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Original poster

Why do we still have so many apostrophes in English?

304 replies

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 19:35

It takes so much longer to type anything on the phone.

Apostrophe's were originally in place to show two words shortened into one. But the shortened versions of the words have been in the English langauge for so long now, why do we need the apostrophes.

The word 'Dont' for example, is easily understandable, without an apostrophe.

OP posts:
Kirova · 27/06/2025 23:41

Calling women cows and bitches is certainly sexist, even if it's not misogynistic.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 27/06/2025 23:34

Cyclistmumgrandma · 27/06/2025 19:43

Because that is correct grammar.

Every time I see someone insist on ‘correct grammar’ in a situation such as this, I feel obliged to point out that spelling, punctuation and grammar are three separate and distinct things. Apostrophes are punctuation. Grammar relates to sentence construction / syntax etc.

OP, you are right. We used to use a lot of dashes in the 1800s and now I barely see them. Punctuation is not a matter of social etiquette; it’s designed for clarity. If things are perfectly clear without it then there’s a case for not needing to use it. I think contractions are an excellent example of this as we all know ‘don’t’ means ‘do not’. I think possessive apostrophes are also a kind of contraction: I read that ‘John’s book’ was once written ‘John, his book’ when people put their names in their books. We do need those apostrophes as plurals and possessives can be confusing.

Hopefully, I have made no errors in my post given that I started it by correcting someone but I’ve had wine so that’s my excuse.

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:33

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Kirova · 27/06/2025 23:27

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Misogynistic, much?

Original poster
Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:27

LillyPJ · 27/06/2025 22:12

Apostrophes that show omission (wouldn't, can't, we're etc) often eventually lose the apostrophe. That's why we have phone and not 'phone or bus and not 'bus. We have plenty of words that were originally two, like fortnight (was fourteen nights) or alright and they probably had apostrophes at one time. It just takes a long time to lose them because we generally don't like change.

Yes, so apostrophes have changed over time.

OP posts:
Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:23

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Original poster
Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:22

Isittimeformynapyet · 27/06/2025 23:21

And when you would naturally pause during a sentence, as I've done here.

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No that is incorrect.

OP posts:
Original poster
Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:21

ProperLavs · 27/06/2025 23:15

If you don’t know how to use apostrophes- then don’t start a thread about them.

Ouch you hurt me with that pathetic insult.

Not.

OP posts:
Isittimeformynapyet · 27/06/2025 23:21

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 21:22

I don't think so. Many of those sentences make sense without a comma.

You are only supposed to use a comma when you have two independent clauses, or when you have a list of items.

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And when you would naturally pause during a sentence, as I've done here.

Original poster
Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 23:21

Isittimeformynapyet · 27/06/2025 23:05

Is that a question? Surely it was a statement?

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No I wrote it exactly how I wanted it.

OP posts:
ProperLavs · 27/06/2025 23:19

Kirova · 27/06/2025 20:34

Theres no need for apostrophe's. People just use them to make them look more intelligent than other's. The more the better.

Lol

Isittimeformynapyet · 27/06/2025 23:18

murasaki · 27/06/2025 21:17

Exactly, so it should always be 10 items or fewer in the supermarket. And it never is.

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I've seen "fewer" at supermarket express tills.

People complained about this for decades and some stores listened and corrected their signage.

ProperLavs · 27/06/2025 23:15

If you don’t know how to use apostrophes- then don’t start a thread about them.

queenofthesuburbs · 27/06/2025 23:13

steff13 · 27/06/2025 22:20

I always think if this song when I see that at the grocery.

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I believe Marks and Spencer had to alter all their signs a few years ago, from “Ten items or less” to “Ten items or fewer”

queenofthesuburbs · 27/06/2025 23:11

@SpidersAreShitheadsYes! That’s it… really very funny

Kirova · 27/06/2025 23:06

This whole topic reminds me of a teacher I had when I was about eleven, who said that our whole class treated commas as though we were scattering grain on a field and expecting it to take seed wherever it fell!

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 27/06/2025 23:05

“Apostrophe's were originally in place”

It’s funny you’re complaining about too many apostrophes whilst using them where they’re not needed!

Isittimeformynapyet · 27/06/2025 23:05

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 20:48

That post wasn't replying to you?

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Is that a question? Surely it was a statement?

Macaroni46 · 27/06/2025 23:01

I presume you’re aware you’ve added an erroneous apostrophe in your OP?

Sharptonguedwoman · 27/06/2025 22:48

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 21:20

No it really doesn't.

Most people don't care in the slightest, which is why the word "less" is used so often.

Edited
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Actually we really do. It makes out brains hurt.

Doitrightnow · 27/06/2025 22:47

I don't think it's just about missing letters or possession - if I was reading a novel, or even an email, the punctuation and apostrophes will affect the tone I imagine the author/character saying the words.

So "I don't know" wouldn't be the same to me as "I do not know", or "I DO NOT KNOW!" or "I. Do. Not. Know".

Dont in my head would be read to rhyme with font and be very jarring.

Sharptonguedwoman · 27/06/2025 22:46

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 19:55

Okay so let's look at a different word.

I'm.

That would make sense as Im.

There is no other ' Im' in the English language.

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Im changes the word sound from eye -m to 'im' like Tim.

Sharptonguedwoman · 27/06/2025 22:42

Boliviabae · 27/06/2025 19:45

It was a long time ago.

Languages evolve. Apostrophes are inconvenient, and add time to typing

I don't think that any other language uses apostrophes, as much as English does.

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French? Lot's of apostrophes in French. Poor spelling and grammar detracts from what people are writing, tbh. The reader concentrates on the abbreviation 'dont' 'gonna' and can't get past that to the point of what's being written.

Denimrules · 27/06/2025 22:32

AuditAngel · 27/06/2025 19:46

Apostrophes can also be used to indicate possession.

Were and We’re are not the same.

Leave our apostrophes alone!

This 👍🏼

suburburban · 27/06/2025 22:30

I still use apostrophes for things like in two years’ time, as that’s how I was taught and ‘phone