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The apostrophe ( ' or ' ) is a punctuation mark, and sometimes a diacritic mark, in languages that use the Latin alphabet or certain other alphabets. In English it has two main functions: it marks omissions, and it assists in marking the possessives of nouns and some pronouns. (In strictly limited cases, it is allowed to assist in marking plurals, but most authorities now disapprove of such usage; see below.) According to the OED, the word comes ultimately from Greek ἡ ἀπόστροφος [προσῳδία] (hē apóstrophos[prosōidía], "[the accent of] 'turning away', or elision"), through Latin and French.[1]

The apostrophe is different from the closing single quotation mark (usually rendered identically but serving a quite different purpose), and from the similar-looking prime (which is used to indicate measurement in feet or arcminutes, and for various mathematical purposes).

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Related Questions

What is the word called when it has an apostrophe?

A word that has an apostrophe is called a contraction. Contractions are created by combining two words and replacing missing letters with an apostrophe. Examples include "can't" (cannot) and "I'm" (I am).


Does its need an apostrophe?

Yes if its is used as the contracted word of it is, it should be written as it's.


Where is the apostrophe in it is the Chefs choice?

The correct placement of the apostrophe in "it is the Chef's choice" is after the word "Chef," making it possessive. So, it should be written as "Chef's."


Does the word Holidays have an apostrophe?

No, the word "holidays" does not have an apostrophe.


Does the word NESTS have an apostrophe?

As written in the question, no. But the apostrophe serves to clarify the function of the word in a sentence. Nests can be used with or without an apostrophe, depending on how the word is used in a sentence. Nests can be a plural noun, or it can be the third personal singular of the verb to nest in the present tense.


What is the proper noun from this sentences.you enjoy listening to Sophies stories when she reads them to the class?

The proper noun is Sophie's, a possessive proper noun (without the apostrophe, the word Sophies is the plural form for Sophie, two or more Sophies; the possessive form with the apostrophe means the stories of Sophie).


What is one phrase word or sentence that has reflectional symmetry when written vertically?

Wow mom


Where does the apostrophe goes in the word you would?

there is no apostrophe


What does the apostrophe stands 4 in the word girls'?

Belonging to more than one girl.And if you're going to ask for punctuational interpretations, proper phrasing of your question would be polite. The question should be: What does the apostrophe stand for in the word " girls' "


What is the plural possessive of the word it?

The word 'it' is singular and has no plural. Therefore it cannot have a plural possessive form.However, the possessive form of it is its, without an apostrophe. It is commonly written incorrectly, with an apostrophe. It's means it is or it has. Like all possessive pronouns, there is no apostrophe (e.g. hers, his, theirs)


Should the word gods have an apostrophe?

The word gods is a plural common noun. It is not a proper noun.The gods were angry.If gods has ownership or belongings, it needs an apostrophe.The gods' wrath was shown in thunder and lightning.


Is the word it's a contraction for a apostrophe?

There is no contraction for the word apostrophe. It's is a contraction of it is or it has.