Basic Grammar A.

4
APPENDICES CONTRACTIONS
In spoken English, we use contractions to make the language more fluent. Contractions are
mainly used in verb forms and in possessive forms.
...m:
...s:

Im a teacher.
(IS)
Hes / Shes / Its coming.
(HAS)
Hes / Shes / Its gone.
(POSSESSIVE) This is Henrys car.
...re: (ARE)
Were / Youre / Theyre here.
...ve: (HAVE)
Weve / Youve / Theyve started.
...d: (HAD)
Id / Youd / Hed / Shed / Itd / Wed / Theyd gone.
(WOULD)
Id / Youd / Hed / Shed / Itd / Wed / Theyd go later.
...ll: (WILL)
Ill / Youll / Hell / Shell / Itll / Well / Theyll do it.
(AM)

NOTE: It is very common to use contractions with other words, especially when speaking:
Whos at the door?
Wheres the flashlight?
Whats he doing?
Whens the party?
What colors your new dress?
Theres a notebook in the drawer.

Be careful:
Students may confuse the contraction its and the possessive adjective its.
This is because their pronunciations are alike. It is through context that you can determine
which one is meant.
Its is a contraction for it is or it has.

Its = It is
Its cold today. (It is cold today)

Its = It has
Its gone away. (It has gone away)

Its is a possessive adjective. We use its for things and animals.

Its = Possessive Adjective

The horse broke its leg.
Our company has its own problems.

B A.4 APPENDICES Contractions

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