milligram sign

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnicalspecialist

   The written symbol 'mg', used after a number to show a weight of one thousandth of a gram.

   Grammar: Countable, so you can say 'the milligram sign' or 'milligram signs'; it normally appears in the singular with 'the'.

   Patterns

   • the milligram sign
   • write something with the milligram sign

   On the label the pharmacist wrote 500 followed by the milligram sign.

   Students often forget the milligram sign when they copy dosages into their notes.

   The milligram sign looks almost the same as the symbol for a milligram, because it is the same thing.

2. 2nouncountabletechnicalspecialist

   A small mark or label on a measuring instrument that indicates a scale marked in milligrams.

   Grammar: Countable; usually used with 'a' or 'the' when pointing to one particular mark on a device.

   Patterns

   • a milligram sign on something
   • the milligram sign on a scale

   Look for the milligram sign on the dial before you weigh the powder.

   The old balance had a faint milligram sign scratched next to the finest division.

3. 3nouncountabletechnicalspecialist

   A notice or printed mark that identifies a measured amount as being in milligrams.

   Grammar: Countable and rather formal; common in instructions, labels and safety texts.

   Patterns

   • a milligram sign on a container
   • check the milligram sign

   Every container needs a clear milligram sign so staff know the strength of the drug.

   If the milligram sign is missing, do not guess the dose.

Word forms

Common combinations

the milligram sign (mg)

Write the dose as 250 mg, using the milligram sign.

put the milligram sign after the number

In scientific writing you put the milligram sign after the number, not before it.

a clear milligram sign

Make sure there is a clear milligram sign on every vial.

the milligram sign on the label

The milligram sign on the label was too small to read.

omit the milligram sign

Do not omit the milligram sign when you record a measurement.

Synonyms and how they differ

mg

This is the actual symbol itself and is far more common in writing; 'milligram sign' is only a way of naming that symbol.

unit symbol

A broader term for any symbol such as mg, kg or mL; it does not single out milligrams.

abbreviation

A general word for shortened forms like 'mg'; it covers many things that are not measurement symbols.

Word family

milligram noun

A unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a gram.

milligramme noun

An older British spelling of 'milligram', now rare.

gram noun

The base unit that a milligram is one thousandth of.

Commonly confused: milligram sign or milliliter sign? milligram sign or microgram sign?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “milligram sign”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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