How to Write Contractions Properly

It is easy to make a mistake when writing contractions, and quite a few users on Mibba seem to not know how to write them correctly. There is an easy way to remember it, though. If there is an apostrophe, you have to be able to break the word up into two words. Also keep in mind that programs like Word won’t always correct you properly, so it’s much better to just know what word means what so you can fix it yourself. So, here are some examples that people tend to get confused about to further clarify how to use contractions. Remember, just because they sound the same, doesn’t mean they mean the same thing.

Its or It’s?

“Its” is a possessive word. For example, “The cat licked its paw.” – the paw belongs to the cat. If you can replace the “its” with “his/her”, then you’re using the right form.

“It’s” means “it is”. For example, “It’s time to feed the cat.” which can also be written as “It is time to feed the cat.” This “its” cannot be replaced by other possession words (like his/her) because they mean something different.

Your or You’re?

"Your” is the possessive word, just like “its” was in the sentences above. For example, “Your cat licked its paw.” – the cat belongs to you.

“You’re” means “you are”. For example, “You’re feeding the cat today.” which can also be written as “You are feeding the cat today.” Note how this one can be expanded (because of the apostrophe), but the sentence above cannot.

Lets or Let’s?

“Lets” is a form of the verb “to let”, as in “he/she/it lets”. Therefore, it is used as “John lets his cat sleep on his bed.”, because it is a verb.

“Let’s” means “let us”. For example, “Let’s go and pat the cat.” which can also be written as “Let us go and pat the cat.” Note how these two formations of the verb “to let” are not interchangeable.

Take some time to think when you’re writing and proofreading. You wouldn’t miss out the apostrophe for “I’m”, would you? “Im” would just be weird. Just remember this one simple rule: if you can expand the word into two separate words, put an apostrophe in.

Author's Note: If you have any other grammar points you’d like to be cleared up, post a comment (on this tutorial or on my profile) and I’ll do a tutorial on it.