Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Contractions"
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==Not - n't== | ==Not - n't== | ||
Can't - Cannot | |||
Couldn't - Could not | Couldn't - Could not |
Revision as of 16:15, 10 July 2018
Contractions are used to shorten words by adding a suffix to a word, usually beginning with an apostrophe, which will indicate expanded meaning to a word.
Common Contractions (Sorted Alphabetically by Contracted Word)
Are - 're
They're - They are
We're - We are
Where're - Where are
What're - What are
Why're - Why are
How're - How are
~~
Had - 'd
I'd - I had
You'd - You had
He'd - He had
She'd - She had
It'd - It had
You'd - You had
We'd - We had
They'd - They had
- Example: The restaurant didn't take credit cards, but , luckily, I'd just been to the bank, so I had the cash I needed.
~~
Have - 've
Could've - could have
I've - I have
Should've - should have
They've - They have
Would've - would have
You've - You have
- Example: I could've gone to the gym, I should've gone to the gym, and I would've gone to the gym, but I didn't. Now I've gained weight!
~~
Is - 's
Note: This contraction can be particularly difficult to learn for non-native speakers. Don't worry, with exposure and time you will learn how to apply it properly!
He's - He is
How's - How is
It's - It is
She's - She is
What's - What is
When's - When is
Where's - Where is
Who's - Who is
Why's - Why is
- Example:
Person 1 - What's up? How's it going?
Person 2 - It's not bad. I'm just tired because of my baby. She's crying all night long, preventing me from sleeping!
- Tough Example:
Person 1 - What is that dog doing? Why is it running in circles like that?
Person 2 - It's chasing its own tail!
Note that in this case, "it's" means it is, while the possessive "its" does not use an apostrophe. This is one of the most common mistakes made by English speakers, even natives!
~~
Not - n't
Can't - Cannot
Couldn't - Could not
Doesn't - Does not
Hasn't - Has not
Haven't - Have not
Isn't - Is not
Wasn't - Was not
Weren't - Were not
Wouldn't - Would not
~~
Would - 'd
I'd - I would
You'd - You would
He'd - He would
She'd - She would
It'd - It would
You'd - you would
We'd - we would
They'd - they would
- Example: We'd have to move the other boxes before we could reach the one in the back.
~~
Will - 'll
He'll - He will
I'll - I will
It'll - It will
She'll - She will
They'll - They will
We'll - We will
You'll - You will
What'll - What will
- Example: Tomorrow I'll go to the store, because my refrigerator is almost empty!
~~
Finally, I'm sure there are more that I've missed, but these should help get you started on using Contractions in English!