Previously we spoke of apostrophes and contractions where we combine two words such as a pronoun and a verb (“They’ve left.”). There are other times when the apostrophe is used when letters in a word are being omitted. Some illustrations:
- ‘burbs for suburbs
- ne’er (do well) for never
- ’cause for because
- ‘copter for helicopter
- ’68 for 1968
- ‘ninety-eight for nineteen ninety-eight
- rock ‘n roll for rock-and-roll
- ’round (the clock) for around
- Febr’y for February
Contractions of this type seem to be employed for poetic or artistic purposes (or out of common usage) and might be acceptable in an informal writing such as a letter, but they probably should be avoided in more formal documents such as a term paper or newspaper article. Be aware also that a contraction does not take a period at the end since it is not an abbreviation which always takes a period. (The world of abbreviations seems to be much more rigidly established; many contractions are created ad hoc or are common colloquialisms.)
The apostrophe can also be used to pluralize; this takes us into an area where there are few objective rules (always a joy!). You will recall that apostrophes are not to be used to pluralize a name (the Smith’s), though it is commonly done in error. It is a proper use where it clarifies, such as in the Oakland A’s; without the apostrophe As would be confusing or ambiguous. Other illustrations:
- “The word ‘matter’ contains two t’s.”
- “Schools should teach the three R’s.”
- “Computers employ the binary system of O’s and I’s.”
Compare, however, the following where the number and letter combinations are so well established that to omit the apostrophe creates no ambiguity:
- “Two 747s landed side-by-side.”
- “There are two YMCAs in the city.”
- “There is a serious shortage of RNs.”
The preference seems to be to omit the apostrophe except where the meaning is not clear; on the other hand to insert the apostrophe in these last three illustrations would not be proper.
— Ken Butera