How to Use Contractions in English

In English, contractions are very common in informal language. This is the union of two words, usually a noun or a pronoun with a verb, where the disappearance of one or more letters is indicated by the use of the apostrophe.

Contractions are used with auxiliary verbs and with to be and to have even when they are not being used as auxiliary verbs. Let’s take a look at all the examples of contractions in order.

Not

Is not = Isn’t
Has not = Hasn’t
Had not = Hadn’t
Did not = Didn’t
Would not = Wouldn’t
Cannot = Can’t
Could not = Couldn’t
Have not = Haven’t
Must not = Mustn’t
Shall not = Shan’t
Should not = Shouldn’t
Was not = Wasn’t
Were not = Weren’t
Will not = Won’t

Examples

I can’t believe you didn’t pass the exam.

She isn’t well this morning.

I wouldn’t go if I were you.

Is

She is = She’s
There is = There’s
He is = He’s
It is = It’s
Anne is = Anne’s
Jimmy is = Jimmy’s
Who is = Who’s

Examples

There’s a nice beach around this area.

She’s my mother in law.

Who’s your history teacher?

Am

I am = I’m

Example

I’m feeling better than yesterday.

Will

I will = I’ll
You will = You’ll
She will = She’ll
We will = We’ll
They will = They’ll

Examples

I’ll go by myself.

They’ll visit us this weekend.

Would

I would = I’d
You would = You’d
He would = He’d
We would = We’d
They would = They’d

Examples

We’d love to come to Spain with you.

I’d prefer to study French.

Have

The verb to have can be contracted both when acting as an auxiliary and when it is simply performing the function of a verb.

I have = I’ve
You have = You’ve
We have = We’ve
They have = They’ve
He has got = He’s got
It has happened = It’s happened

Examples

We’ve a lot to do.

Mary asked me why you’ve not come.

Are

You are = You’re
They are = They’re
We are = We’re

Examples

We know Judy and Mark. They’re our classmates.

This pizza is not tasty. You’re absolutely right!

Beware of Mistakes

Some forms of contractions can be confused with homophones (which have the same sound). Below, we will give you some examples to help you avoid mistakes.

Its or it’s?

My coat is dirty, its collar has a spot.

It’s a beautiful sunny day.

If you have doubts about which form to use, try replacing the word with it is or with it has. If the sentence makes sense, then the correct form is it’s. Do the same with the words you will find below, making sure you always replace one word with another of the same grammatical category, for example, verb with verb, adverb with adverb, pronoun with pronoun.

You’re or your?

You’re my best friend.

Your skirt is really nice.

Who’s or whose?

Who’s your favourite actor?

Whose shoes are these?

They’re, their, or there?

They’re very close to each other.

Their car is new.

There’s a bike in the garden.

Your car is over there.

Now that you know the contractions in English, you will no longer have problems with the apostrophe and will know how to write informally. If there are other aspects of English grammar that you would like to know better or if you want to improve your conversation skills in English, why not try our online course? We offer 144 free video classes and the same number of short films to help you learn to speak English in a natural and grammatically correct way. Why not start right now?