Which term is the result of combining words, typically with an apostrophe, to form a shorter unit?

Which term is the result of combining words, typically with an apostrophe, to form a shorter unit?

• A. Contraction
• B. Elision
• C. Fusion
• D. Ellipsis

Answer: (A)

Contractions form when two words are joined into a shorter form, with an apostrophe replacing the missing letters. This is exactly what you see in words like can’t, it’s, and you’d, where the letters from the original phrase (cannot, it is, you would) are omitted and represented by an apostrophe. Elision is a broader term that describes dropping sounds in speech and isn’t limited to written forms, while ellipsis refers to omitting material and is shown with three dots. Fusion isn’t the standard term used for this written shortening. So the correct term for combining words with an apostrophe to make a shorter unit is contraction.

Contractions form when two words are joined into a shorter form, with an apostrophe replacing the missing letters. This is exactly what you see in words like can’t, it’s, and you’d, where the letters from the original phrase (cannot, it is, you would) are omitted and represented by an apostrophe.

Elision is a broader term that describes dropping sounds in speech and isn’t limited to written forms, while ellipsis refers to omitting material and is shown with three dots. Fusion isn’t the standard term used for this written shortening. So the correct term for combining words with an apostrophe to make a shorter unit is contraction.