Contractions

POSTIVE
he'd = he had/he would he'll = he will/he shall he's = he is/he has i'd = i had/i would i'll = i will/i shall i'm = i am i've = i have it'd = it had/it would itll = it will it's = it is she'd = she had/she would she'll = she will/she shall she's = she is/she has they'd = they had/they would they'll = they will/they shall they're = they are theyve = they have we'd = we had/we would we'll = we will/we shall we're = we are we've = we have you'd = you had/you would you'll = you will/you shall you're = you are you've = you have

or

Short Forms
NEGATIVE
aren't = are not can't = cannot couldn't = could not didn't = did not doesn't = does not don't = do not hadn't = had not hasn't = has not haven't = have not isn't = is not mustn't = must not needn't = need not shan't = shall not shouldn't = should not wasn't = was not won't = will not wouldn't = would not

Here is a list of most of the contractions used in English speech and informal English writing: QUESTION & OTHER FORMS
couldve = could have here's = here is hows = how is mustve = must have shouldve = should have that's = that is thatll = that will there's = there is thisll = this will what's = what is whens = when is whys = why is who'd = who had/who would who'll = who will/who shall who're = who are *who's = who is

slang aint = am not, is not, are not, have not or has not.

* note: who has = whose not who's

Remember 1: There is a difference between a contraction and a possessive noun.

Possessive Nouns Johns new car The boys ball The dogs bone Andrews exercise book Andrew

The new car belonging to John The ball belonging to the boy The bone belonging to the dog The exercise book belonging to

Contractions Johns happy with his new car John I thought shed told you shed be late would be late The dogs eating its bone I shant be going to class today today

is happy with his new car I thought she had told you she The dog is eating its bone I shall not be going to class

Remember 2: Possessive nouns can be used in formal writing. Remember 3: Contractions are used in speech and in informal writing.

EXERCISE 1: Match up each contraction with its longer form. POSITIVE FORMS (with I, you, we, etc) hell shed itll were theyve Id youd they have you would she had I would we are it will he will NEGATIVE FORM

shant would not wont couldnt wouldnt mustnt shouldnt dont do not shall not should not will not could not must not

EXERCISE 2: Re-read the Short Forms list. Write two sentences using a contraction from the positive and negative columns.

...................................................................................................................... .............................. ...................................................................................................................... ..............................

QUESTION FORMS Hows? Howre? Howd? Howll? Whats? Whatre ? Whatd? Whatll? Whens? Whenre? Whend? Whenll? Whys? Whyre? Whyd? Whyll? Whos? Whore? Whod? Wholl? Wheres? Wherere? Whered? Wherell?

EXERCISE 3: Which question form is missing? 1. .......................... your mother. Is she well? well. 2. 3. ......................... those people? ........................ my car keys? Yes, shes very They are my friends. On the table. I think Ill ask In about 10 minutes,

4. ........................ you invite to the party? Sandra. 5. ....................... the next train due? I think.

Other forms Some auxiliary verbs can be contracted with have (ve). And, in speech only, you will hear native English speakers use double-contractions with not have (ntve). Here are some examples:

Postitive couldve mustve shouldve mightve oughtve/ought tove

Negative couldntve mustntve shouldntve mightntve oughtntve/oughtnt

wouldve

tove wouldntve

Remember 4: You dont need to use these double-contractions, but its important that you can understand them when used by a native English speaker. Herere some examples: o My sister drove in London I couldntve done it!
o

What a lovely gift! But, you shouldntve spent so much!

o My uncle has just bought a new car. It cost him 30,000. I wouldntve paid that!

EXERCISE 4: A bit of fun! Practice using double-contractions. Write what you want to say below and then read it to your partner/teacher. Go for it!

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