2. Use an apostrophe to form contractions.
In informal speech and writing, two or more words which are often used together may be shortened and combined into one word by replacing one or more letters with apostrophe(s). The combination is called a contraction. Writing contractions without the apostrophe is a spelling error.
- can + not = can't
- we + will = we'll
- of the clock = o'clock
- he + is = he's
- will + not = won't
- they + are = they're
3. Use an apostrophe to mark omitted letters or numbers.
The first two numbers designating a calendar year may be omitted for brevity. Letters may be omitted from words in order to reproduce speech patterns more accurately. Missing letters or numbers must be replaced by an apostrophe.
- 1962 = '62
- Class of 1994 = Class of '94
- writing = writin'
- arithmetic = 'rithmetic
4. Use apostrophes to form plurals of single letters.
- six a's
- four i's
- ABC's
5. DO NOT use apostrophes to form plurals of dates and numbers.
- 1930s
- the '50s (The apostrophe signals the omitted numbers 19.)
- ten 2s
PRACTICE
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Hand Outs
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