Geography: State abbreviations

January 19, 2006: Issue 123

Spell out state names unless they’re part of a mailing address. In mailing addresses, use the two-letter postal abbreviation (all caps, no period).

correct: She bought the two-story Colonial in Kenilworth, Illinois, in 2003.
correct: For more information, write to the Upper Illinois Orchid Society, P.O. Box 2702, Kenilworth, IL, 60043-2702.
correct: For more information, call the Upper Illinois Orchid Society, Kenilworth, Illinois, 847/555-1257.

And remember, when you use a city and state name together, set off the state name with commas before and after.

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