Apostrophes and You

Canelek · #1 05-16-2017, 04:48 PM

I've noticed that the incorrect use of apostrophes is extremely common here (Solo'd, duo'd, etc.) Is that a thing on these boards or a genuine misuse of punctuation? I'm not bashing or language-shaming, but I am certainly intrigued.

maskedmelonpai · #2 05-16-2017, 04:55 PM

apostrophe is used in place of omitted letters.

please tell us more about how to properly punctuate made up words.

Lhancelot · #3 05-16-2017, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maskedmelonpai [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

apostrophe is used in place of omitted letters.

please tell us more about how to properly punctuate made up words.

rofl. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

P.S. You got pwn'd OP

Phenyo · #4 05-16-2017, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maskedmelonpai [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

apostrophe is used in place of omitted letters.

please tell us more about how to properly punctuate made up words.

dunk'd

Canelek · #5 05-16-2017, 05:08 PM

You bet! They are often used in place of omitted letters such as do not becoming don't. I do not believe they are intended to shorten a past tense word.

That said, duoed is indeed not a human word. Soloed, however, is.

Again, I am just curious about this message board phenomenon.

paulgiamatti · #6 05-16-2017, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canelek [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

They are often used in place of omitted letters such as do not becoming don't.

This is called a contraction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canelek [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I do not believe they are intended to shorten a past tense word.

You're correct in this belief - they aren't, and never will be. I don't particularly mind when people do this conversationally because I'm not an obnoxious pedant (not suggesting you are either), but I do make a passive mental note about someone when they do it. "Ah, this person doesn't know how to write very well in the English language." No biggie. Lots of people have the same problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canelek [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

That said, duoed is indeed not a human word. Soloed, however, is.

On that note, it's also technically incorrect to use apostrophes (not apostrophe's) for pluralization - e.g., "I grew up in the '90s" is correct, while "I grew up in the 90's" is not. "I won seven CoFs today" is correct, while "I won seven CoF's today" is not. Apostrophes, unless used as a contraction, should generally only be used to denote possession, except when used as a quotation mark or arbitrarily in a formal title - e.g., "Caiu totally ganked Aftermath's Bladestopper while they were trying to recharge it."

Canelek · #7 05-16-2017, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulgiamatti [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

This is called a contraction.

You're correct in this belief - they aren't, and never will be. I don't particularly mind when people do this conversationally because I'm not an obnoxious pedant (not suggesting you are either), but I do make a passive mental note about someone when they do it. "Ah, this person doesn't know how to write very well in the English language." No biggie. Lots of people have the same problem.

On that note, it's also technically incorrect to use apostrophes (not apostrophe's) for pluralization - e.g., "I grew up in the '90s" is correct, while "I grew up in the 90's" is not. "I won seven CoFs today" is correct, while "I won seven CoF's today" is not. Apostrophes, unless used as a contraction, should generally only be used to denote possession, except when used as a quotation mark or arbitrarily in a formal title - e.g., "Caiu totally ganked Aftermath's Bladestopper while they were trying to recharge it."

Right. Possession is the primary use, and also the source of greatest confusion. Contractions rank up there as well. There are quite a few other rules that I do not readily recall.

Again, I am not criticizing folks for grammar. I just make mental notes as well and I found this community is rather unique in certain punctuation usage. It is sort of like the proliferation of allot and alot as opposed to the proper 'a lot'. At the end of the day, most people understand what is conveyed even if it is not exact.