Glossary · Word parts and vocabulary
What is a contraction?
Definition
A contraction is two words shortened into one, with an apostrophe marking the missing letters, such as can't for cannot or it's for it is.
The apostrophe goes where letters were dropped, not where the two words meet. In didn't, the apostrophe replaces the o of not, so it sits between n and t. Students who put it at the join write did'nt, which is the most common error.
Contractions come in families: with not (isn't, don't, won't), with is (he's, it's), with will (I'll, we'll), with are (you're, they're), with have (I've, we've). Teaching them by family shows the pattern.
A few are irregular, like won't for will not. And it's versus its causes trouble into adulthood. It's always means it is or it has; its is a possessive with no apostrophe.
In a lesson
Write did not and ask the student which letter disappears in the short form. They cross out the o and replace it with an apostrophe: didn't.
Why does this matter for the record?
Contraction errors are usually apostrophe placement. Note them in writing samples rather than testing contractions in isolation.
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