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The Apostrophe of Omission
1
The Apostrophe of Omission
By Kerry Lewis
Twitter: @Mrs_SPaG
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar
Two Ways to Use the Apostrophe
Introduction
- Omission: when we omit (leave out) letters or numbers
- Possession
Numbers
'64
1964
1960s
'60s
Numbers
Common Mistake:
My dad was born in the 1960's.
Omission
I am > I'm
1.
we will >we'll
2.
Single Contractions
should have > should've (not should of)
3.
o'clock > of the clock
Informal writing & dialogue
4.
Example
“No—no—I reckon it wouldn’t hardly do, Ben. You see, Aunt Polly’s awful particular about this fence—right here on the street, you know—but if it was the back fence I wouldn’t mind and she wouldn’t. Yes, she’s awful particular about this fence; it’s got to be done very careful; I reckon there ain’t one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it the way it’s got to be done.”
In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Ben asks Tom if he can help him to paint a fence. Tom replies:
Double Contractions
could not have > couldn't've
woll not (alternative spelling for will not) > wo’n’t > won’t
Double Contractions
shall not > sha’n’t > shan’t