Which term describes the shortened form of a word or phrase formed by omitting letters and adding an apostrophe?

• A. Acronyms
• B. Abbreviations
• C. Contractions
• D. Ellipses

Answer: (C)

Shortening a word or phrase by omitting letters and inserting an apostrophe to show the missing letters is called a contraction. It’s the form we use in everyday writing to mirror spoken language, like don’t for do not or it’s for it is. The apostrophe signals the letters that were left out, helping keep the familiar pronunciation. This differs from acronyms, which are built from initial letters to form a new word (like NASA), and from abbreviations, which are shortened forms that may include periods or not form a new spoken word. Ellipses are just three dots indicating missing text, not a shortened word with an apostrophe. So the described term is contractions.