how to spell: apostrophes 1 contractions

howtospell.co.uk - we're looking at the apostrophe - what a nightmare this punctuation mark is. There are two uses of the apostrophe but in this video we're looking at apostrophes that make words shorter - words like I'm, she's, he's, they're, won't can't, shouldn't etc. These are called contractions or short forms.

My son's sick, he can't go to school. What's the long form of these contractions?
My son is sick, he cannot go to school.


Do you know where and why the apostrophe goes where it does?

The apostrophe replaces the missing letter or letters and also joins the two words together.

you're = you are. The apostrophe replaces the 'a'

What about it's what does this word mean?

It's = it is and it has



Let's look at the apostrophe 'd words. What does the d mean?

It means had or would.

she'd - she'd seen him before. She had seen him before

I'd "eyed" = I had/ I would I'd love a cup of tea = I would love a cup of tea


I am (is two words) knock off the a and join the words to one word I'm (remember your capital I)


Let's look at some weird spelling

cannot is (one word) and contracted to can't.

Then we have some strange old words that change the letters
Shall not = shan't

will not = won't- check out my video on why 'will not' contracts to 'won't' - it's fascinating

Let's do a quick test what's the short forms of these
1. I am
2. They are
3. He is not
4. She cannot
5. I will
6. I will not

Check your apostrophes


1.I am = I'm
2. They are = they're
3. He is not = he's not or he isn't - no usage differences
4. She cannot = she can't
5. I will = I'll
6. I will not = I won't



So let's recap - one use of the apostrophe is in contractions and short forms. It joins the words together and replaces the missing letter or letters



Hope you've learnt something - pop over to my website howtospell.co.uk and sign up for free spelling lessons. Next video is on the dreaded apostrophes for possession and ownership. See you then. Thanks