Check Your Knowledge: Using Contractions and Apostrophes Effectively

This exercise will give you practice in applying the first principle introduced in Using Apostrophes Correctly: Use an apostrophe to show the omission of letters in a contraction.

Instructions

Combine the sentences in each set below into a single clear sentence, converting the words in bold into contractions. Feel free to change the word order, add connecting words, and eliminate needless repetition. Here's an example:

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A Guide to Using Apostrophes Correctly

By Richard Nordquist

Example

• Original: You are tired. You should not try to study.
• Combined: You shouldn't try to study when you're tired.

If you run into any problems while working on this exercise, review the pages on Standard Contractions in English and What Is Sentence Combining? When you're done, compare your responses with the sample combinations on page two.

1. It is too cold to go swimming this morning.
   I will stay home and read a book.
2. This morning I left a message for Sam.
   He has not returned my call.
3. We are lost.
   We are on a road that does not go anywhere.
4. We will be joining you in Springfield.
   We hope you do not mind.
5. There is the man.
   He is the man who is engaged to my sister.
6. She is quitting her job.
   She did not say why.
7. Merdine has not attended any classes this week.
   I do not know what is troubling her.
8. The Simpsons are not going with us to the movies.
   They have not been able to find a babysitter.
9. It is not fair.
   You are going to Hawaii.
   I am stuck at home.
10. I would like to help you.
    You are a close friend.
    I am too busy right now.

Various combinations are possible for each set of sentences in the exercise on page one. Here are some sample responses.

Sample Combinations: Exercise in Combining Sentences With Contractions

1. Because it's too cold to go swimming this morning, I'll stay home and read a book.
2. This morning I left a message for Sam, but he hasn't returned my call.
3. We're lost on a road that doesn't go anywhere.
4. We hope you don't mind that we'll be joining you in Springfield.
5. There's the man who's engaged to my sister.
6. She didn't say why she's quitting her job.
7. Merdine hasn't attended any classes this week, and I don't know what's troubling her.
8. The Simpsons aren't going with us to the movies because they haven't been able to find a babysitter.
9. It's not fair that you're going to Hawaii while I'm stuck at home.
10. Because you're a close friend, I'd like to help you, but I'm too busy right now.