Detailed Explanation of Contractions with ‘not’ ✍️❌
Contractions with not are a way to make words shorter and easier to say or write. When we want to show that something is not true or that we are not doing something, we often use not. By joining not with another word using an apostrophe, we create contractions with not.
What are contractions with ‘not’? 💡
A contraction with not means combining a helping verb or modal verb with not to show the negative form. For example:
- is not becomes isn’t
- cannot becomes can’t
- will not becomes won’t
The apostrophe (‘) takes the place of the missing letters from not.
How are contractions with ‘not’ formed? 🔧
- Start with a verb + not: For example, is not.
- Remove the o in not.
- Add an apostrophe (‘) where you removed the letter.
- Join the two parts together: isn’t.
This works with many verbs like is, are, have, do, will, and modal verbs like can.
Common examples of contractions with ‘not’ 📋
| Full form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| is not | isn’t |
| are not | aren’t |
| do not | don’t |
| cannot | can’t |
| will not | won’t |
| has not | hasn’t |
| did not | didn’t |
How to use contractions with ‘not’ in sentences 📝
Contractions with not make sentences sound more natural and less formal. Here are some examples:
- She isn’t happy about the homework.
- They can’t come to the party.
- I won’t forget to bring my book.
- He doesn’t like broccoli.
- We aren’t ready yet.
A tip for using contractions 💡
When writing, contractions are great for friendly or informal writing. However, in formal writing like reports or essays, try to use the full forms instead. Also, remember to always use an apostrophe when writing contractions to show where letters are missing.
By understanding contractions with not, you can write and speak more smoothly while showing negativity or refusal clearly. Practice making your own sentences with contractions like isn’t, can’t, and won’t to get comfortable using them!
10 Examination-Style 1-Mark Questions on Contractions with ‘Not’ for Year 6 ❓✏️
- What is the contraction of “do not”?
- What is the contraction of “cannot”?
- What is the contraction of “will not”?
- What is the contraction of “is not”?
- What is the contraction of “has not”?
- What is the contraction of “did not”?
- What is the contraction of “should not”?
- What is the contraction of “was not”?
- What is the contraction of “does not”?
- What is the contraction of “could not”?
10 Examination-Style 2-Mark Questions with 1-Sentence Answers on Contractions with ‘Not’ 📚✅
-
What is the contraction of “do not”?
Answer: The contraction of “do not” is “don’t.” -
Write the contraction for “has not”.
Answer: The contraction for “has not” is “hasn’t.” -
Which contraction means “will not”?
Answer: The contraction that means “will not” is “won’t.” -
How do you contract the phrase “can not”?
Answer: The contraction for “can not” is “can’t.” -
What is the full form of the contraction “isn’t”?
Answer: The full form of “isn’t” is “is not.” -
Write a sentence using the contraction “didn’t”.
Answer: I didn’t go to the park yesterday. -
What word do you get by contracting “should not”?
Answer: The contraction of “should not” is “shouldn’t.” -
Which contraction would you use for “were not”?
Answer: The contraction for “were not” is “weren’t.” -
How is “has not” shortened in contraction form?
Answer: “Has not” is contracted as “hasn’t.” -
Write a sentence with the contraction “couldn’t.”
Answer: She couldn’t finish her homework on time.
10 Examination-Style 4-Mark Questions with 6-Sentence Answers on Contractions with ‘Not’ for Year 6 📝📖
Question 1
What is a contraction with ‘not’, and why do we use them in writing and speaking?
Answer:
A contraction with ‘not’ is a shortened form of two words joined together with an apostrophe, where ‘not’ is the second word. We use contractions like “didn’t,” “can’t,” or “won’t” to make sentences sound more natural and to speak more quickly. They help us avoid repeating the word ‘not’ fully each time. In writing, contractions can make the text feel less formal and more conversational. Using contractions correctly shows good understanding of English grammar. It is important to know the proper spelling and meaning when using contractions.
Question 2
List four common contractions formed with ‘not’ and explain the full words they replace.
Answer:
Four common contractions with ‘not’ are “isn’t,” “aren’t,” “doesn’t,” and “won’t.” “Isn’t” replaces the words “is not,” such as in the sentence “He isn’t here.” “Aren’t” stands for “are not,” like “They aren’t ready.” “Doesn’t” means “does not,” for example, “She doesn’t like apples.” Lastly, “won’t” is short for “will not,” as in “I won’t be late.” Each contraction helps shorten the sentence while keeping the meaning clear.
Question 3
How do contractions with ‘not’ affect the tone of a piece of writing or speech?
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ make writing or speech sound more relaxed and informal. For example, saying “He didn’t come” sounds friendlier than “He did not come.” This is useful in storytelling, conversations, and casual writing. In formal writing, like reports or essays, contractions are usually avoided to keep a serious tone. Using contractions shows we can speak fluently and naturally. Understanding when to use contractions helps improve communication effectively.
Question 4
Explain why it is important to use an apostrophe correctly in contractions with ‘not’.
Answer:
The apostrophe in contractions takes the place of the missing letters from the two words joined together. For example, in “can’t,” the apostrophe replaces the “no” in “cannot.” Using the apostrophe correctly helps readers understand that the word is a contraction. If the apostrophe is missing or in the wrong place, the word may be confusing or incorrect. Correct use of apostrophes is part of good spelling and grammar. It also shows respect for the language and helps make your writing clearer.
Question 5
Write a sentence using the contraction “didn’t” and then rewrite the sentence using the full form.
Answer:
The sentence with the contraction is: “She didn’t finish her homework on time.” In the full form, this sentence is: “She did not finish her homework on time.” Both sentences mean the same thing, but the contraction sounds more natural when speaking. The full form is more formal and is often used in writing. Using contractions like “didn’t” helps make conversation quicker and easier. It’s important to choose the correct form depending on the situation.
Question 6
Describe how contractions with ‘not’ are formed from auxiliary verbs and the word ‘not’.
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ usually form by joining an auxiliary or modal verb with the word ‘not’. For example, the auxiliary verb “is” combines with “not” to make “isn’t.” Another example is “have” plus “not,” which becomes “haven’t.” Modal verbs like “will” and “can” form contractions like “won’t” and “can’t” with ‘not’. The apostrophe shows the missing letters where ‘not’ is contracted. This form makes sentences shorter and easier to say or write. Knowing how contractions work helps with grammar and sentence structure.
Question 7
What are some common mistakes students make when using contractions with ‘not’, and how can they be avoided?
Answer:
Common mistakes include forgetting to use an apostrophe, placing it in the wrong place, or confusing the contraction’s meaning. For example, writing “dont” instead of “don’t” is incorrect because it lacks an apostrophe. Another mistake is mixing contractions like writing “wouldn’t” when you mean “couldn’t.” Students can avoid these errors by practising spelling contractions regularly and checking their writing. Using contraction word lists or online tools can also help. Learning the correct contraction for each auxiliary verb is important too.
Question 8
Explain the difference between “can’t” and “cannot” and when it is appropriate to use each form.
Answer:
“Can’t” is the contraction of “cannot” and both mean the same thing: not able to do something. “Can’t” is used in informal writing and speaking to sound more natural and less stiff. “Cannot” is used in formal writing, like essays or reports, where full words are preferred for clarity. Both forms are correct, but choosing the right one depends on the situation. Using “can’t” helps make conversation quicker. Knowing when to use contractions improves your writing style.
Question 9
Create a short paragraph using five different contractions with ‘not’. Identify each contraction and its full form.
Answer:
I couldn’t go to the park yesterday because it wasn’t sunny. My friends said they didn’t want to stay indoors all day, but it wasn’t safe to play outside. I haven’t seen such bad weather in a long time. We won’t leave the house if the rain continues. Hopefully, it won’t last much longer so we can play outside soon.
Contractions used: couldn’t (could not), wasn’t (was not), didn’t (did not), haven’t (have not), won’t (will not).
Question 10
How can practising contractions with ‘not’ improve your writing and speaking skills?
Answer:
Practising contractions with ‘not’ helps you speak more fluently and naturally. It also makes your writing sound friendly and less formal when appropriate. Understanding contractions improves spelling and grammar skills because you learn about apostrophes and word formation. Using contractions correctly shows confidence with the English language. It helps you vary your writing style, switching between formal and informal tones. Regular practice makes you more comfortable using contractions in different situations.
10 Examination-Style 6-Mark Questions on Contractions with ‘Not’ and Detailed Answers 🎓📚
Question 1:
What is a contraction with ‘not’? Explain how it is used in sentences, giving three examples.
Answer:
A contraction with ‘not’ is a shortened form of a verb combined with ‘not.’ It makes sentences quicker and easier to say or write. For example, “do not” becomes “don’t”, “is not” becomes “isn’t”, and “will not” becomes “won’t.” These contractions help make the sentence sound more natural in everyday speech. We use contractions with ‘not’ to show that something is negative or something will not happen. For instance, “I do not like apples” becomes “I don’t like apples,” which means the same but is shorter. Sometimes contractions change the spellings completely, like “will not” becoming “won’t.” Learning contractions helps you understand informal writing better, such as texts or stories. Using them correctly in writing can make your work sound friendly and clear. In formal writing, however, it is better to avoid contractions.
Question 2:
Explain why contractions with ‘not’ are important in writing and speaking. Use examples to support your answer.
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ are important because they make speech and writing sound more natural and less formal. When people talk, they rarely say the full words like “do not” or “cannot,” and instead use “don’t” or “can’t.” This makes conversations quicker and easier. For example, “She does not want to go” sounds more formal than “She doesn’t want to go.” Using contractions can also help readers feel more connected to the writer in stories or dialogues. However, in important documents or essays, contractions might sound too casual. So, they are great for friendly letters or stories but less good for reports or exams. Understanding when to use them shows good knowledge of English. Also, contractions help make writing less repetitive and smoother to read. Overall, they are helpful tools to improve communication.
Question 3:
Describe the difference between “can’t” and “cannot” with examples. Why might you choose one over the other?
Answer:
“Can’t” and “cannot” mean the same thing—they both show that something is not possible or allowed. “Can’t” is the contraction of “cannot” and is used more often in speaking and informal writing. For example, “I can’t swim” is a common way to say you do not know how to swim. “Cannot” sounds more formal or strong, like in the sentence “You cannot enter the room without permission.” We might choose “cannot” in formal writing or when we want to emphasize that something is not allowed. In casual conversations or texts, “can’t” is better because it sounds friendlier and faster to say. Using “cannot” might make your sentence clearer and more serious in some situations. Both forms are correct, but choosing one depends on the context and tone. It’s good to know both to suit different situations.
Question 4:
How do contractions with ‘not’ change when used with different verbs? Give examples with “do,” “is,” and “will.”
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ change depending on the verb they are joined to. For example, with “do,” the contraction is “don’t” which stands for “do not.” With “is,” it becomes “isn’t” for “is not.” For “will,” the contraction is “won’t” which comes from “will not.” Each verb has a special way it combines with ‘not.’ For instance, “I do not like pizza” becomes “I don’t like pizza.” With a sentence like “He is not here,” we say “He isn’t here.” For the future tense, “She will not come” becomes “She won’t come.” We can see that each contraction uses an apostrophe to show letters are missing. These contractions help sentences sound quicker and smoother without changing their meaning. Knowing how to use different contractions is useful in both writing and speaking.
Question 5:
Why are apostrophes important in contractions with ‘not’? Explain with examples and detail what would happen without them.
Answer:
Apostrophes are important in contractions with ‘not’ because they show where letters have been left out. For example, in “don’t,” the apostrophe replaces the “o” in “not.” It helps the reader understand that two words have been joined together. Without the apostrophe, “dont” would look like a different word and confuse readers. In “isn’t,” the apostrophe replaces the “o,” showing it is a contraction of “is not.” Apostrophes help make contractions clear and easy to read. If we remove the apostrophe, sentences might become unclear or look incorrect. For example, “can’t” without an apostrophe looks like “cant,” which is not a word. This helps others understand that the sentence is negative because it includes “not.” Using apostrophes correctly is part of good spelling and punctuation. It also shows you know how contractions work.
Question 6:
Explain the meaning and use of “won’t” and why it is different from other contractions with ‘not.’
Answer:
“Won’t” means “will not.” It is used to talk about something that will not happen in the future. For example, “I won’t go to the party” means “I will not go to the party.” “Won’t” is different from other contractions with ‘not’ because its spelling changes more than just losing letters. Instead of “willn’t,” which sounds awkward, the word changes to “won’t.” This is an irregular contraction. Other contractions like “don’t” or “isn’t” keep the verb the same but lose the “not.” The way “won’t” is formed makes it a bit tricky to learn. However, it is very common in everyday English. Understanding “won’t” helps you talk about the future in a negative way. It is important to use it correctly in your writing and speaking.
Question 7:
Give examples of three sentences using contractions with ‘not’ in negative questions. Explain how they sound compared to the full form.
Answer:
Negative questions with contractions sound more natural and less formal than full forms. For example:
- “Don’t you like ice cream?” instead of “Do you not like ice cream?”
- “Isn’t she coming to the party?” instead of “Is she not coming to the party?”
- “Won’t they join us later?” instead of “Will they not join us later?”
Using contractions in questions makes them sound friendlier and easier to say. The full form sounds more serious and formal. Negative questions with contractions are common in everyday conversations. They let us ask about something with surprise or doubt. They are quicker and more common when speaking. Learning both forms helps you understand formal and informal English. Using contractions in questions is a good skill for Year 6 students to practise.
Question 8:
How can contractions with ‘not’ affect the tone of a text? Describe an example where using a contraction changes the feeling of a sentence.
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ can make the tone of a text sound more relaxed and friendly. For example, the sentence “I do not want to play” sounds more serious and formal. But if you say “I don’t want to play,” it sounds like a normal, casual conversation. Using contractions makes the reader feel more comfortable and included. It can show the writer is being informal and approachable. If someone writes a story or dialogue, contractions help make characters sound like real people talking. However, in reports or essays, avoiding contractions can make the text sound more serious. The choice depends on the purpose of your writing. Knowing how contractions change tone can help improve your writing skills.
Question 9:
Why should contractions with ‘not’ be avoided in formal writing? Give reasons and examples.
Answer:
Contractions with ‘not’ should be avoided in formal writing because formal writing usually needs to sound serious and professional. For example, in a formal letter or essay, writing “do not” instead of “don’t” makes the text clearer and more respectful. Using contractions like “can’t” or “won’t” might seem too casual or lazy. Formal writing expects full forms to keep the right tone and avoid misunderstandings. In exams or school reports, teachers usually prefer formal language. For example, instead of “She doesn’t agree,” you should write “She does not agree.” Avoiding contractions shows you can write correctly for different types of texts. It also helps others take your work seriously. Practising formal writing without contractions is a good habit for Year 6 students.
Question 10:
Create your own sentence using a contraction with ‘not.’ Then rewrite the sentence without the contraction and explain the difference in style.
Answer:
My sentence with a contraction: “He isn’t ready for the test.”
Without the contraction: “He is not ready for the test.”
The first sentence sounds more natural and like spoken English. It is shorter and easier to say. The second sentence sounds more formal and clear. It might be used in writing that needs to be serious or clear, such as a school report. The style changes because the first sentence is friendly and casual, while the second is more careful and formal. Knowing when to use contractions helps you match the style to your audience. It is important to practice both so you can choose the right one when writing.
