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.

Since contractions are not required in English, it is more important to be able to interpret them than to produce them.

Here are the common contractions (Sorted Alphabetically by Contracted Word):

're - Are

• 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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'd - would / had

• I'd put it there - I would put it there / I had put it there

• He'd left it behind - He had left it behind

• I'd trust you if you smiled more - I would trust you if you smiled more

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=='s - is / has==

Don't confuse this with the possessive marker 's!

• Sam's a great friend - He is a great friend

• Sam's found something - He has found something

• Sam's dog is grey - (Sam has a dog, which is grey)

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've - Have

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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's - Is

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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n't - Not

Note: "Shall" and "will" change to "shan't" and "won't" when "n't" is added.

Can't - Cannot

Couldn't - Could not

Didn't - Did not

Doesn't - Does not

Hadn't - Had not

Hasn't - Has not

Haven't - Have not

Isn't - Is not

Oughtn't - Ought not

Shan't - Shall not

Shouldn't - Should not

Wasn't - Was not

Weren't - Were not

Won't - Will not

Wouldn't - Would not

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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!
• Example: They'll start tomorrow - they will start tomorrow

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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!