Apostrophe Figure of Speech: Definition, Uses, Examples & Worksheet

What Is Apostrophe Figure of Speech?

An apostrophe, as a figure of speech, is used to directly address someone who is absent or has passed away. It can also be employed to speak to an abstract quality, idea, or even an inanimate object. The term "apostrophe" originates from the Ancient Greek word "apóstrophos," which translates to “turning away.” This word comes from the Greek components “apo” (meaning away from) and “strophe” (meaning turn or twist).

Here are definition of apostrophe figure of speech from popular dictionaries:

• Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms: “A rhetorical figure in which the speaker addresses a dead or absent person, an abstraction, or an inanimate object.”
• MerriamWebster Dictionary: “The addressing of a usually absent person or a usually personified thing rhetorically.”

These definitions illustrate the apostrophe meaning a figure of speech.

Examples of Apostrophe Figure of Speech

The apostrophe figure of speech involves directly addressing an absent person, a personified object, or an abstract idea. Here are some examples from movies, TV shows, and nursery rhymes:

1. Movies

• Romeo and Juliet: "O Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

• Explanation: Juliet addresses Romeo, though he is not physically present.

• Cast Away: "I’m sorry, Wilson. Wilson, I’m sorry!" and "Don’t worry, Wilson; I’ll do all the paddling. You just hold on."

• Explanation: Tom Hanks' character in Cast Away addresses the volleyball, Wilson, as if it were a friend or companion

• Titanic: "I never thought I’d be here."

• Explanation: Jack Dawson expresses his love for Rose while addressing the ocean, conveying his desire to be with her.

2. TV Shows

• The Simpsons: "Oh, computer, why are you so slow today?"

• Explanation: A character expresses frustration with their technology.

• Game of Thrones: "Oh, death, you’ve stolen my love!"

• Explanation: A character mourns a lost loved one.

• 1992: "Oh, you beautiful city, I’ll never forget you!"

• Explanation: A character reminisces about a place they once lived.

3. Nursery Rhymes

• "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky."

• Explanation: This nursery rhyme directly references the stars and exemplifies the classic use of an apostrophe.

• "Oh! Stars and clouds and winds, ye are all about to mock me; if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness."

• Explanation: This line by Mary Shelley expresses the speaker's imagination and feelings of despair.

These apostrophe figure of speech examples should provide you with a clear understanding.

Apostrophe Figure of Speech Key Characteristics

Here are some apostrophe figure of speech key characteristics take a look below:

• Direct Address: The narrator breaks from addressing the audience to speak directly to someone or something else, even if that entity is not physically present.
• Absence or Inability to Respond: The entity being addressed is typically absent (dead, imaginary, or distant) or it is an inanimate object, abstract idea, or force that cannot physically respond.
• Personification: In poetry, apostrophe often involves giving human or living qualities to non-human thing, making it a way to personify inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
• Exclamatory Tone: Apostrophe often begin with an exclamation like “O,” “Alas,” or “oh”, which further emphasizes the emotional intensity of the address.

These are the key characteristics of apostrophe figure of speech.

Worksheet for Apostrophe Figure of Speech

Review the following sentences and determine whether they contain the apostrophe figure of speech or not:

Sentences:

1. Justice, where have you gone in this cruel world?

2. O Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty.

3. Come on, brain, don’t fail me now!

4. The wind howled all night.

5. O my lost youth, will I ever feel your freedom again?

6. Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again.

7. Time flies when you're having fun.

8. O Sun, why do you burn so fiercely today?

9. O Freedom, how many have died in your name?

10. The stars twinkled above us.

Answers:

1. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Sun

2. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Justice

3. No apostrophe

The wind is described, not addressed.

4. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Lost youth

5. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Darkness

6. No apostrophe

Stars are described, not addressed.

7. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Death

8. No apostrophe

Time is not being directly spoken to.

9. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Brain

10. Apostrophe used

Addressed: Freedom

Conclusion

Summing up, this blog has explored the concept of an apostrophe. You should now feel confident in your understanding of what apostrophes are and how to use them. If you have any further questions about figure of speech or need guidance on adverbs, noun, proverbs, or phrases, feel free to reach out to our experts at Gradding. They are ready to assist you at every step of your learning.

FAQs

1. What Is an Apostrophe Figure of Speech?

An apostrophe figure of speech is a rhetorical device where a speaker addresses someone or something that is not physically present or is deceased or an inanimate object, as if they are alive and can understand and respond. It is a way of expressing and storing emotions, creating dramatic attention to a particular object or idea.

2. How to Pronounce Apostrophe?

The word apostrophe pronunciation is “uh-PAH-stuh-fee”. It's a word with three syllables, with the stress falling on the second syllable, “pah”. The word has the following sounds: uh- (as in "above"), pah (as in "post"), struh (as in "straw"), fee (as in "fish").

3. What Are the Three Uses of Apostrophes?

The three main rules of an apostrophe are to form possessive nouns, to indicate contraction, and to form certain plurals, including plurals of letters, numbers, and symbols.

4. What Are Some Examples of Apostrophes?

Here are some examples of apostrophes used as a figure of speech:

• “O Captain! My Captain!”
• “O black night, nurse of the golden eyes!”
• “O happy dagger!”
• “Oh, you guys, what can I say! You guys make us look good.”
• “Death, you are the most cruel!”