How to use Apostrophes
Grammar Basics
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Apostrophes
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used to shorten words or make contractions:
Cannot - Can’t
Do not - Don’t
I will - I’ll
I would - I’d
They have - They’ve
I am - I’m
Contractions are normally used in spoken English or in informal writing. They shouldn’t be used in the academic writing tasks.
Apostrophes can also show possession:
John’s book
Mary’s brother
Possessive pronouns (like ours, theirs, his, its, etc.) don’t use apostrophes:
✘ The cat broke it’s tail.
🗸 The cat broke its tail.
✘ The book is not their’s, it’s our’s.
🗸 The book is not theirs, it’s ours.
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