Language/English/Grammar/Contractions

Contractions in English

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

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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

Had-

The restaurant didn't take credit cards, but , luckily, I'd just been to the bank, so I had the cash I needed.

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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!

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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!

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Not - n't

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

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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-

Would-

We'd have to move the other boxes before we could reach the one in the back.

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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!

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Finally, I'm sure there are more that I've missed, but these should help get you started on using Contractions in English!