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Definition
 Contractions
are words which have been shortened.
This
is done by missing out letters.
An apostrophe replaces
any missing letters.
EXAMPLES
doesn't - for does not
we'll - for we will
it's - for it is
they're - for they are
USE
Contractions
are used in the following statements:
You're going to like this picture.
Give me that gun or I'll call the police.
We weren't late for school after all.
Contractions
are used a lot in speech, and in informal writing.
However,
many people disapprove of using contractions in any formal writing.
For
instance, they could create a bad impression in a business letter.
Contractions
are easily confused with possessive pronouns.
This
is because they are pronounced in the same way.
Contraction |
Possessive pronoun |
it's [it is] |
its [belonging to it] |
they're [they are] |
their [belonging to them] |
you're [you are] |
your [belonging to you] |
INCORRECT example
The players know their going to have to score more goals if the team
wants to improve it's position in the league.
CORRECT version
The players know they're going to have to score more goals if the team
wants to improve its position in the league.
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