I've just completed a Brain Twist compiled by Minch.

In the instructions at the beginning of the quiz, Minch writes amongst other things "You must use apostrophes". The quiz was written some time ago, and I was wondering if this is still the case? I used them, just in case, lol.

They are no longer accepted in new quizzes - different keyboards produce different symbols for the same thing, and if you use Smart Quotes it's even worse. But old quizzes that do require them for correct expression do still require them, I believe. An editor from the Brain Teasers category may be able to clarify whether an answer without the apostrophes would also be accepted, but I never risk it.

I played one today which had quite specific instructions, saying something like 'this quiz was written when apostrophes were still allowed, so you need to use them'. I believe the BT editors have done their best to note all relevant quizzes to make it as clear as possible. My inner pedant won't allow me to not use them!

We have tried to catch most of the old ones to add that disclaimer, so if you find one without it that catches you out, please let us know.

My own inner pedant is on the same page as rossian's These days if an answer requires any sort of punctuation it may not be fill in the blank, so the problem of debating the use of apostrophes in a newer quiz should not arise.

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Editor in Brain Teasers, Geography, Movies and Crosswords