I realized it was because my body thought it was actually 12 o'clock.
That did not really explain anything though, because I'm always up at 12 o'clock, and usually until at least 3 o'clock.
I said this to Thomas, while I turned on The Office and stumbled into bed, adding something like, "I shouldn't be tired at any of these o'clocks." Which caused him to stare at me like I was crazy.
I have always loved the word o'clock. I enjoy spelling it out all the way. Partly because there is an apostrophe at the beginning, which is so much better than an apostrophe at the end of the word. So I always write it out, even when it looks a little awkward or formal.
Any word can be apostrophed at the end, it takes a special word to rock it in the beginning.
Apostrophed is not a word.
(You didn't need me to tell you that.)
I have a hard time with contractions, because we were not allowed to use them in writing when I was in elementary school. The only exception to this rule was the word o'clock.
It feels a little naughty to write something with a contraction, and not go back to edit it into two separate words.
(If contraction guilt is the only problem in your life, you are doing pretty good.)
So it is almost nine o'clock this morning.
And I am trying to remember if I told Katarina she is not allowed to use contractions, because I am still not entirely sure if they are okay.
And I am ready to conquer a new day and a new week, apostrophes and all.
Do you use contractions when you write?
I don't use them often enough. I'll type out a comment or a post and then realize I need to go back and edit. If I forego the editing process, whatever I am trying to say ends up sounding formal no matter what I'm saying. I've found that if I don't edit this way someone almost always assumes I'm trying to seem "superior" to them in my comments/emails/posts. I have honestly been approached about my "tone" because of the lack of apostrophes in my written communication. It's insane, really. Because I rather enjoy NOT using apostrophes. And it has nothing to do with a feeling of supriority. It's just the way I write! lol
ReplyDeleteThat is kind of hilarious. Now I am wondering if people think the same thing about my writing when I do not use apostrophes? How random!
DeleteHa ha this is so funny! I never thought about o'clock in that way but yes o'clock gets to rock the apostrophe in the beginning :)
ReplyDeleteIt really does!! ;-)
DeleteI love contractions and use them as often as I swear. But I wasn't warned about that in elementary school. I was told not to start sentences with conjunctions, so I probably do that more than contractions. Because I'm a rebel.
ReplyDeleteI was taught not to start sentences with a conjunction, too. As you can see, I violate that rule with wild abandon.
DeleteLOL!! Which is why you are so awesome!
DeleteI use contractions when I write informally. When I was writing papers for college, I used them sparingly.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are a grammar/spelling/punctutation/reading kind of geek/nerd/whatever. It is so awesome, especially in an age of people on twitter not knowing how to #spellyournamewithnovowels
Twitter scares the word lover inside of me. Seriously.
DeleteI do use them and Word along with Google Chrome tell me that they are misspellings.
ReplyDeleteHa! Google Chrome is always telling me words are misspelled, especially when I slip and throw in a British spelling.
DeleteHellooooo I am from the South. We make UP Apostrophed words like Ya'll and You'uns. Duhhhh
ReplyDeleteI am all about the y'all! That word gets its own special category.
DeleteIt depends how formal I am trying to be. For blogging, I think they are perfectly appropriate.
ReplyDeleteSandy
I agree. Now if I could just loosen up on myself, I might actually be able to use them! ;-)
DeleteTracy, I have to comment. I know this is an old post, but humor me. I read this post back in November, not long after I started my own blog (Dizzy Stir).You commented on one of my first posts and I believe you "followed" me. You were the first person to comment and follow that wasn't family or a friend. I was soooooo excited! (I've since moved to WordPress because of technical issues I was having on Blogger, so you aren't following anymore. Insert pouty face here.)
ReplyDeleteNow insert big hint to go ahead and follow me again. rhondaerb.com. (cheesy grin)
Anyway, the reason I combed through your blog looking for this particular post is because I can't stop thinking about it. I happen to use contractions all the time, because I think it lends to a conversational style. In more formal writing I'd probably avoid them, but I haven't done much formal writing lately. :)
Anyway, I just have to tell ya, EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I've used a contraction since I read your post MONTHS ago I think about what you said about contractions. And I use contractions a LOT.
I am subscribed to your blog and read your stuff almost every day, and have saved the ones I didn't have time to read for later. I don't comment much because I'm new to blogging and still getting comfortable with it all, but I wanted to tell you I enjoy your blog. And I figured a post I think about EVERY time I write deserved a comment. :)