Language and Linguistics

Apocope examples types and characteristics

Apocope

This phenomenon is more widespread than you can imagine since it is used very frequently in both oral and written language. This consists of the suppression of some sounds or syllables at the end of some words that are too long. Its origin is Latin and in this language, it literally means to cut. Apocope types characteristics and examples

Therefore, we could say that an apocope is nothing more than a cut of a word. From this, its final part has been eliminated, which can be composed of one or more syllables or one of several letters, depending on the case.

What words can be shortened?

Surely you have wondered if this word cut can be used in any of these classes, because yes, an apocope can appear both in nouns, as in verbs, in adverbs, or determiners. For example:

The word tanto, can lose its last syllable due to the apocope and remain as tan without losing meaning.

Characteristics

Some of the characteristics of apocopes are that they alter the way a word is written, in addition to its pronunciation. Regardless of how it is written or pronounced, its meaning will be the same. Ie means the same thing as you both . They can be used in different areas and not in sentences with subjects of both genders: we can say san to replace the word holy , but not for the word holy .

Finally, the apocopes, by shortening syllables or letters at the end of words, help improve the speed of pronunciation. Apocope types characteristics and examples

Types of apocope

Within the apocopes we can find different types that we will define below:

  • Apocope in proper names : above all it is used affectionately with some proper names, for example Patri instead of Patricia or Alber instead of Alberto.
  • Apocope in qualifying adjectives : they are those that fulfill the function of qualifying adjective within a sentence. It can be used with any of them, except when they are in front of more or less. Thus we can find good for good, bad for bad or great for great.
  • Apocope in ordinal adjectives : when referring to ordinal numbers it is very common to apply it by eliminating the last letter. A very clear example is first, which happens to seize first.
  • Apocope in adverbs : they are those that affect this type of words, for example with adverbs so much that it happens to apocopate in so or how much that they do in how.
  • Apocope in cardinal adjectives : in this case we refer for example to hundred. The most common in a sentence is to use one hundred. The meaning remains the same since 25 percent is the same as 25 percent.
  • Apocope in nouns : it applies especially when the names are very long and want to be shortened. In this sense we find several examples such as a car that can also be called a car or photography as a photo.

Examples of apocope

Now that you know what they are and the types that exist, it is time to show some examples of these so that you can understand them better.

  • Some instead of some.
  • Good rather than good.
  • Hundred instead of hundred.
  • How instead of how much.
  • Great instead of great.
  • Bad instead of bad.
  • None instead of none.
  • First instead of first.
  • Saint in place of saint.
  • Third instead of third.
  • One instead of one.

Examples of the apocope in a sentence

Let’s see below how these apocopes are used in a sentence , you will see that although the word is apocopated, it does not lose its original meaning, it only makes the pronunciation more agile and the communication faster: Apocope types characteristics and examples

  • Could you lend me any of the books you have at home?
  • We are having a good time together.
  • This time, Pablo is giving one hundred percent to be able to achieve the job of his dreams.
  • How far away are those times when we played ball in the street.
  • This is my father’s great friend that I have told you so much about.
  • I’m having a really bad day, so you better not be flippant with your questions.
  • Miguel told his son that he would not buy him a car no matter how much he begged.
  • I liked his first album much more than this one, despite what other people think.
  • It is the third day that he has called you, you could pick up the phone.
  • Angela has a very nice and obedient dog.

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