top of page

Apostrophes - part 1


An apostrophe can be used to replace a letter (or letters). For example:

  • isn't (from is not)

  • don't (from do not)

  • can't (from cannot)

When this happens, a new word (called a contraction) is formed.

Apostrophes Replace Missing Letters

An apostrophe can be used to show that a letter (or letters) is (are) missing from a word. Using an apostrophe to replace a missing letter is not common in formal writing, where you'd expect all words to be written in full. (Using an apostrophe to replace a letter is extremely common, but it is generally reserved for informal writing. It is used to reflect how people speak.) Examples:

  • The weather's bad.

  • (Written in full: The weather is bad.) (In this example, the apostrophe replaces the letter i, and the two words are joined to make one. The new word "weather's" is a contraction.)

  • Don't think about it.

  • (In full: Do not think about it) In this example, the apostrophe replaces the letter o, and the two words are joined to make a contraction.)

Apostrophe error found in a Christmas cracker

  • Alan can't deliver on Tuesdays.

  • (In full: cannot)

  • If you don't fail now and again, it's a sign you're playing it safe. (Woody Allen)

  • (In full: do not / it is / you are)

  • Don't look now, but there's one too many in this room, and I think it's you. (Groucho Marx)

  • (In full: do not / there is / it is)

  • Blood's not thicker than money. (Groucho Marx)

  • (In full: blood is)

  • Sally isn't able to complete her work.

  • (In full: is not)

Only Use Apostrophes to Replace Letters in Standard Contractions

When an apostrophe replaces a letter, a new word is formed (most often, but not always, using the remaining letters of the original words). The new word is called a contraction. You cannot invent your own contractions. Here is a list of common contractions in English:

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..........I am

I've..........I have

isn't..........is not

it's..........it is, it has

let's..........let us

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

they'd..........they had, they would

they'll..........they will, they shall

they're..........they are

they've..........they have

we'd..........we had, we would

we're..........we are

we've..........we have

weren't..........were not

what'll..........what will, what shall

what're..........what are

what's..........what is, what has

what've..........what have

where's..........where is, where has

who'd..........who had, who would

who'll..........who will, who shall

who're..........who are

who's..........who is, who has

who've..........who have

won't..........will not

wouldn't..........would not

you'd..........you had, you would

you'll..........you will, you shall

you're..........you are

you've..........you have


 
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
bottom of page