The English Corner at Richland College
Contractions
A contraction is a shortened form of a word or group of words where the omitted letters are
replaced by an apostrophe. A contraction is used in speech and informal writing. Contractions
are not appropriate for college, academic writing.
Common Contractions
would’ve
he’s
she’s
they’re
you’re
who’s
let’s
doesn’t
weren’t
aren’t
isn’t
o’clock
would have
he is
she is
they are
you are
who is, who has
let us
does not
were not
are not
is not
of the clock
Confusing the Contraction and Possessive Personal Pronoun
Sometimes, contractions can be confused with possessive personal pronouns. Remember,
personal pronouns show possession. Do not use an apostrophe with personal pronouns.
Their computer is broken.
Your phone is not working.
Whose laptop is on the floor?
When using a form of is, are, or has as part of your main verb or as your main verb, one can use
an apostrophe. Remember, that an apostrophe in a contraction shows omission.
They’re coming to dinner. (They are coming to dinner.)
You’re not very nice. (You are not very nice.)
Who’s written their papers? (Who has written their papers?)
Contractions versus Possessive Pronouns
Be careful not to confuse contractions with possessive pronouns. Possessive pronouns do not
have apostrophes.
Contraction
it’s
they’re
you’re
who’s
Possessive Pronoun
its
their
your
whose
It’s (it is contraction) a shame that the cat keeps licking its (possessive pronouns) paws.
Handout created by Ellen Cardona
www.richlandcollege.edu/englishcorner