Noun
/əˈpɒstrəfi/
An apostrophe is a punctuation mark used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers. It is commonly used in English writing to clarify meaning and make sentences more readable. The frequency of use is quite high, particularly in written contexts such as essays, articles, and informal communication.
Although apostrophes are an essential part of written English to convey clarity and meaning, they are typically not pronounced or referenced in oral speech, where meanings are usually derived from context rather than punctuation.
The child's toy was left in the car.
El juguete del niño se quedó en el coche.
We often see it's raining when we look outside.
A menudo vemos que está lloviendo cuando miramos afuera.
The team's victory was celebrated all night long.
La victoria del equipo se celebró toda la noche.
The word "apostrophe" may not have many idiomatic expressions directly involving it, but it highlights the importance of correct punctuation in several idiomatic contexts where clarity and meaning may be essential.
"It’s all in a day's work" – Paying attention to details, like apostrophes, makes a difference in professional quality.
"Todo forma parte del trabajo diario": presten atención a los detalles, como los apóstrofes, para tener calidad profesional.
"The pen is mightier than the sword." – A well-placed apostrophe can improve the effectiveness of written communication over forceful speech.
"La pluma es más poderosa que la espada": un apóstrofe bien empleado puede mejorar la efectividad de la comunicación escrita más que un discurso contundente.
"Actions speak louder than words." – Just like using apostrophes correctly, actions in written form can convey meaning that words alone may not.
"Las acciones hablan más que las palabras": al igual que usar correctamente los apóstrofes, las acciones en la forma escrita pueden transmitir un significado que las palabras solas no pueden.
The term "apostrophe" originates from the Greek word "apostrophos," which is a compound of "apo" (meaning "from") and "strophe" (meaning "turn"). This etymology reflects its function: to indicate a "turning away" from a word to indicate omission or possession.