Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Contractions"
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Here are the common contractions | Here are the common contractions: | ||
=='re - Are== | =='re - Are== |
Revision as of 15:52, 15 February 2021
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:
'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
~~
'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
~~
'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)
'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!
~~
'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!
~~
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
~~
'll - Will
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
~~
Finally, I'm sure there are more that I've missed, but these should help get you started on using Contractions in English!