what 's the mark/apostrophe between the n and t in "don't" called?

Question

grammar question

Answer 1

it's an apostrophe that signifies a contraction

Answer 2

it is suppose to join to words and make it into one. it is called a contraction, "spelling". but look up contration in your browser

In English, contractions are usually but not always either negations or combinations of pronouns with auxiliary verbs, and in these cases always include an apostrophe. Negations are generally in the form of doesn't for does not, or wouldn't for would not, where the apostrophe stands for the missing "o" in not (this is not always the case, as in won't for will not). The second category is generally in the form of pronoun + to be, as in "It's cold today" or "We're going downtown," where the apostrophe again stands for a missing vowel, either "i" or "a". The second category also often uses a form of to have, as in "He's gone to bed" or "We've finally gotten there." In this case, the apostrophe stands for the missing "h" plus "a". It should be noted, though, that only British English allows to have to contract when it is the primary verb (as with the phrase "I've a date today"). Although uncommon in written English, people often use complex contractions such as wouldn't've for would not have. Although these can look awkward in print, they are not necessarily incorrect. It is not acceptable in formal written English to use contractions such as "I've" or "can't."

Many people writing English confuse the possessive form of the pronoun it with its contractions. The possessive form has no apostrophe (its), while the contraction of it is or it has does have an apostrophe (it's). See List of frequently misused English words.

Outside the English contractions described above, contractions are virtually the same concept as portmanteaus.

Answer 3

An apostrophe that causes two words to become one.

So in ' do not' the o has been taken away and the apostrophe tells us that something has been taken out.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

It's an apostrophe!

Answer 5

it is called an apostrophe and it denotes an abbreviated version of two words which have been merged into 1

Answer 6

i think it IS called apostrophe

Answer 7

apostrophe

Answer 8

apostrophe

Answer 9

It's called "u-pos-tro-fee".

You have the spelling correct.