Contractions are also called shortcuts. It is a word formed by shortening.

Typically, it combines two words-nouns and verbs.

Generally, people use contractions in both speaking and writing.

Rule: To write contraction, we must use an apostrophe (‘)

I am = I’m
You are = You’re
He is = He’s
She is = She’s
It is = It’s
We are = We’re
They are = They’re

I am not = I’m not
You are not = You’re not/You aren’t
He is not = He’s not/He isn’t
She is not = She’s not/She isn’t
It is not = It’s not/It isn’t
We are not = We’re not/We aren’t
They are not = They’re not/They aren’t

Examples

Can + not = We can’t come today because of the rain.

Do + not = You don’t need to cook. We will bring food.

I + have = I’ve been a student at Yale for 4 years now.

Could + not = They couldn’t play outside because it was snowing.

You + will = You’ll be expected to make a speech at the conference.

We + are = We’re siblings. We live in Buea city.

She + is = She’s my younger sister.

Exception

The word won’t is a little different from the other contractions. It means will not, even though the word will isn’t there. This is because won’t is based on a much older form of the word will. Even though the word changed, the contraction stayed the same!

Contractions can be used in both formal and informal writing, including academic papers for the former and newspapers, fiction, and instructions for the latter. They make texts simpler and easier to read.

Use the following contractions to make sentences

did + not = didn’t

does + not = doesn’t

it + is = it’s

they + will = they’ll

might + have = might’ve

where + is = where’s

To do more grammar exercises, please go here.