What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
apocopes
Example
The word 'photo' is an apocope of 'photograph'. [apocope: noun]
Example
In casual speech, people often use 'info' as an apocope of 'information'. [apocope: noun]
elision
Example
In the phrase 'gonna' instead of 'going to', the 'i' sound undergoes elision. [elision: noun]
Example
When speaking quickly, some people may elide the 't' sound in 'can't' and say 'cahn't'. [elide: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Apocopes are more commonly recognized and used as a linguistic term, especially in informal speech or colloquial language. Elision, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses various phonetic phenomena and can occur in both formal and informal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between apocopes and elision?
While apocopes are typically associated with a more informal tone, elision can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific phonetic processes being discussed.