Valid use of apostrophe for abbreviated words

Question

My understanding of the correct use of the apostrophe would be:

Is the third case correct? How should one punctuate an abbreviated word like "id" (identification) or "repo'" (repository)?

There are numerous earlier answers to this sort of question. If you read them you will find strong opinions, and in general no consensus in this highly contentious area. But even given that, your third example is the first time I have seen that usage. — JeremyC, Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 9:57
Interesting. So also "repo." or "id." might be more common than the apostrophe use? — Alex, Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 10:09

Boondoggle · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-13 09:59:12Z

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ID badge is a compound noun: ID + badge.

You can use the word "ID" on its own.

You could write:

"The ID's front side shows a name, a date of birth, and a nationality."

answered Mar 13, 2018 at 9:59

Boondoggle

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Why do you capitalise "id"?
– Alex
Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 10:08
It's pronounced ID (ay-dee). It stands for Identity Documentation. Otherwise it could be confused with "id" which is a Freudian concept.
– Boondoggle
Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 10:12
I think you mean "eye-dee" for the phonetics; I don't believe this addresses my concern regarding "case 3".
– Alex
Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 16:26
You're right, I meant eye-dee. No, id' badge is not correct imo.
– Boondoggle
Commented Mar 14, 2018 at 7:04
ID is now such a common term that those letters on their own require nothing more to signify that they are an abbreviation. But, if you wanted to do so, it would be more usual to use stops:"I.D." For a very long time in UK central government service it has been the practice to omit stops in abbreviations: MPs instead of M.Ps. for Members of Parliament. The reason for omitting stops was that it avoided unnecessary keystrokes by the typist (who back in the 1970s was never the originator of the document).
– JeremyC
Commented Mar 14, 2018 at 17:33

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John Go-Soco · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-13 10:29:25Z

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No, your example in the third case is incorrect (as already pointed out by Boondoggle).

Instead, consider gov't as an example of its usage for abbreviations.

answered Mar 13, 2018 at 10:29

John Go-Soco

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Isn't this an example of a contraction, i.e. my second case?
– Alex
Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 10:36
This one isn't. en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gov%27t
– John Go-Soco
Commented Mar 13, 2018 at 11:12

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