APOSTROPHE

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr Bamgbose)

APOSTROPHE (‘)

Apostrophe is one of the punctuation marks in English and it is a commonly misused mark, among second language users of the language. It performs four major functions:

1. It is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters in a word. Example: int’l
   When used for this purpose, the writer must be sure that the shortened word will be recognised by readers.
2. It is used for contractions; the process of articulating or writing two words as one:
   I am a boy.
   I’m a boy. ✔️
   Am a boy. ✖️
3. It is used to pluralise numbers and letters:
   Underline the Fs and circle the 3s. ✖️
   Underline the F’s and circle the 3’s.
4. It is used to indicate ownership:
   The boy’s bag.
   Subsequent lectures will discuss the rules that guide the use of apostrophe to indicate ownership.
   GAB