2007-05-23 12:18:30 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Absolutely. Pay homage to the almighty apostrophe, without whom we could not distinguish plurals from ownership. For example, how could we know if the little boys toys, actually belonged to one boy or many young fellows? Insert your little aposrophe and abradcadabra... they can now be the boy's toys(singular) or the boys' toys(many)!
2007-05-23 15:06:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, although above answers are thoroughly true, There are those that see the apostrophe as on its way out citing that it is not 100% necessary when it comes to contractions anyway. For instance, words like don't, won't and and didn't are just s identifiable and easy to understand as if they were written dont wont and didnt. However, until they officially do away with them, we have to use them. And they do help clarify things. For instance the word can't with out an apostrophe is cant which is a word and takes on a meaning of its own. The context of the sentence should tell you which word you are meaning, but it could make it harder on the reader to have to decipher. As a writer, a person must be vigilant about making sure the meaning of what is said is clear. Apostrophes help do that.
2007-05-23 19:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by The PENsive Insomniac 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's necessary. It distinguishes cant from can't. Both are legitimate words
And wont from won't. Ditto
And its from it's.
Get it?
It's vital to use the humble apostrophe.
2007-05-23 19:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by thisbrit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's how we distinguish between "it's" and "its" and put other contractions together. How we show possession ("Monica's doll"). How we can tell that "the students' complaints" means that there is more than one student complaining.
Apostrophes are used all the time. Yes, it's necessary.
2007-05-23 19:22:39 · answer #4 · answered by glurpy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The apostrophe is needed for POSSESSIVE nouns.
For example "I rode in Kathy's car."
Unfortunately it is being abused mightily. It is being used for plural forms of nouns which is incorrect!
"Buy your CD's here." The sentence should read: "Buy your CDs here."
2007-05-23 20:02:32 · answer #5 · answered by WhatAmI? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, when it is part of a contraction or possessive. In a contraction, it denotes that letters are missing in that spot.
2007-05-23 21:15:04 · answer #6 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes absolutely. I hope we never descend into complete text language.
2007-05-23 19:33:30 · answer #7 · answered by Dogfather 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's absulutely necessary and to prove its worth try understanding this sentence without one. (It's and its!)
2007-05-23 20:21:04 · answer #8 · answered by CHos3n 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now that you bring up the subject: one of my pet peeves is that people use "it's" when they really mean "its". Grrrr!
2007-05-23 19:36:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-05-23 19:21:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋