Need help with Apostrophes (Because of Omission) 01? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Apostrophes (Because of Omission) 01 today?

now

English Quiz - Apostrophes (Because of Omission) 01 (Questions)

Apostrophes show missing letters in contractions. Learn to spot we’re, you’re, they’re and avoid confusing it’s with its. Practise clear, correct writing.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

It is becomes it’s, while its without an apostrophe shows possession. The apostrophe marks the missing letter.

In KS3 English, you study apostrophes of omission, which form contractions like don’t (do not) and we’re (we are). You’ll practise using them accurately and avoiding mix-ups such as it’s versus its.

Key Terms

Contraction: A shortened form of two words with missing letters, e.g. can’t for cannot.
Apostrophe of omission: The apostrophe that shows where letters are left out in a contraction.
It’s vs its: It’s = it is/it has; its shows possession, e.g. the dog wagged its tail.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an apostrophe of omission in KS3 English?

An apostrophe of omission shows missing letters in a contraction, such as don’t for do not and we’re for we are.

When do I use it’s and when its?

Use it’s for it is or it has. Use its to show possession, e.g. the cat licked its paws.

What are common contractions I should know?

Key examples include I’m (I am), you’re (you are), they’re (they are), won’t (will not), can’t (cannot), and didn’t (did not).

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Does not.

[ ]	Doesnot
[ ]	Does'not
[ ]	Does'nt
[ ]	Doesn't

2.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Should not.

[ ]	Shouldnot
[ ]	Should'not
[ ]	Should'nt
[ ]	Shouldn't

3.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
It is.

[ ]	It is
[ ]	Its
[ ]	It's
[ ]	Its'

4.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Who is.

[ ]	Whois
[ ]	Who's
[ ]	Whos'
[ ]	Whose

5.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Are not.

[ ]	Are'not
[ ]	Arent
[ ]	Are'nt
[ ]	Aren't

6.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
They have.

[ ]	Theyave
[ ]	Theyh've
[ ]	The'yve
[ ]	They've

7.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Must not.

[ ]	Mustnot
[ ]	Mus'tnt
[ ]	Must'nt
[ ]	Mustn't

8.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
They would.

[ ]	Theyd
[ ]	They'd
[ ]	The'yld
[ ]	They'ld

9.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Would not.

[ ]	Wouldnot
[ ]	Would'not
[ ]	Would'nt
[ ]	Wouldn't

10.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
I have.

[ ]	I'hve
[ ]	Ive
[ ]	I've
[ ]	Iv'e

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - How to check your apostrophes are correct

English Quiz - Apostrophes (Because of Omission) 01 (Answers)

1.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Does not.

[ ]	Doesnot
[ ]	Does'not
[ ]	Does'nt
[x]	Doesn't

The apostrophe is not placed between the two words!

2.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Should not.

[ ]	Shouldnot
[ ]	Should'not
[ ]	Should'nt
[x]	Shouldn't

Use the apostrophe only where the letters are omitted!

3.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
It is.

[ ]	It is
[ ]	Its
[x]	It's
[ ]	Its'

Be careful not to confuse "it's", which means "it is", with "its", which is the possessive of "it"

4.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Who is.

[ ]	Whois
[x]	Who's
[ ]	Whos'
[ ]	Whose

Be careful not to confuse "who's", which means "who is", with "whose", which is the possessive of "who"

5.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Are not.

[ ]	Are'not
[ ]	Arent
[ ]	Are'nt
[x]	Aren't

Always place the apostrophe where the letter or letters are omitted

6.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
They have.

[ ]	Theyave
[ ]	Theyh've
[ ]	The'yve
[x]	They've

Two letters are omitted here: they have becomes "they've"

7.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Must not.

[ ]	Mustnot
[ ]	Mus'tnt
[ ]	Must'nt
[x]	Mustn't

How often do you use the word "mustn't"?

8.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
They would.

[ ]	Theyd
[x]	They'd
[ ]	The'yld
[ ]	They'ld

Similar contractions are "I'd", for "I would", and "she'd" for "she would" or "she had"

9.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
Would not.

[ ]	Wouldnot
[ ]	Would'not
[ ]	Would'nt
[x]	Wouldn't

Similarly, "can not" becomes "can't" and "could not" becomes "couldn't"

10.

Contract the following pair of words into one.
I have.

[ ]	I'hve
[ ]	Ive
[x]	I've
[ ]	Iv'e

Similarly, "you have" becomes "you've" and "we have" becomes "we've"