Contractions

By definition, a contraction is a shortened form of a group of words. Contractions are used in both written and oral
communication. When a contraction is written in English, the omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe.

A contraction is formed by joing two other words.

An apostrophe shows where a letter or letters have been omitted (left out).

Example: it is = it's ( i is omitted).

Exception: won't is an exception. Will not become won't.

Apostrophe-d can replace had, did, or would.

When apostrophe-s replaces is or has

Apostrophe-ve is short for have

aren't ___ are not mustn't ___ must not

can't ___ cannot shan't ___ shall not

couldn't ___ could not she'd ___ she had; she would

didn't ___ did not she'll ___ she will; she shall

doesn't ___ does not she's ___ she is; she has

don't ___ do not shouldn't ___ should not

hadn't ___ had not that's ___ that is; that has

hasn't ___ has not there's ___ there is; there has

haven't___ have not they'd ___ they had; they would

he'd ___ he had; he would they'll ____they will; they shall

he'll ___ he will; he shall they're ____they are

he's ___ he is; he has they've ____they have

I'd ___ I had; I would we'd ____we had; we would

I'll ___ I will; I shall we're ____we are

I'm ___ I am we've ____we have

I've ___ I have weren't ____were not

isn't ___ is not what'll ____what will; what shall

let's ___ let us what're ____what are

mightn't___ might not what's ____what is; what has

what've ____what have won't ____will not

where's ____where is; where has wouldn't ____would not

who's ____who had; who would you'd ____you had; you would

who'll ____who will; who shall you'll ____you will; you shall

who're ____who are you're ____you are

who's ____who is; who has you've ____you have

who've ____who have

You might have noticed that 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!

Exercises

Part 1:

Each of the following sentences can be rewritten to contain one or more contraction(s). Using the provided list as a
reference, re-write the following sentences.

1. I have been studying for hours, but I still do not feel ready for the exam.
2. You were not at the coffee shop yesterday.
3. The paint she picked out was a lovely color, but it did not match the trim.
4. We would go to the beach with you; however, we have got too many chores to do.
5. You should not use contractions in formal writing.

Part 2:

Each of the following sentences contains one or more contraction. Re-write each sentence, replacing any contractions
with the groups of words they represent.

1. I can’t go with you because I’m busy that day.

2. It’s clear that the dog is frightened because it keeps placing its tail between its legs.
3. They’ve been trimming the trees at the park since this morning; I haven’t been able to sleep since they started.
4. You mustn’t pester your grandmother like that.
5. She’ll bring Jonathan with her if he’s willing to chip in for gas.

ANSWERS:

Part 1: 1.) I’ve, don’t 2.) weren’t 3.) didn’t 4.) We’d, we’ve 5.) shouldn’t

Part 2: 1.) cannot, I am 2.) It is 3.) They have, have not 4.) must not 5.) She will, he is