Contractions What are contractions Why do you think

Contractions What are contractions?

Why do you think apostrophes have been used in this headline?

Why do you think an apostrophe has been used in this headline?

Why do you think an apostrophe has been used in this headline?

Contractions All these headlines contain ‘contractions’. A ‘contraction’ is a word that has been made smaller. The apostrophe represents missing letters. It isn’t there to join the two words together. Look on the next pages to see how this works!

Do you know how ‘don’t’ is formed? ’ do not The ‘o’ in ‘not’ is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘isn’t’ is formed? ’ is not The ‘o’ in ‘not’ is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘I’d’ is formed? ’ d I ha The ‘h’ and ‘a’ in ‘had’ are dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘aren’t’ is formed? ’ are not The ‘o’ in ‘not’ is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘would’ve’ is formed? ’ ve would ha The ‘h’ and ‘a’ in ‘have’ are dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘couldn’t’ is formed? ’ could not The ‘o’ in ‘not’ is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. The two words join together.

Do you know how ‘we’ll’ is formed? ’ ll We wi What would happen if the apostrophe was missing?

Changing contractions Look at the sentences on the following pages. Can you repeat the sentence with the long forms of the words?

I’ve worked hard at school today. I have Show the long form

I should’ve finished my work. should have Show the long form

He’ll feel better tomorrow. He will Show the long form

It wasn’t my fault. was not Show the long form

What’s wrong? What is Show the long form

They’re being noisy today. They are Show the long form

Who’s knocking at the door? Who is Show the long form

It must’ve been you. must have Show the long form

She doesn’t want to go. does not Show the long form

Changing contractions Look at the sentences on the following pages. This time can you repeat the sentence with the contracted forms of the words?

I have worked hard at school today. I‘ve Show the contraction

I should have finished my work. should’ve Show the contraction

He will feel better tomorrow. He’ll Show the contraction

It was not my fault. wasn’t Show the contraction

What is wrong? What’s Show the contraction

They are being noisy today. They’re Show the contraction

Who is knocking at the door? Who’s Show the contraction

It must have been you. must’ve Show the contraction

I am very sorry. I’m Show the contraction

You will have to stay here. You’ll Show the contraction

I cannot find my cup. can’t Show the contraction

They are over there. they’re Show the contraction

We are going to leave now. We’re Show the contraction

She does not want to go. doesn’t Show the contraction

It must have been you. must’ve Show the contraction

It could have been me. could’ve Show the contraction

You did not stay very long. didn’t Show the contraction

You should not say that. shouldn’t Show the contraction

I cannot give you one. can’t Show the contraction

He has not been late for a week. hasn’t Show the contraction

How did you do? Why do you think writers use apostrophes to contract words?