Which way is correct with this usage of the apostrophe?

Question

I'm writing a novel, and with the development of one of my characters (he speaks with an Appalachian accent, dropping the "g" on most of his verbs that end in "ing"), I've been encountering a couple problems when writing out the way that he would say something.

For instance, take this sentence:

"“Huh. Thought I heard ya say somethin’, but these ol’ ears ain’t what they used to be.”

Does the apostrophe after "somethin'" precede the comma, as I have it, or follow directly after it? I know that it's a general rule to follow a comma with an apostrophe, if you have one, but it just didn't look right. See what I mean?

“Huh. Thought I heard ya say somethin,' but these ol’ ears ain’t what they used to be.”

So, since I can't find any established rules on writing with improper English, does anyone know which way I should use? Which is correct?

Answer 1

It would be somethin',



apostrophe then comma



Something turns into somethin'

therefore the apostrophe clings onto the end of the word to show it's replacement, then the following punctuation.



If you did it the other way, it would look like a quote.

Example, 'did you hear something,' she said.





Hardly used, but you can also have:

"I asked the boy, 'did you hear somethin',' and he didn't answer."

As in the quote within a quote, also using your 'something' dialect.



So in short, you are correct. It is somethin', the apostrophe then comma.

Answer 2

The comma comes after the apostrophe. Remember that the apostrophe is replacing a letter, so imagine if the "g" was still there. You wouldn't put the comma before the "g," right?



That's what I'm sayin', buddy.

Answer 3

Good question!



Since the apostrophe is taking the place of a letter, I'd say that it should go exactly where the letter would have been (before the comma).

Answer 4

the apostrophe is replacing the "g" so it comes before the comma





I did the same thing in a short story..