English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Pronoun-verb contractions
Pronoun-verb contractions
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify common pronoun-verb contractions in written text.
Correctly form pronoun-verb contractions using an apostrophe.
Distinguish between pronoun-verb contractions and similar-sounding words (homophones or possessives).
Explain the function of an apostrophe in a contraction.
Use pronoun-verb contractions appropriately in informal writing contexts.
Revise sentences by expanding contractions for formal writing or contracting words for informal writing.
Ever notice how we sometimes shorten words when we speak or write to make things quicker? 🤔 Let's explore how we combine pronouns and verbs to create these handy shortcuts!
In this lesson, you'll learn all about pronoun-verb contractions – what they are, how to form them correctly, and when to...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PronounA word that takes the place of a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea). Common pronouns include I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.Instead of 'Sarah is happy,' we can say 'She is happy.' 'She' is a pronoun.
VerbA word that describes an action, state of being, or occurrence. Common verbs used in contractions include 'am,' 'is,' 'are,' 'have,' 'had,' 'will,' and 'would.'In 'I am learning,' 'am' is a verb. In 'They will succeed,' 'will' is a verb.
ContractionA shortened form of two words, where certain letters are omitted and replaced by an apostrophe.'Do not' becomes 'don't'; 'cannot' becom...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Forming Contractions with an Apostrophe
To form a pronoun-verb contraction, combine the pronoun and the verb, then replace the missing letter(s) from the verb with an apostrophe (').
This rule applies to most pronoun-verb combinations. For example, 'I am' loses the 'a' from 'am' to become 'I'm'. 'You are' loses the 'a' from 'are' to become 'you're'. 'He will' loses 'wi' from 'will' to become 'he'll'.
Common Pronoun-Verb Contraction Pairs
Many common pronouns combine with specific verbs (am, is, are, have, had, will, would) to form contractions. Memorizing these pairs is key.
Examples include: I'm (I am), you're (you are), he�...
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Challenging
Read this excerpt from a student's argumentative essay: "I've studied the author's techniques, and it's clear he's using emotional appeals. They're effective, but they don't replace logical evidence. We've got to look deeper." How many pronoun-verb contractions need to be expanded to make this paragraph suitable for a formal essay?
A.Two
B.Three
C.Four
D.Five
Challenging
Consider the formal sentence: "You are responsible for your argument." If you were rewriting this for an informal text message, which option best applies the rules for contractions and possessive pronouns?
A.Your responsible for you're argument.
B.You're responsible for you're argument.
C.Your responsible for your argument.
D.You're responsible for your argument.
Challenging
Look at these examples: (he would -> he'd), (she would -> she'd), (they would -> they'd). Based on this pattern, what is the rule for forming a contraction with a pronoun and the verb 'would'?
A.Remove the letters 'w-o-u-l' and replace them with an apostrophe.
B.Remove the letters 'w-o-u-l-d' and add an apostrophe and a 'd'.
C.Remove the letters 'o-u-l-d' and replace them with an apostrophe.
D.Remove the letters 'w-o' and replace them with an apostrophe.
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