Apostrophes for missing letters · Grade 1
A contraction is a short form of two words joined together, with some letters left out: do not → don't. The apostrophe ' goes exactly where the missing letters were. We use contractions in speech and in friendly writing.
Key facts
- not becomes n't: is not → isn't, do not → don't, did not → didn't, could not → couldn't.
- am, are, is: I'm, you're, we're, they're, he's, she's, it's.
- will and have: I'll, she'll, they'll; I've, we've, they've.
- Special ones: will not → won't, cannot → can't, let us → let's.
- Don't mix them up with sound-alikes: it's (it is) and its (belonging to it); they're and their; you're and your.
Worked examples
Example 1
Write the short form of they are.
Answer: they're
Example 2
Write the short form of should not.
Answer: shouldn't
Example 3
Write won't in full.
Answer: will not
Example 4
Rewrite with contractions: I am sure it is not here.
Answer: I'm sure it isn't here. (or it's not here)