Contractions

A contraction (short form) is a shortened form of a word: one from which one or more letters have been left out.

In spoken English we usually pronounce words such as I am as I'm; it is as it's; we are as we're etc

In written English, the apostrophe ( ' ) is used to replace the missing letters.

 

is = 's

are = 're

am = 'm

will = 'll

would = 'd

has = 's

have = 've

had = 'd

Here are some examples of sentences using short forms:

I'm – I am

I'm eating chocolate. (I am eating chocolate.)

 

it's – it is

What colour is your new car?

It's blue. (It is blue)

 

can't – can not

I can't find my English folder. (I can not find my English folder)

 

aren't – are not

We aren't going on holiday this year. (We are not going on holiday this year)

 

won't – will not

Will you be going to Marcia and Tom's party?

No, I won't. I'm working. (No I will not. I am working)

 

I'll – I will

I'll go shopping tomorrow. (I will go shopping tomorrow)

 

we'll – we will or we shall

When are you going on holiday?

We'll be leaving on the 21st of August. (We will be leaving on the 21st August)

 

he'll – he will

Do you think he'll be home soon? (Do you think he will be home soon?)

 

she'll – she will

I hope she'll like her birthday present. (I hope she will like her birthday present.)

 

they've – they have

They've joined the bowling club. (They have joined the bowling club)

 

she'd – she would or she had

I wish she'd told me about her problems. (I wish she had told me about her problems)

 

she'd've – she would have. This has two apostrophes because letters have been left out from two places.

If she'd know about their cheap flights to America, she'd've booked her holiday with BA. (If she had known about their cheap flights to America, she would have booked her holiday with BA.)

 

We do not use the short forms 's, 're, 'm, 'll, 'd,  's, and 've at the end of sentences.

For example:

'Have you been to California?'

'Yes, I have' not 'Yes, I've'.

 

In standard English, most contractions involve verbs, but you can also use short forms with other words.

For example:

• Who'll be coming to your party? (Who will be coming to your party?)
• What's the time? (What is the time?)
• Where've you put the newpaper? (Where have you put the newspaper?)
• When's Bob's birthday? (When is Bob's birthday?)
• There's a fly in my soup. (There is a fly in my soup)
• What time's the next bus? (What time is the next bus?)
• My car's blue. (My car is blue)
• My daughter's passed her exams. (My daughter has passed her exams)

 

Image by Jimmie