Article overview
Control whether an acronym is read as a word or spelled out letter by letter.
Acronyms vary in how they're spoken — some are read as whole words (like NASA), others letter by letter (like NBA). Choose the fix that matches what you need:
| Option | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Edit your script directly | A one-off fix — no Replacement needed | "ASAP" → "eigh-sap" |
| Create a Replacement | Keeping the written text, or reusing the fix later | Plain text, e.g. "M O M" |
| Create a Respelling | Precise phonetic control | Toggle on, e.g. NASA → NA-suh |
Creating a Replacement or Respelling
- Highlight the acronym in your script.
- Click on + New Replacement in the Smart Toolbar.
- Check the Oxford and Smart Suggestions tabs for a match.
- If nothing fits, enter the replacement text:
- For a quick fix, type it out as plain text — for example, "M O M."
- For precise control, turn on the Phonetic Respelling toggle and enter a respelling instead — for example, NASA as
NA-suh.
- Preview the pronunciation.
- Save it to your Pronunciation Library if you want to reuse it.
Respellings for acronyms
Use this reference table when spelling out acronyms or initialisms where each letter is pronounced individually — such as ASPCA, LCD, BBC, or FBI.
A → AY | N → EHN |
B → BEE | O → OH |
C → SEE | P → PEE |
D → DEE | Q → KYOO |
E → EE | R → AR |
F → EHF | S → EHS |
G → JEE | T → TEE |
H → AYCH | U → YOO |
I → Y | V → VEE |
J → JAY | W → DUH-buhl-yoo |
K → KAY | X → EHKS |
L → EHL | Y → WY |
M → EHM | Z → ZEE or ZEHD |
FAQs
Q: Will my Respelling apply to every instance of that acronym in the script?
A: Only within the section where you enter it. Save it to your Pronunciation Library to reuse it elsewhere.
Q: Does WellSaid support acronyms in languages other than English?
A: Respellings are optimized for English pronunciation patterns. Results may vary for other languages.
Q: Can I save an acronym Respelling so I don't have to re-enter it every time?
A: Yes. Save the Respelling to your Pronunciation Library, and it will apply automatically across projects.