contractions – ChanteSez.com

ChanteSez … Snap to it!

Posted by onthelookoutatlantaon August 15, 2012August 14, 2012in ChanteSez Tip of the DayLeave a comment

One of the most common mistakes ChanteSeez (hee hee) is the contraction form of “it is” — it’s — used as a possessive pronoun (its).

Contractions take two words and make them one. Other contractions include “that’s” (that is), “we’re” (we are) and “what’s” (what is).

Consider the apostrophe a snap. Add an apostrophe whenever you want to “snap” two words together.

Even with this tip, the only way to truly avoid this mistake is to re-read your writing. Then ask yourself if you meant the “snap” version of “it is,” or its (see!) possessive pronoun sibling.

ChanteSez … Either you are or you ain’t

Posted by onthelookoutatlantaon May 23, 2012in ChanteSez Tip of the DayLeave a comment

I almost titled this “ChanteSez … Don’t contract a typo.” But there are one too many ways to read that sentence.

So let’s get to it: Contractions are pesky. What’s a contraction? Two words — one abbreviated — joined by an apostrophe.

Here’s an easy way to remember when you really want a contraction, particularly the most pesky one, involving the word “are.”

ARE = APOSTROPHE
You are = You’re (not to be confused with “your,” a pronoun)
They are = They’re (not to be confused with “their,” another pronoun)
Are not = Aren’t