Language/Armenian/Grammar/Apostrophes-and-Hyphens

Armenian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Apostrophes and Hyphens

In the rich tapestry of the Armenian language, punctuation plays a crucial role in conveying meaning and enhancing clarity. Today, we will explore two essential punctuation marks: apostrophes and hyphens. Both are foundational tools that assist in the structure and flow of sentences, providing clarity and nuance. Whether you’re aiming to connect words or indicate possession, understanding how to use these punctuation marks is vital for your journey towards mastering Armenian.

In this lesson, we will delve into the correct usage of apostrophes and hyphens within the context of the Armenian language. We will begin with an overview of the significance of these punctuation marks, followed by detailed explanations and numerous examples to solidify your understanding. By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped with the knowledge to utilize apostrophes and hyphens correctly in your writing. Let's embark on this linguistic adventure together!

The Importance of Apostrophes in Armenian

Apostrophes in Armenian serve primarily to indicate possession or to form contractions. Just like in English, they play a significant role in ensuring that your sentences convey the intended meaning. Here’s a closer look at how apostrophes function in Armenian:

Possession

In Armenian, apostrophes are used to denote possession, similar to the English "'s." This helps clarify who or what owns something.

Contractions

Apostrophes are also used in contractions to combine words or syllables for a more fluid reading experience. This is particularly useful in spoken Armenian, where certain sounds blend more naturally.

Examples of Apostrophe Usage

To better understand the usage of apostrophes in Armenian, let’s look at some examples:

Armenian	Pronunciation	English
Նարեկի տունը	Narek'i tunə	Narek's house
Մարիամի գիրքը	Marium'i girkə	Mariam's book
Չես գալու՞	Ch'es galu՞	Won't you come?
Ես սիրում եմ	Yes sirum yem	I love (it).
Անուշի անունը	Anush'i anunə	Anush's name
Դու գիտես, չէ՞	Du gites, ch'e՞	You know, don't you?

The Importance of Hyphens in Armenian

Hyphens are another critical component of Armenian punctuation, primarily used to connect words or parts of words. They help create compound words, clarify relationships between terms, or indicate that a word is divided at the end of a line. Let's explore the various uses of hyphens:

Compound Words

Hyphens are commonly used to form compound nouns or adjectives, linking two or more words to create a new meaning.

Word Division

When a word is too long to fit at the end of a line, hyphens can be used to break the word at a syllable, ensuring that the text remains readable.

Examples of Hyphen Usage

To illustrate the importance of hyphens in Armenian, here are some examples:

Armenian	Pronunciation	English
քաղցր-թթու	k'aghc'r-t'tu	sweet-sour
հայ-ադրբեջանական	hay-adërbeyjanakan	Armenian-Azerbaijani
լուսնային-կայունություն	lusna'ayin-kayunutyun	lunar stability
դաս-հանդիպում	das-handipum	class meeting
սենյակ-փող	senyak-p'ogh	room money
առաջ-հետ	araj-het	forward-backward

Summary of Apostrophes and Hyphens

To summarize, both apostrophes and hyphens are essential punctuation marks in Armenian. Apostrophes help indicate possession and create contractions, while hyphens are useful for forming compound words and dividing lengthy words across lines. Understanding their correct usage will not only enhance your writing but also improve your overall comprehension of the language.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve covered the theoretical aspects of apostrophes and hyphens, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you’ve learned. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and try to apply the concepts we've discussed.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with Apostrophes

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the apostrophe.

1. ____ book is on the table. (Maria)

2. This is ____ car. (Narek)

3. I saw ____ dog in the park. (Anna)

4. ____ going to the store later. (You)

5. Is this ____ pen? (David)

Solutions:

1. Maria's book is on the table.

2. This is Narek's car.

3. I saw Anna's dog in the park.

4. You're going to the store later.

5. Is this David's pen?

Exercise 2: Identify the Apostrophe Usage

Read the sentences below and identify if the apostrophe is used correctly. If it’s incorrect, provide the correct form.

1. Narek's car is blue.

2. Anushs book was interesting.

3. I don't know where he's gone.

4. This is Maria's dog.

5. The cats toy is missing.

Solutions:

1. Correct

2. Incorrect - should be Anush's book.

3. Correct

4. Correct

5. Incorrect - should be The cat's toy is missing.

Exercise 3: Create Sentences with Apostrophes

Using the prompts below, create sentences that incorporate apostrophes.

1. (Narek) - car

2. (Anush) - book

3. (David) - dog

4. (Maria) - house

5. (You) - lunch

Sample Solutions:

1. Narek's car is parked outside.

2. Anush's book is on the table.

3. David's dog loves to play.

4. Maria's house is beautiful.

5. You're having lunch soon.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks with Hyphens

Fill in the blanks with the correct hyphenated words.

1. This is a sweet-____ dish.

2. He is a well-____ student.

3. The high-____ building is new.

4. They had a long-____ discussion.

5. This is a part-____ time job.

Solutions:

1. sweet-sour dish.

2. well-respected student.

3. high-rise building is new.

4. long-term discussion.

5. part-time job.

Exercise 5: Identify the Hyphen Usage

Identify if the hyphen is used correctly in the following sentences. If incorrect, provide the correct form.

1. The well-known author visited.

2. I have a state of the art camera.

3. She is a high school teacher.

4. This is a long term plan.

5. It was a last minute decision.

Solutions:

1. Correct

2. Incorrect - should be state-of-the-art camera.

3. Correct

4. Incorrect - should be long-term plan.

5. Correct

Exercise 6: Create Compound Words with Hyphens

Using the prompts below, create compound words using hyphens.

1. (sweet) - (sour)

2. (high) - (school)

3. (long) - (term)

4. (state) - (of) - (the) - (art)

5. (mother) - (in-law)

Sample Solutions:

1. sweet-sour

2. high-school

3. long-term

4. state-of-the-art

5. mother-in-law

Exercise 7: Correct the Sentences

Read the sentences below and correct any punctuation mistakes related to apostrophes and hyphens.

1. The teachers lounge was closed.

2. I love Narek's and Maria books.

3. This is a well known fact.

4. David's dog is cute.

5. It was a last minute decision to go.

Solutions:

1. The teacher's lounge was closed.

2. I love Narek's and Maria's books.

3. This is a well-known fact.

4. Correct

5. Correct

Exercise 8: Apostrophe or Hyphen?

Read the sentences below and identify whether an apostrophe or hyphen is needed, then rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. This is my brothers book.

2. She is a part time employee.

3. Narek is a well respected individual.

4. This is a girls school.

5. They are working on a state of the art project.

Solutions:

1. This is my brother's book. (apostrophe)

2. She is a part-time employee. (hyphen)

3. Narek is a well-respected individual. (hyphen)

4. This is a girls' school. (apostrophe)

5. They are working on a state-of-the-art project. (hyphen)

Exercise 9: Create Your Own Sentences

Write your own sentences using both apostrophes and hyphens. Try to make them as creative as possible!

Sample Solutions:

1. My sister's favorite dish is sweet-sour chicken.

2. The well-respected teacher gave us a long-term assignment.

3. David's dog loves to play fetch in the high-rise park.

4. Maria's birthday party is a last-minute plan, but it will be fun!

5. I can't wait to visit my mother's-in-law house this weekend.

Exercise 10: Apostrophes and Hyphens in Conversation

Write a short dialogue between two characters using at least five apostrophes and three hyphens. Make sure it flows naturally!

Sample Dialogue:

Anush: "Hey, Narek! Did you see Maria's new book?"

Narek: "Yes, I did! It's a well-written story about a sweet-sour relationship."

Anush: "I can't believe how talented she is!"

Narek: "I know, right? I hope she becomes a well-known author one day."

Anush: "Me too! Let's plan a long-term reading club, shall we?"

Narek: "Absolutely! I love that idea!"

As you work through these exercises, remember that practice is key! The more you engage with these punctuation marks, the more natural their usage will become in your writing. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Armenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Armenian Alphabet
• Pronunciation Rules

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Yes/No Questions

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Time, Manner, and Place

  ---

Armenian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Sources

• Armenian alphabet - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• The Instrumental Case
• Negation
• Present Continuous Tense
• present simple and present continuous
• Relative Clauses
• This, That and the Other One
• Causative Verbs
• Prepositions
• Question Mark and Exclamation Point
• Noun and Pronoun