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Using Apostrophes in Contractions

This lesson helps you find contractions inside sentences, check that the apostrophe replaces the missing letters in the right place, and use contractions like don't, we're, and I'll correctly when you write your own stories, notes, and journal entries.

Introduction

You already know that a contraction squeezes two words into one shorter word. Now you will practice something even more useful: finding contractions inside sentences, checking that the apostrophe is in the right spot, and using contractions the right way in your own writing.

Finding Contractions When You Read

When you read a story or a note, contractions can be easy to miss if you are not looking for them. A contraction always has an apostrophe inside it, so that little mark is your clue. Look at this sentence: "I don't think it's going to rain, but we're bringing umbrellas." There are three contractions hiding in that sentence: don't, it's, and we're.

Try reading a sentence slowly and looking for the apostrophe mark. Every time you spot one, ask yourself: what two words got squeezed together to make this word?

Checking the Apostrophe Spot

Once you find a contraction, check that the apostrophe is sitting in the correct place. The apostrophe always goes exactly where letters were taken out, not just somewhere in the middle of the word.

Look at the picture below. The words "do" and "not" join together, the letters "n" and "o" from "not" are removed, and the apostrophe takes their place.

The apostrophe stands exactly where "no" used to be.

If you ever write "dont" without the apostrophe, or put it in the wrong spot like "do'nt," a reader might get confused, so always check that the apostrophe marks the missing letters.

Tricky Contractions to Watch

Most contractions follow the same simple pattern, but a few change in a surprising way. You already know that "will not" becomes "won't," not "willn't." That one is special, so it helps to just remember it by heart.

Here are some contractions that are easy to mix up:

Two Words	Contraction
will not	won't
cannot	can't
it is	it's
they are	they're

Be careful with "it's" and "its." The word "it's" is a contraction that means "it is," like in "It's raining." The word "its" with no apostrophe shows that something belongs to it, like "The dog wagged its tail." Since "its" shows belonging instead of joining two words, an apostrophe does not belong there at all.

Using Contractions in Your Own Sentences

Now that you can find contractions and check their apostrophes, try using them when you write. Instead of writing "I am happy" in a journal entry, you could write "I'm happy." Instead of "we will go to the park," you could write "we'll go to the park."

Before you finish a sentence, read it back and ask two questions: Did I join two words together? Is the apostrophe standing exactly where the missing letters used to be? If both answers are yes, your contraction is correct.

Key Terms & Definitions

Apostrophe: The small mark (') that shows where letters are missing from a contraction.

Contraction: A short word made by joining two words and leaving out some letters, like "don't."

Won't: The special contraction for "will not" that changes more than just the letters you remove.

It's vs. its: "It's" is a contraction for "it is," while "its" with no apostrophe shows something belongs to it.

Practice Activities

Read a short story or a note and circle every contraction you find. Then check whether each apostrophe sits exactly where letters are missing.

Write a short journal entry about your day. Try to use at least three contractions, such as "I'm," "didn't," or "we're," and check each apostrophe before you finish.

Related lessons

Forming Contractions With Apostrophes