Hack of the week: Make love to your apostrophe

When I’m using my smartphone, I almost develop a facial tick whenever I’m typing a word that needs an apostrophe. Usually, I’m on the go and want to minimise keystrokes and tap out a super quick message. But then comes a word that needs an apostrophe like:

  • I’ll
  • He’ll
  • We’re
  • We’ll

And I’m torn between my need for speed (which would result in words like “ill, hell, well, and were”) … and my inner editor, who simply cannot bear the thought of someone reading sentences littered with such crimes to punctuation.

But then I discovered this hack. You may already know it. When I discovered it, the angels sang, the sun emerged from the clouds and stress immediately left by body. (I know, dramatic, but true).

So what is it?

If you’re typing a word like he’ll … type the last letter twice (in this case the letter l).

You’ll find that your smartphone recognises that there’s meant to be an apostrophe in there and inserts it.

It works for all those other pesky words like she’ll, we’ll, we’re, and I’ll too.

Screenshot of an iPhone note displaying the difference between hell and he'll

Now you can sleep tonight.

Browse posts by category
Browse posts by category

Start Writing Fiction

Creative Writing Stage 1

Our most popular writing course. Learn characters, scenes, dialogue and storytelling fundamentals in just five weeks.

Find out more 

Follow a Clear Path

AWC Creative Writing Program

From your first story idea to a polished manuscript, our five-course pathway shows you what to do next.

Explore the program

Build Specific Skills

Fiction Essentials

Strengthen characterisation, dialogue, point of view, scenes, structure, grammar and punctuation with focused short courses.

See all Fiction Essentials

Write for Young Readers

Writing for Children of different ages

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade or YA – discover the course that matches the stories you want to write.

 View children’s writing courses