2
I used to think that if an abbreviation can be pronounced as a regular word, it goes without an article ('NATO', as an example). Similarly, if it's just a sequence of unpronounceable letters, it goes with an article ('the EU', 'the IMF', etc.). However, I noticed that 'GDP' usually does not follow this rule. So what the rule is? Please don't tell me there's no rule. If it's really so, then tell me what the convention is. I don't fancy googling every abbreviation.
EDIT: I replaced 'acronym' with 'abbreviation'. It seems I picked the wrong term.
A sequence of unpronounceable letters is not an acronym. – Michael Harvey – 2020-09-01T16:37:43.677
1True, but that is an error that may native speakers also make. – James K – 2020-09-01T16:43:03.143
1Traditionally the term "acronym" wasn't restricted to pronounceable sequences. Both definitions of "acronym" date back to the 1940s, but at some point, someone decided that only one definition was correct and then went about insisting on everyone else falling into line. – rjpond – 2020-09-01T17:46:09.543