How Do I Know When a Contraction Ends?
As a writer, it can sometimes be tricky to know when to use a contraction in your writing. Contraction usage can be especially tricky for those who are not native English speakers. Fortunately, with a bit of practice, it`s easy to know when a contraction comes to an end.
What Is a Contraction?
In simple terms, a contraction is a shortened form of two words. For example, “I am” becomes “I`m,” “it will” becomes “it`ll,” and “they have” becomes “they`ve.” In most cases, contractions can help your writing to feel more conversational and less formal. However, there are occasions when contractions should be avoided, such as in academic writing or in formal business documents.
How Do I Know When a Contraction Ends?
The easiest way to know when a contraction ends is by looking at the apostrophe. The apostrophe is used to indicate where the missing letters were removed from the original words. For example, in the contraction “can`t,” the apostrophe indicates that the “no” has been removed from the original words, “cannot.”
When reading a contraction, it`s important to remember that the apostrophe represents the missing letters, and it should be pronounced as such. For example, in the contraction “she`ll,” the apostrophe indicates that the “wi” has been removed from the original words, “she will.”
Here are a few more examples:
– “I`d” (I would) – The apostrophe indicates that the “woul” has been removed.
– “you`re” (you are) – The apostrophe indicates that the “a” has been removed.
– “shouldn`t” (should not) – The apostrophe indicates that the “no” has been removed.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, contractions are a useful tool for making your writing feel more conversational and less formal. To know when a contraction ends, look for the apostrophe, which represents the missing letters from the original words. With practice, you`ll be able to use contractions with confidence and clarity.
