The most overused and underappreciated punctuation mark utilized in the writing of the English language. It is used to indicate the omission of a letter (elision) or letters in a word, to connect words pronounced successively (contraction), or to indicate possession.
Alternatively, and much less contemporary, is the use of the term "apostrophe" to indicate a short address by a character in a play or poem to an absent party or an inanimate object. The apostrophe in this sense allows the audience a look into the speaker's thoughts toward a person or object that cannot respond (similar to a soliloquy).
Alternatively, and much less contemporary, is the use of the term "apostrophe" to indicate a short address by a character in a play or poem to an absent party or an inanimate object. The apostrophe in this sense allows the audience a look into the speaker's thoughts toward a person or object that cannot respond (similar to a soliloquy).
-contraction-
Correct: It's movie night.
Incorrect: Its movie night.
Incorrect: Of it's own free will.
Correct: Of its own free will.
He's not the type to say "Don't do it."
-elision-
Ned is a ne'er-do-well.
"O'er the fruited plain..."
-possession-
That is Jack's grammar book.
Jesus' life lasted 33 years.
-in a literary sense...-
Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
Then Beauty is its own excuse for being:
Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
I never thought to ask, I never knew:
But, in my simple ignorance, suppose
The self-same Power that brought me there brought you.
by Emerson (1839)
Correct: It's movie night.
Incorrect: Its movie night.
Incorrect: Of it's own free will.
Correct: Of its own free will.
He's not the type to say "Don't do it."
-elision-
Ned is a ne'er-do-well.
"O'er the fruited plain..."
-possession-
That is Jack's grammar book.
Jesus' life lasted 33 years.
-in a literary sense...-
Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
Then Beauty is its own excuse for being:
Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
I never thought to ask, I never knew:
But, in my simple ignorance, suppose
The self-same Power that brought me there brought you.
by Emerson (1839)
by Brain November 22, 2004
Get the apostrophe mug.The religion of Apostates who are proud (or at least unashamed) of their Apostasy, and are similarly fond of Pastafarianism. Apostafarians are hybrids of the temptations of two equally tantalizing options: the renunciation of one's religion, and the doctrine of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
by dreemcy January 12, 2009
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A loving and caring human being worthy of love. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to shun anyone who leaves the organization or questions the Watchtower's beliefs and doctrines. Jehovah's Witness Apostates are intelligent, talented contributing members of society who are kind to small children and small animals.
Jehovah's Witness Apostate: "Excuse me Ma'am, you dropped your wallet"
Little Old Lady: "Oh thank you dear"
Little Old Lady: "Oh thank you dear"
by Beth Shan2 August 26, 2013
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Get the apotemnphile mug.by Amanda May 13, 2005
Get the i've got a bad feeling aboot this mug.A word meaning 'about' said by eastern Canadians, the Scots (well, southern Scots anyway) and parts of north-east England.
One of the greatest words that isn't in the English language.
One of the greatest words that isn't in the English language.
"What's this aboot?"
by shiieru November 13, 2003
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