Language/English/Grammar/Contractions
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
~~
'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)
~~
'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
~~
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!