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Shupkay Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

One or two apostrophes?

As a contraction, how should and be punctuated? In advertisements and articles and such, I see the contraction punctuated 'n, n', and less often 'n'.

Which of the three versions are correct? Could it be a style choice? Is 'n' incorrect because it could be mistaken for a single-quoted item?

Thanks for readin'.
  

Top answer

I don't think there's a ruling, but I'd go with 'n' anyway. Cambridge Learners recognizes only 'n' . ).

— Mister Micawber

  • I don't think there's a ruling, but I'd go with 'n' anyway.
  • Cambridge Learners recognizes only 'n' .
  • ).
  • 'N can be confused with the contraction for than .
  • The only equivalent problem I know offhand is sha'n't (which most references ignore in favor of shan't ).
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2 Answers
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I don't think there's a ruling, but I'd go with 'n' anyway. Cambridge Learners recognizes only 'n'. The only other reference I found (Wiktionary) is not a terribly respected one, but it calls 'n and n' non-standard (!). 'N can be confused with the contraction for than.

The only equivalent problem I know offhand is sha'n't (which most ref
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