«αντί' αυτού» κι όχι «αντ' αυτού» Δεν καταλαβαίνω. (from Greek LingQ Mini Stories, Lesson 9)

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The words «αντί’ αυτού» are used several times in Greek LingQ Mini Stories, lesson 9. Ι have only know this to be written as «αντ’ αυτού» (with no ί, όχι ιώτα).

Since seeing it in that lesson, I’ve looked everywhere I can think of to see it rendered as written in that lesson. I can’t find it.

Some hyperlinks – apparently I can only use two hyperlinks as a new user of LingQ… so it’s a bit unreadable…

  • See Λεξικό της κοινής νεοελληνικής Dictionary of Standard Modern Greek https:// www.greek-language.gr/greekLang/modern_greek/tools/lexica/triantafyllides/search.html?lq=%22%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CF%8C%CF%82+1±%CE%AE±%CF%8C%22&dq=
    (look under αυτός, after 3α ΦΡ)
  • See Globse (remove space to use link) https://el.glosbe. com/el/en/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84’%20%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%8D
  • See Word Reference (remove space to use link) https:// www.wordreference.com/gren/αντ’%20%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%8D
  • See Lexigram (may require account, remove space to use link) https:// www.lexigram.gr/lex/enni/phrase/%CE%BF_%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84_%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%8D?main=292#Hist0
  • I’ve checked my physical copy of Μπαμπινιώτης (another dictionary).

I’ve looked many other places, but I digress…

I’m not fluent in Greek, not even close. I’d love it if someone else chimed in here. It wouldn’t be the first or last time I was wrong…

Thanks,
Kat

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Based on the evidence from trusted dictionaries and lexical databases, it’s clear that the correct and standard form is «αντ’ αυτού». Your observation that the version with an extra ι does not conform to authoritative written Greek is entirely accurate.

The apostrophe in this contracted form signals that a sound—specifically the final “ι” of «αντί»—has been elided for smoother pronunciation and to conform with official spelling conventions. It serves as a diacritical marker, indicating that a letter normally present has been deliberately omitted.

Using an apostrophe while retaining the final ι—as in «αντί’ αυτού»—renders the apostrophe meaningless. There’s no phonological, grammatical, or orthographic reason to mark an elision that hasn’t occurred.