Aargh! It’s the Return of the Apostrophe Monster! Get rid of him by learning when to use apostrophes…
This article will focus on when to use an apostrophe in words like I’ll, I’m, won’t, let‘s, you’re, and more. The apostrophe here is used to ‘mash’ two words together.
Are Apostrophes a Weird Type of Glue?
No it marks the position of the missing letters. It’s a kind of x marks the spot: or apostrophe marks the spot.
It’s > it is DON’T get mixed up with its, the possessive pronoun
don’t > do not
doesn’t > does not (watch out for – dosen’t – eek!)
can’t > can not, or, cannot
they’re > they are
won’t > will not… er, shouldn’t it be willn’t?
Try saying willn’t. Urgh! I guess that’s why they shortened it to won’t. Much easier on the tongue.
couldn’t > could not
shouldn’t > should not
I’ll > I will
we’ll > we will
you’ll > you will
I’m > I am
we’re > we are
we’ll > we will
let’s > let us
they’ve > they have
shan’t > shall not (uncommon)
mightn’t > might not (uncommon)
Now test yourself:
cant
wont
shant
well
lets
theyve
youre
were
Im
Ill
theyre