Contractions quiz Writing with Contractions
Apostrophes for Contractions
Why do we need apostrophes?
We use apostrophes for two reasons:
1) To shorten two words into one word – is not = isn’t, could have = could’ve etc. These are called contractions.
2) To show something belonging to one or more things.
Contraction Rules
The apostrophe replaces the letters that are taken away when two words are shortened into one word. If we take the words, “we have” and shorten them into we’ve, the apostrophe has replaced the h and the a of have.
In most cases, contractions are applied to the second word (do not = don’t, it is = it’s, they have = they’ve, etc).
However, sometimes the first word is contracted instead (will not = won’t, shall not = shan’t).
Won’t is the only contracted word that adds a new letter when it is contracted. Can you see which letter is added?
Words which are contracted
There are not many words which are contracted. The main words which can be contracted are:
not - Don’t walk on the grass.
have - I would’ve bought red wine if you had said you preferred it.
had - I would’ve bought red wine if you’d said you preferred it.
is - It’s a shame you can’t stay longer.
Remember: The apostrophe is used the first time a letter is dropped from the two words that you are trying to shorten into one word.