Apostrophes

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 3 to 6 · English

Apostrophes: I can use apostrophes for missing letters and for owners, and keep them out of plurals.

1. Do not. Two words. We often squash them into one short word.

   Watch: the o from not drops out.

   Don't. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing o.

   A short word like this is called a contraction.

   Picture: The word "do" and the word "not" join to make "don't", with an apostrophe in place of the missing letters. It means "Do not".

2. Here is a note from Mum. It has four contractions.

   We're is we are. Can't is cannot. Don't is do not. It's is it is.

   Each apostrophe shows where letters are missing.

   Picture: A short text called "A note from Mum" with a picture of an envelope: "We're going to the park. I can't wait! Don't forget your coat. It's cold today." "We're", "can't", "Don't" and "It's" are underlined.

3. Your turn: We do not like rain. Which is the short way to write do not?

   Picture: The sentence "We do not like rain.", with "do" and "not" underlined.

   Choose one:

   • don't
   • dont
   • do'nt

   Answer

   The answer: don't

   Don't. The o drops out of not, and the apostrophe takes its place.

   Picture: The word "do" and the word "not" join to make "don't", with an apostrophe in place of the missing letters. It means "Do not".

Words to know

apostrophe:

A small mark like a raised comma. It shows missing letters or an owner.

contraction:

Two words squashed into one short word, like don't.

possession:

Owning something. The dog's bone belongs to the dog.

plural:

More than one: apples, dogs, cats.