During this period of transition the modern pronunciation was indicated by dropping the _e_ and using an apostrophe, thus: _clos'd_, _belov'd_.

It is now understood that while the full spelling is to be used, the old pronunciation is not to be used unless specially indicated by placing a grave accent over the _e_ of the last syllable, thus: _beloved_.
At the same period poets, especially, used an apostrophe to indicate a silent _e_ as in _ev'ry_, but the usage is now obsolete.
Such abbreviations as _Dep't_, _Gov't_, _Sec'y_, and the like, are objectionable in print.

If such abbreviations are necessary it is better to use the forms _Dept._, _Govt._, _Secy._ THE HYPHEN The hyphen is used to join compound words; to mark the division of a word too long to go entirely into one line; to separate the syllables of words in order to show pronunciation; as a leader in tabular work.

For this last purpose the period is to be preferred to any other mark in use.

Tabular work without leaders is obscure and therefore objectionable.
QUOTATION MARKS Quotation marks are signs used to indicate that the writer is giving exactly the words of another.