English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
The apostrophe (‘) has two basic uses. 1. In a contraction. When we push two words together to make one word, we contract the two words by taking out some letters. An apostrophe goes into the space where the letters… Read more403. The Apostrophe – Use it Correctly
When you resign yourself to something, you make peace with the situation. I am resigned to the fact that I will never be a tall person. The word resign can also be used when you are quitting or leaving a… Read more429. The Difference Between Resign and Re-sign
Books, plays, poems, stories, songs, and newspaper articles are some of the written works that have a title. Whenever we write a title, certain words in the title must be capitalized. Always capitalize the first and last word of the… Read more461. Capitalizing Words in a Title
When something is italicized, the words are written in italics – a type of font that looks like script. The titles of larger written works are always italicized. Be sure to italicize the titles of books, plays, magazines, newspapers, movies,… Read more462. Some Titles Get Italicized
Titles of large works (books, plays, newspapers, magazines) get written with italics. We put quotation marks around the titles of smaller works. A book is large, and its title gets italicized. A short story is smaller. Put quotation marks around… Read more463. Using Quote Marks with Titles
We talked last week about making contractions with the adverb not. Usually we just push the two words together and replace the o in not with an apostrophe.did not = didn’tcould not = couldn’tcan not = can’tshould not = shouldn’thave… Read more601. Using the Contraction for Will Not
When two words are shortened into one word, the new word is called a contraction. A contraction is often made by combining a pronoun with a verb. he is = he’sshe is = she’sI am = I’myou are = you’rewe… Read more602. Contractions with Pronouns and Verbs
We can make contractions using a pronoun and the verbs will and shall. Both verbs use only the letters -ll. I will or I shall = I’llshe will or she shall = she’llhe will or he shall = he’llyou will… Read more603. More Contractions with Pronouns and Verbs
We can form conjunctions using a pronoun with the verbs have and has. I have = I’veyou have = you’vewe have = we’vethey have = they’vehe has = he’sshe has = she’s I have been waiting for you.I’ve been waiting… Read more604. Contractions with Have and Has