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Apostrophes Replace Letters
Using Apostrophes to Form Contractions
Apostrophes can be used to replace letters to form contractions.In a contraction, the apostrophe replaces a missing letter or letters. Most often, but not always, a contraction uses the remaining letters of the original words. For example:
Original Word(s) | Contraction |
---|---|
cannot | can't |
she + would | she'd |
they + will | they'll |
More Examples of Apostrophes in Contractions
In these examples, the contractions are highlighted:- The weather's bad.
(In this example, the apostrophe replaces the letter i, and the two words are joined to make one. The new word is a contraction.)
- Don't think about it.
(In this example, the apostrophe replaces the letter o, and the two words are joined to make a contraction.)
- Alan can't deliver on Tuesdays.
- If you don't fail now and again, it's a sign you're playing it safe.
(Actor Woody Allen)
(In full: "If you do not fail now and again, it is a sign you are playing it safe.")
- 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 look now, but there is one too many in this room, and I think it is you.")
- Blood's not thicker than money.
(Groucho Marx)
(In full: "Blood is not thicker than money.")

Examples of Wrongly Placed Apostrophes in Contractions
Here are two examples of a wrongly placed apostrophes in contractions.
The apostrophe error in this Christmas-cracker joke is funnier than the joke. (This is a rare mistake.)
- Sally is'nt able to complete her work.
Only Use Apostrophes to Replace Letters in Standard Contractions
You cannot invent your own contractions.- g'tar
- potato's
List of Contractions in English
Here is a list of common contractions in English:Contraction | Original |
---|---|
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 |
Common Mistakes Related to Contractions
Here are seven common writing issues involving apostrophes and contractions:(Issue 1) Don't Merge Three Words
Do not merge three words with a contraction. For example:Original Word(s) | Contraction |
---|---|
he + would + have | he'd've ![]() |
Original Word(s) | Contraction |
---|---|
he + would + have | he'd + have ![]() |
he + would + have | he + would've ![]() |
(Issue 2) Do Not Confuse "You're" and "Your"
"You're" is short for "you are." For example:- You're a naughty boy.
- The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.
(Lily Tomlin)
- This is your PC.
- This is you're PC.
- Your a star.
(Issue 3) Do Not Confuse "It's" and "Its"
"It's" is short for "it has" or "it is." (There are no other uses.) For example:- It's stopped raining, and it's sunny.
- I'm near the whale. I can see its tail.
- This is it's fourth journey.
- Its as easy as falling off a log.
- A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
(Winston Churchill)
(Issue 4) Do Not Write "Should Of"
"Should've" sounds like "should of," but it is short for "should have." (This is the same for "could've" and "would've.")- should of
- could of
- would of
(Issue 5) Write "Cannot" As One Word
As an expansion of "can't," "cannot" is one word.- I can not stand in the rain for too long.
- A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.
(Playwright Oscar Wilde)
- Rebecca can not only sing but dance too.
(Issue 6) There Is No Apostrophe in "Ours"
Words like "ours," "theirs," "yours," and "hers" (called possessive pronouns) do not have apostrophes in them.- These books are ours.
- You can use our's.
- I saw theirs'.
(Issue 7) Write Contractions in Full in Business Writing
Contractions reflect how people speak. They are generally reserved for informal writing. In business writing, it is unusual to use contractions because they can make your writing look too informal. Unless your business has an informal "voice" (like, say, Virgin and Red Bull), it is a good practice to play it safe and write all words in their full forms.- Therefore, the delivery date can't be met.
- It's available for collection on Tuesday.
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