Spell Bee Word: apostrophe

Basic Details

Word: Apostrophe

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: A punctuation mark (’) used to show that letters have been left out in contractions or to indicate possession.

Synonyms: N/A

Antonyms: N/A

Idioms and Phrases

1. Missing the apostrophe: Used to describe something that lacks an important detail or has a mistake. Example: "The sign said 'Pizza's' but it was missing the apostrophe in 'Pizza's list of toppings'."
2. Dotting the i's and crossing the t's: This phrase refers to making sure every detail is perfect and correct, including using punctuation like apostrophes. Example: "Before submitting her essay, she spent an extra hour dotting the i's and crossing the t's."

Usage Examples

Example 1: You can’t say “the cat its toy” because you need to use an apostrophe to show possession, making it “the cat’s toy”.

Example 2: In the contraction “they’re”, the apostrophe demonstrates that it combines “they are” into one word.

Example 3: Remember to add an apostrophe when you write phrases like “James’s book” to show that the book belongs to James.

Fun Fact

The word “apostrophe” comes from the Greek word “apostrophos”, which means “turning away”. In writing, it represents the omission or “turning away” of letters in a word.

Famous Quote

"Punctuation is the traffic signals of writing." – Anonymous

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "apostrophe" mean?

a) A type of letter
b) A punctuation mark
c) A grammatical error
d) A synonym for name

Answer: b) A punctuation mark

2. Which of these is an example of a correct use of an apostrophe?

a) Its a sunny day
b) The dog is wagging its tail
c) The cat's toy is on the floor
d) He is my best friend

Answer: c) The cat's toy is on the floor

3. Which phrase correctly shows possession?

a) The dogs barking
b) The dogs bone
c) The dog's bone
d) The dog has bone

Answer: c) The dog's bone

4. What is the use of an apostrophe in the word “don’t”?

a) To show possession
b) To indicate a contraction
c) To separate ideas
d) To start a sentence

Answer: b) To indicate a contraction

5. Which idiom refers to ensuring all details are correct, including punctuation?

a) Missing the apostrophe
b) Dotting the i's and crossing the t's
c) Breaking the ice
d) Caught between a rock and a hard place

Answer: b) Dotting the i's and crossing the t's