Contractions

A “contraction” is a word that is made shorter when it is linked to the word that comes before it. For example, “she is nice.” is usually contracted to “she’s nice.” Contractions are a standard part of English speech and they’re used even in very formal situations. Using contractions is not considered sloppy or lazy speech. In fact, if you don’t use contractions, your speech will sound mechanical and foreign and might even give the impression that you are not very fluent in English. For example, you will hear people say, “I’m happy,” rather than “I am happy.” If you do hear “I am happy” it’s usually in response to an opposite statement or question, such as “I don’t think you’re happy.” If the response is “I am happy!” with stress on the word am, the meaning is “I really am happy.”

Another situation in which a contraction may not be used is when a speaker pauses in order to think of what to say next. For example: “I am… happy.”

Note: Do not use contractions in written language, unless the writing is informal.

Commonly Contracted Words

1. The Verb to be
   I’m happy.
   She’s American.
2. Auxiliary Verbs
   These include be, would, will, and have.
   He’s working.
   He’d like to go.
   I’ll call you.
   I’ve been there.
3. The Word not
   Not is contracted when it follows have, be, can, could, should, would, and must.
   I haven’t been there.
   I can’t do that.

Practice with Contractions: will

1. I will do it. I’ll do it.
2. You will like it. You’ll like it.
3. He will call you. He’ll call you.
4. We will take it. We’ll take it.
5. They will see. They’ll see.
6. It will rain. It’ll rain.
7. It will be good. It’ll be good.
8. That will be all. That’ll be all.
9. There will be snow. There’ll be snow.

Practice with Contractions: would

1. I would go. I’d go.
2. I would like some more. I’d like some more.
3. He would go if he could. He’d go if he could.
4. She would understand. She’d understand.
5. We would like to see it. We’d like to see it.

Practice with Contractions: had

Note that this contraction sounds the same as the contraction of would.

1. I had never seen it before. I’d never seen it before.
2. She had known about it. She’d known about it.
3. You had better fix it. You’d better fix it.

Practice with Contractions: have*

1. I have been there. I’ve been there.
2. I have already eaten. I’ve already eaten.
3. We have heard. We’ve heard.
4. They have done it. They’ve done it.
5. I would have done it. I would’ve done it.
6. You should have told me. You should’ve told me.
7. You must have seen it. You must’ve seen it.

*Note: Americans generally contract the verb have only if it functions as an auxiliary verb. For example we say: “I’ve been” and “I’ve heard.” But if have is the main verb, we don’t say, “I’ve a car.” We say, “I have a car.”

Practice with Contractions: has

1. She has left. She’s left.
2. It has been fun. It’s been fun.
3. He has already eaten. He’s already eaten.
4. Who has seen the film? Who’s seen the film?

Practice with Contractions: is

Note that this contraction sounds the same as the contraction of has.

1. He is working. He’s working.
2. She is a teacher. She’s a teacher.
3. It is hot. It’s hot.
4. Sam is American. Sam’s American.
5. Mary is tall. Mary’s tall.
6. Dinner is ready. Dinner’s ready.

Practice with Contractions: am

1. I am fine. I’m fine.
2. I am from Japan. I’m from Japan.

Practice with Contractions: are

1. We are waiting. We’re waiting.
2. We are sorry. We’re sorry.
3. They are leaving. They’re leaving.
4. They are there. They’re there.
5. What are they doing? What’re they doing?
6. When are they coming? When’re they coming?
7. Where are they going? Where’re they going?

Practice with Contractions: not

1. I cannot swim. I can’t swim.
2. I should not go. I shouldn’t go.
3. I do not like it. I don’t like it.

Word Pairs for Practice

These words pairs are pronounced the same.

Practice with Contractions: Common Expressions 

1. How’s it going?
2. What’s up?
3. What’re you doing?
4. What’ve you been up to?
5. What’s the matter?
6. What’ll it be?
7. That’ll be all.
8. It’ll be hot.
9. It’ll be good.
10. It’ll rain.
11. How’ve you been?
12. Where’re you going?
13. Where’s he from?
14. Where’re they from?
15. I’d like that.
16. Who’s calling?
17. What’s new?
18. I’m fine.

Practice Dialogues

Employee Meeting

a. Hi Tom. I’ve got a question. What time’s our meeting?
b. It’ll start at five.
a. Oh great. I’m glad I’ll be able to make it. Who’s coming?
b. Let’s see… Bob’ll be there, John’ll be there and I’ll be there, but Mary won’t make it. She’s out of town.
a. How about Nick?
b. He can’t make it. He said he would’ve come if he’d known about it earlier.
a. Is Vivian coming?
b. She said she’d like to make it, but she’s got a lot of work to do.
a. It’ll only last an hour, won’t it?
b. Yes, we’d better keep it short. Everybody’ll want to go home by six o’clock.

In the Restaurant

a. I’ve been looking forward to eating here.
b. Me too. Everyone’s been talking about this place.
a. What’re you gonna order?
b. I’m hungry. I think I’d like some meat tonight.
c. Hi folks. I’ll be your waitress. Ready to order?
b. Yes, we’re ready.
c. Great. What’ll it be?
b. She’ll have chicken and I’ll have steak. And we’ll both have a glass of red wine.
c. Is that it?
b. That’ll be all.
c. Got it. Your food’ll be ready in a few minutes.

Forgotten Birthday

a. It was my birthday two weeks ago.
b. Oh, I must’ve been too busy to look at my calendar. You should’ve told me. We could’ve celebrated together. I would’ve taken you out to dinner. Or I could’ve at least baked you a cake.

Song Lyrics for Practice

“After You’ve Gone”

After you've gone—and left me crying
After you've gone—there's no denying
You'll feel blue—you're gonna be sad
You've missed the dearest pal that you ever had

There'll come a time—don't forget it
There'll come a time—when you'll regret it
Some day when you’ll grow lonely
Your heart will break like mine—you'll want me only

After you've gone—after you've gone away

(by Creamer/Layton)