iPad Tutorial: Tips to Speed Up Typing on the iPad. How to Get Quick Contractions

Here’s another tip from my eBook iPad Academy: Tips, Tricks and Clever Techniques. You can get a copy of the most recent edition in PDF format for free! Simply sign up in the sidebar on the right. But do it now, because this offer is only good until March 31, just two more days.

Imposter Apostrophe

In landscape mode, your iPad’s onscreen keyboard is nearly the dimensions of a full-size keyboard, but not quite. Certain changes had to be made and one key that’s missing is the key for the apostrophe. Fortunately, the iPad automatically adds the apostrophe to complete most contractions as you type. You tap the space bar to accept it and keep on typing. For example, “dont” becomes don’t, and “Im” becomes I’m.

contraction 1

For those times when the iPad doesn’t help with contractions, there’s still a shortcut. You can find the apostrophe key if you tap the “.?123” button to reveal numbers and additional symbols, but this certainly isn’t convenient or quick. Instead, stay on the regular keyboard and then press and hold the comma key. A pop-up balloon appears with an apostrophe. Release to create the apostrophe.

 

About Andy Brovey

Dr. Andy Brovey, The Portable Prof, teaches about digital tools through his work, websites and social media. In 2007, Apple Inc. recognized his work and named him an Apple Distinguished Educator. He started this iPad Academy website shortly after the first iPad went on sale. On his Freelance Teaching site you'll find the resources you need to teach like a smart entrepreneur.

9 thoughts on “iPad Tutorial: Tips to Speed Up Typing on the iPad. How to Get Quick Contractions”

  • jchecketts

    Can anyone tell me why my keyboard keeps disappearing when I’m in the middle of typing an e-mail or on Facebook? Also, how do I turn on the auto correct that is referred to above? Mine doesn’t correct anything.
    Thanks for your help!

    • Andy Brovey Post author

      Cannot help with disappearing keyboard. As for auto correct, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > and set Auto-Correction to ON.

  • Pankaj

    Hi,
    I would want to type the “apple icon” on my ipad… in my regular work…
    kindly do advise…

    • Andy Brovey Post author

      On the Mac keyboard you use shift + option + k. If the font supports it you get the Apple logo.
      Keyboard on iPad does not have option key though an external bluetooth keyboard may work.
      Take care with using this symbol. As you know, it is an Apple trademark.

    • Andy Brovey Post author

      Did not address use of spacebar In the post above. However, while typing on any iPad you can double tap the space bar to end a sentence and automatically add the period and space after the period.

  • Gary

    > and “Im” becomes I’m.

    Better still… “im” – ie the fully lower-case, occurring in the middle of a sentence, version – is also expanded to “I’m”. You don’t need to pause to capitalise the “i”.

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