Most of the people, while speaking or writing, make use of contractions. They are even commonly used in books and movies to make the characters seem a bit old-fashioned. We have been using contractions right from the beginning. Let’s understand what contractions are in English grammar and how they can be used.
What is a Contraction?
A contraction is a word or phrase in English that has been shortened by dropping one or more letters. While writing, an apostrophe is used to indicate the place of the missing letters.
Generally, we use Contractions in speech (or written dialogue), informal forms of writing, and where space is at a premium, such as in advertising. In very formal writing, such as academic papers, grant proposals, or other works that need to appear professional, you may not want to use contractions at all.
Why Do We Use Contractions?
Contractions can be used regularly while having a conversation or while we are speaking to each other. In this technique, people are under the impression that the contraction is only used for informal writings. In the case of informal writing, we often rely on contractions to maintain a colloquial tone. When talking about formal writing assignments (such as research papers, academic reports, or term papers), avoiding contractions is a way of establishing a more serious tone.
Contractions Words List for Beginners
Let’s see how two long words are contracted to become a single shortened form of the verb. Following are examples of common contractions used in English writing:
| Words or Phrase | English Contractions |
| are not | aren’t |
| cannot | can’t |
| could not | couldn’t |
| did not | didn’t |
| do not | don’t |
| does not | doesn’t |
| had not | hadn’t |
| have not | haven’t |
| he is | he’s |
| he has | he’s |
| he will | he’ll |
| he would | he’d |
| here is | here’s |
| I am | I’m |
| I have | I’ve |
| I will | I’II |
| I would | I’d |
| I had | I’d |
| is not | isn’t |
| it is | it’s |
| it has | it’s |
| it has | it’s |
| it will | it’ll |
| must not | mustn’t |
| she is | she’s |
| she has | she’s |
| she will | she’ll |
| she would | she’d |
| she had | she’d |
| should not | shouldn’t |
| that is | that’s |
| there is | there’s |
| they are | they’re |
| they have | they’ve |
| they will | they’ll |
| they would | they’d |
| they had | they’d |
| was not | wasn’t |
| we are | we’re |
| we have | we’ve |
| we will | we’ll |
| we would | we’d |
| we had | we’d |
| were not | weren’t |
| what is | what’s |
| where is | where’s |
| who is | who’s |
| who will | who’ll |
| will not | won’t |
| would not | wouldn’t |
| you are | you’re |
| you have | you’ve |
| you will | you’ll |
| you would | you’d |
| you had | you’d |
Understanding the Use of Contraction:
- he is = he’s
We remove the i and replace it with an apostrophe.
- I have = I’ve
We remove the h and a and replace them with an apostrophe.
- did not = didn’t
We remove the o and replace it with an apostrophe.
- will not = won’t
We remove the ill and n and replace them with an apostrophe
Sentence Examples using Contractions
Following are sentences made using contractions words:
- They can’t come with us to the store.
- She didn’t want to come with us.
- Don’t you want to come with us?
- He doesn’t have time to come along.
- They hadn’t been to this store before today.
- She hasn’t made up her mind yet.
- I haven’t decided whether I will go or not.
- He isn’t planning to come along.
- You mustn’t stay up past your bedtime.
- You needn’t worry about your friend.
- Children shouldn’t walk to the store alone.
- Tom wasn’t planning to go with us.
- You weren’t at the store when we got there.
- Barbara won’t miss us while we are gone.
- Grandpa wouldn’t let us walk to the store alone.
- Let’s go to the store.
- I’m ready to go now.
- I’ll go to the store tomorrow.
- I’ve been to the store already.
- I’d already been by the time she came, or I’d like to go.
- He’s going to come, or She’s been gone for a while.
- She’d like to come, or He’d been gone for a long time.
- You’re welcome to come along.
- You’ll see her when we go to the store.
- You’d been there before, right? or You’d better leave.
- You’ve been a blessing throughout this situation.
We hope you have got some insight into properly using contractions writing a sentence in English.
Keep exploring EnglishBix to learn more efficient ways to improve the way you write.
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