What are contractions in English? - eAge Tutor
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What are contractions in English?

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In English language, contractions are mostly used in written English. Basically, the word ‘contract’ means squeeze two words together with the use of an apostrophe which is placed where a letter has been omitted. Remember, there is a difference between contractions and abbreviations. An abbreviation is a shorten form of words which starts from the initial letter of the word but contraction is shortening of words and joining them using apostrophe.

Contractions in english

First we’ll see the words which we can write and speak as well after contracting it.

1. I’m- I am

E.g.
I’m in the meeting now.


2. We’re- We are; You’re – You are; They're- They are

E.g.
You’re my best friend.

You’re the brightest student of our college.

3. He is-He's; She is- She's

E.g. He’s a man of principles.
She’s fulfilled the task successfully.

4. I’ve- I have; You've- you have

E.g. I’ve an iPhone.

I’ve received a birthday invitation from Ms. Komal.

5. I‘d: I had / I would


E.g. I’d gone to my native place.

For meeting, everyone’d come in proper formal wear with blazer.

6. I’ll- I will; He'll- He will

E.g. I’ll come to your place.

They’ll reach  the destination at 2 pm.

7. I’mn’t: I am not

E.g. I’mn't coming for lectures.

I’mn't able to find the secret behind this case.

8. You’ren’t- You are not

E.g. You’ren’t an eligible candidate for this exam. OR You’re not an eligible candidate for this exam.

They’ren’t ready to accept this statement.

9. Won’t- will not

E.g. I won’t be able to attend the seminar on Saturday.

He won’t be able to sing a song due to his illness.

10. Let’s- let us

E.g. Let’s have a dinner together.

Let’s go for a long journey in this summer vacation.

Along with these, we can use following list of words in the form of contractions:
Can’t, Didn’t, We’ve, They’ve, She’s, They’d, Should’ve, Could’ve, Mightn’t, Couldn’t and so on.

There are more words which can be contracted but those words are generally used in informal way of communication.

1. Wanna: want to

E.g. Do you wanna come with us for the late-night party.
I just wanna go for a picnic.

2. Gonna: going to

E.g. These days I am just gonna crazy for singing.
Today, I am now gonna make a desert.

3. Gimme: give me

E.g. Gimme some money so that I will invest it in a good scheme.
God, gimme my childhood days once again.

4. Kinda: kind of

E.g. This kinda plants are available near riverside.
In a garden, various kinda flowers were spread all around.

5. Gotta: got a/got to

E.g. I have got a new bag today.
Yeah! Today I gotta new cellphone.

6. Ya: you

E.g. Ya are looking so cute. OR Ya’r looking so cute.
Ya’ve that new style of dress. I’ve seen.

7. Whatcha: What are you

E.g. Whatcha doing in this summer vacation?
Whatcha planning this weekend?

This way contractions have become an essential part of our daily communication.

Hope the above explanation has helped you understand the concept of contraction and how it can be implemented in spoken English communication.

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