What can this mean?

Question

"The plane's flying from Washington to London"

My daughter was told in an English lesson (at a French school) that the apostrophe and the "s" stands for the word "is".
So the phrase would read "The plane is flying from Washington to London".

Is this right? or can it be interpreted differently?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Lionel In ParisIs this right?

Yes, that's right.

Lionel In Pariscan it be interpreted differently?

I see no possibility if that is the complete sentence. Do you?

Lionel In Paris · Answer

When I first read it I got the idea that it could mean more than one plane is flying, then I got myself confused.....

Though if it were more than one plane it would be “The planes are flying”.....

Maybe I have never thought of the “ 's ” as meaning “is”...I just read and understand, never really tried to analyse it before.

I must stop thinking this early in the morning....I'm sure that's it.....

Thanks

BaliLuv · Answer

Hi Lionel In Paris,
The apostrophe "s" in English can be very confusing!
There are two uses for the apostrophe: when we want to show a contraction with is, and when we want to show possession. You can recognize the difference between the two based on what kind of word follows the noun with the apostrophe.

In your example:
"The plane's flying...." The noun is followed by a verb+ing- when the noun is followed by a verb+ing and there is an apostrophe "s" it means the contraction for is:
She's jumping (She is jumping)
He's leaving (He is leaving)

Don't confuse this with the use of the gerund though:
Alex's skating was amazing! (possession)
Alex is skating was amazing! (incorrect)

The verb+ing is being used as a noun here (gerund) and the apostrophe "s" is showing possession.

A good way to test whether or not the apostrophe "s" is being used as a contraction or to show possession is to replace it with the word is and see if it makes sense! An apostrophe "s" will never be used to make a noun plural, only an "s" by itself.
The cars are blue (more than one car-plural)
The car's blue. (The car is blue)
The car's headlights don't work. (The headlights belong to the car- showing possession)

I hope this doesn't confuse you more!!

Mister Micawber · Answer

BaliLuvThere are two uses for the apostrophe: when we want to show a contraction with is, and when we want to show possession.

Don't forget John's been seeing another woman.

BaliLuv · Answer

Mister MicawberDon't forget John's been seeing another woman.

Yes! Thanks Mister Micawber.
Apostrophe "s" can be used for the contraction of has.
"John's been seeing another woman (John has been seeing another woman)

What can this mean?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions