Apostrophes to show contraction
Sometimes referred to as
‘Apostrophes to show omission’.
Apostrophes are used to show when letters are missing.
When two words are shortened to become one word think
of the apostrophe as the ‘Dropped Pin’ to show where the
missing letters used to be.
She is=she’s=the apostrophe shows you where the letter i
used to be
Some websites including games to
support the use of apostrophes
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/en29p
unc-game-beat-the-clock-apostrophes
• https://sites.google.com/site/easygrammar4ki
ds/contractions
Apostrophes can be used to show missing
letters.
I can not come to the party.
I can’t come to the party.
Can not becomes can’t.
The apostrophe shows that there are letters missing
.Two words have been reduced, or contracted, to
one word . The apostrophe is usually put in place
of the missing letters.
What do these words become when you
shorten them? Questions only
have not
they will
shall not
I have
you are
What do these words become when you
shorten them? Answers
have not
haven’t
they will
they’ll
shall not
shan’t (the double l and o are missed out)
I have
I’ve
you are
you’re (check if you can replace the
one word with you are)
More examples of apostrophes for
contraction.
Jack would not play with his baby brother.
Jack wouldn’t play with his baby brother.
Emma did not want to eat the unhealthy chocolate
cake.
Emma didn’t want to eat the unhealthy chocolate cake.
Its and it’s
The apostrophe is only used to show ‘it is’. So before deciding
whether to add an Apostrophe try to say ‘it is’
It’s sunny today.
( apostrophe check- It is sunny today-correct so it’s is correct.)
It’s very kind of you to give me your last sweet.
“It’s full of amazing songs,” said Jo after listening to ‘50 words of
Snow.’
The dog carried its own lead. ( apostrophe check= the dog
carried it is own lead- wrong- so no apostrophe)
Apostrophes for omission
(To show missing letters)
Where should I go?
Here’s
where I go!
’
Would you say “Here is where I go?”
Apostrophes for contraction
(to show missing letters)
She has had lots of fun at
the park.
My new mobile will not
work.
She’s had lots
of fun at the
park.
My new mobile
won’t work.
Apostrophes for omission
(to show missing letters)
Insert an apostrophe to show a letter or
letters, have been taken away.
It is too hot for me.
It’s too hot for
me.
We’ve gone to
town.
We have gone to town.
Where should I go?
Its nice to spend time with friends.
A. It’s nice to spend time with friends.
B. Its’ nice to spend time with friends.
C. Its nice to spend time with friends’.
Hint:
What’s missing? Say it aloud – does it make sense?
Apostrophes
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aren't
are not
can't
cannot
couldn't could not
didn't
did not
doesn't does not
don't
do not
hadn't had not
hasn't
has not
haven't have not
he'd
he had ; he would
he'll
he will; he shall
he's
he is; he has
I'd
I had; I would
I'll
I will; I shall
I'm
am
I've
I have
isn't
is not
it's
it is; it has
let's
let us
mightn't might not
mustn't must not
shan't
shall not
she'd
she had; she would
she'll
she will; she shall
she's
she is; she has
shouldn't should not
that's
that is;
that has there's there is; there has
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they'd
they'll
they're
they've
we'd
we're
we've
weren't
what'll
what're
what's
what've
where's
who'd
who'll
who're
who's
who've
won't
wouldn't
you'd
you'll
you're
you’ve
they had; they would
they will; they shall
they are
they have
we had; we would
we are
we have
were not
what will; what shall
what are
what is; what has; what does
what have
where is; where has
who had; who would
who will; who shall
who are
who is; who has
who have
will not
would not
you had; you would
you will; you shall
you are
you have