Apostrophes for Contractions
A contraction is when two words are joined together with an apostrophe (') taking the place of the missing letters — like don't (do not) and I'm (I am)!
What You Need to Know
A contraction is two words joined together to make one shorter word. An apostrophe (') shows where letters have been left out. For example: do not → don't (the apostrophe takes the place of the letter o). Contractions are common in everyday speech and informal writing.
Key Concepts
Contraction
Two words joined into one
Apostrophe
Shows missing letters
-n't contractions
don't, can't, won't
'm/'re/'ll/'ve
I'm, we're, I'll, I've
Common contractions:
- do not → don't
- cannot → can't
- I am → I'm
- I will → I'll
- she is → she's
More contractions:
- he is → he's
- we are → we're
- they are → they're
- I have → I've
- would not → wouldn't
Key Vocabulary
Contraction
A shortened form of two words joined together, e.g. do not → don't, I am → I'm.
Apostrophe
The punctuation mark ' that shows where letters have been left out in a contraction.
Expand
To write out the full form of a contraction — e.g. don't → do not, I'm → I am.
Informal Writing
Everyday, casual writing like texts or stories — contractions are more common in informal writing.
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
What is the contraction for "do not"?
Question 2
What does the contraction "she's" mean?
Question 3
What do the apostrophes in contractions show?
Question 4
Which of these is the correct contraction for "I will"?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●A contraction is two words joined together with letters left out, e.g. do not → don't.
- ●An apostrophe (') marks where the missing letters were.
- ●Common contractions: don't, can't, I'm, I'll, she's, he's, we're, they're, I've.
- ●The apostrophe must go in the correct position — where the letters were removed.