20 a4$ to ---- equals #30

verbose semantics
20 added to low-line equals 30
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v. Before any reference symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
@,s#25 to @,s#27_4

verbose semantics
section-mark 25 to section-mark 27 period
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vi. Before a "single letter".
(1)
Example as described in the content
! imag9>y "p denot$
  by i .k (0, 1)

verbose semantics
the imaginary part denoted by i equals left-parenthesis 0 comma 1 right-parenthesis
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vii. Before a sequence of more than one letter in which each letter has a separate identity.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,a,b is p>allel to ,c,d

verbose semantics
Upper A Upper B is parallel to Upper C Upper D
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viii. Before any word, part word, or abbreviation in situations in which contractions are not permitted according to the other rules of this section.
(1)
Example as described in the content
p :o g by car+people :o g 0tra9

verbose semantics
people who go by car plus people who go by train
Listen to MathSpeak

(2)
Example as described in the content
! numb] ( p :o travel by car
  +the numb] ( p :o g 0tra9

("by" cannot be contracted before "car" because the ar contraction in "car" cannot be used)
verbose semantics
the number of people who travel by car plus the number of people who go by train
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(3)
Example as described in the content
,! >ea is divid$ 9to in^2_4

verbose semantics
The area is divided into inches squared period
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ix. Before any modified expression.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,! *ange f x: to y:_4

verbose semantics
The change from x Overscript bar EndScripts to y Overscript bar EndScripts period
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x. Before any abbreviated function name or unabbreviated function name, provided that the latter occurs in a mathematical context.
(1)
Example as described in the content
;y is propor;nal to log x_4

verbose semantics
y is proportional to log x period
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xi. Before any grouping symbol.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,f (1) to (5)_4

verbose semantics
From left-parenthesis 1 right-parenthesis to left-parenthesis 5 right-parenthesis period
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xii. Before any of the miscellaneous symbols of Rule XXII.
(1)
Example as described in the content
,*ange to @0_4

verbose semantics
Change to percent period
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(2)
Example as described in the content
,*ange ! m"oy 9to @s10 bills4

verbose semantics
Change the money into dollar-sign 10 bills period
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d. The st and th contractions must not be used for ordinal endings when these are attached to numerals, letters, or other mathematical expressions. If an ordinal ending is composed of only one letter, follow the ink print.

(1)
Example as described in the content
#1st, #2nd, #3rd, #4th_4

verbose semantics
1st comma 2nd comma 3rd comma 4th period
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(2)
Example as described in the content
;ith, ;jth, ;kth, ''', (n-1)th_4

verbose semantics
i th comma j th comma k th comma period period period comma left-parenthesis n minus 1 right-parenthesis th period
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(3)
Example as described in the content
#2nth

verbose semantics
2 n th
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(4)
Example as described in the content
#1st & #2d_4

verbose semantics
1st and 2 d period
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e. The one-cell whole word alphabet contractions for but, can, . . . , you, as and the one-cell lower-sign whole-word contractions for be, enough, were, his, in, was, whether capitalized, italicized, or neither, must not be used when these words are in direct contact with any grouping symbol. The contractions, whole-word or part-word, for and, for, of, the, with, whether capitalized, italicized, or bold and any contraction of the types mentioned above, the rule still applies. When this rule precludes the use of a contraction in one part of a word, no part of the word may be contracted.

(1)
Example as described in the content
(and1 9 a4i;n)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis and comma in addition right-parenthesis
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(2)
Example as described in the content
(that is)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis that is right-parenthesis
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(3)
Example as described in the content
(not-;p)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis not hyphen p right-parenthesis
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(4)
Example as described in the content
,! ;x (in ! example abv)
  repres5ts an 9teg]4

verbose semantics
The x left-parenthesis in the example above right-parenthesis represents an integer period
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(5)
Example as described in the content
(.of c\rse)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis Italic of course right-parenthesis
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(6)
Example as described in the content
(,formally a polynomial)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis Formally a polynomial right-parenthesis
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(7)
Example as described in the content
(officially )drawn)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis officially withdrawn right-parenthesis
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(8)
Example as described in the content
(_8,can y f9d ! answ]80)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis quote Can you find the answer question-mark quote right-parenthesis
Listen to MathSpeak

(9)
Example as described in the content
(_8in a4i;n1 x /.k #0_0)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis quote in addition comma x not-equals 0 quote right-parenthesis
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(10)
Example as described in the content
(_8,of c\rse not60)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis quote Of course not Exclamation-mark quote right-parenthesis
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(11)
Example as described in the content
(,give ! command)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis Give the command right-parenthesis
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f. Contractions must be used when they are likely to be mistaken for mathematical expressions.

(1)
Example as described in the content
,use the ! 6f9d ! volume4

verbose semantics
Use the Integral to find the volume period
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(2)
Example as described in the content
,can ,c .k #100_8

verbose semantics
Can Upper C equals 100 question-mark
Listen to MathSpeak

(3)
Example as described in the content
a .k b, but b /.k c_4

verbose semantics
a equals b comma but b not-equals c period
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(4)
Example as described in the content
,we see that c .k d_4

verbose semantics
We see that c equals d period
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(5)
Example as described in the content
,let .this 2 an angle 9 /&>d
  posi;n4

("this is spelled out because in immediately surrounding text in ink print the Greek letter "theta" (θ) also appeared)
verbose semantics
Let Italic this be an angle in standard position period
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§56. Use of Contractions and Short-Form Words: Subject to the conditions of §55, the use of contractions and short-form words of English Braille must be used.

(1)
Example as described in the content
#1 li<t-ye>

verbose semantics
1 light-years
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(2)
Example as described in the content
n-;p

verbose semantics
not hyphen p
Listen to MathSpeak

(3)
Example as described in the content
;x-9t]cept

verbose semantics
x hyphen intercept
Listen to MathSpeak

(4)
Example as described in the content
un>y1 b9>y1 '''1 ;m->y4

verbose semantics
unary comma binary comma period period period comma m hyphen ary period
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(5)
Example as described in the content
?1/2#-(f sale

verbose semantics
one-half hyphen off sale
Listen to MathSpeak

(6)
Example as described in the content
#9-9*

verbose semantics
9 hyphen inch
Listen to MathSpeak

(7)
Example as described in the content
hydrog5-#3

verbose semantics
hydrogen hyphen 3
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(8)
Example as described in the content
#360^.*-9t]val

verbose semantics
360 degree-sign hyphen interval
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(9)
Example as described in the content
=-\nce

(the omission symbol replaces a question mark in ink print)
verbose semantics
question-mark hyphen ounce
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(10)
Example as described in the content
(ft4-p.d)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis feet hyphen pound right-parenthesis
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(11)
Example as described in the content
9*-pound^2

verbose semantics
inch hyphen pound squared
Listen to MathSpeak

(12)
Example as described in the content
#60 m94_/hour

verbose semantics
60 minutes slash hour
Listen to MathSpeak

(13)
Example as described in the content
(rate)@*("t) .k (4t.e)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis rate right-parenthesis times left-parenthesis time right-parenthesis equals left-parenthesis distance right-parenthesis
Listen to MathSpeak

(14)
Example as described in the content
energy .k mass@*(spe$ ( li<t)^2

verbose semantics
energy equals mass times left-parenthesis speed of light right-parenthesis squared
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(15)
Example as described in the content
(people :o travel 0c>)_/(100 *n)

verbose semantics
left-parenthesis people who travel by car right-parenthesis slash left-parenthesis 100 children right-parenthesis
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(16)
Example as described in the content
.(,mary1 ,s,y1 ,j1n.)

verbose semantics
left-brace Mary comma Sally comma Jean right-brace
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(17)
Example as described in the content
.(,w$41 ,?urs4.)

verbose semantics
left-brace Wed period comma Thurs period right-brace
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(18)
Example as described in the content
,! hypo!sis ab ;ab is 8nt5a#4

verbose semantics
The hypothesis about a b is untenable period
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(19)
Example as described in the content
,! a2revi,n = 8s9e0 is 8sin_40

verbose semantics
The abbreviation for quote sine quote is quote sin period quote
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(20)
Example as described in the content
,turn to p4 #92_4

verbose semantics
Turn to p period 92 period
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