THE APOSTROPHE(')
The punctuation mark, apostrophe,
performs three main functions in English:
1. It is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters in a word, e.g., Int'l
2. It is used to pluralise items, especially numbers and letters, e.g., Circle the 3's in the solution. Count the f's in the sentence.
3. It is used to show ownership, e.g., Professor Fakoya's car. Using the apostrophe to indicate ownership is rule-governed. The rules shall be discussed in subsequent lectures.
The punctuation mark, apostrophe,
performs three main functions in English:
1. It is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters in a word, e.g., Int'l
2. It is used to pluralise items, especially numbers and letters, e.g., Circle the 3's in the solution. Count the f's in the sentence.
3. It is used to show ownership, e.g., Professor Fakoya's car. Using the apostrophe to indicate ownership is rule-governed. The rules shall be discussed in subsequent lectures.
Nice one. I wish to add that since the apostrophe is used to show connection between two things, it only accounts for a relationship that is possessive, not adjectival. For instance, the following examples show a relationship that is adjectival and not possessive- "accounts section" and "sports car". The accounts don't have the section, and the sports don't have a car. In these two examples, we don't have a possessive connection.
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Good one, but please note the spelling of apostrophe in the title. Also, apart from the functions that an apostrophe performs, we need more light on its use when showing possession for (plural) nouns that end in 's' etc.
ReplyDeleteE.g.
"The Jones' house" or "The Jones's house"