The Handy Guide to English Contractions

This lesson is all about understanding and using contractions in English, an essential skill for effective communication. Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases, often used in everyday speech and writing. By mastering contractions, you'll sound more natural and fluent in English. This lesson will guide you through the most common contractions, their usage, and practical applications.

 A comprehensive lesson on English contractions, perfect for learners seeking to speak and write more fluently and naturally in English.

Learning Objectives:
  1. Identify and understand common English contractions.
  2. Learn the rules for creating contractions.
  3. Apply contractions correctly in everyday English.

Part 1: Understanding Contractions

  1. Contraction Basics: A contraction is two words joined together, with some letters replaced by an apostrophe. Example: "do not" becomes "don't."
  2. 'Not' Contractions: Common in negatives. Example: "cannot" becomes "can't."
  3. 'Would,' 'Will,' and 'Have' Contractions: Used for future and perfect tenses. Example: "would have" becomes "would've."

 

List of Common Contractions:

  • I am: I'm (Example: I'm excited.)
  • You are: You're (Example: You're welcome.)
  • He is/He has: He's (Example: He's going.)
  • She is/She has: She's (Example: She's seen it.)
  • It is: It's (Example: It's cold.)
  • We are: We're (Example: We're happy.)
  • They are: They're (Example: They're here.)
  • Do not: Don't (Example: Don't worry.)
  • Will not: Won't (Example: I won't go.)
  • Can not: Can't (Example: I can't find it.)
  • Had not: Hadn't (Example: He hadn't known.)
  • Would not: Wouldn't (Example: She wouldn't tell.)

Part 2: Advanced Contractions and Usage

  1. 'Had' and 'Would' Contractions Often look similar. Example: "He had" and "He would" both become "He'd."
  2. 'Has' and 'Is' Contractions Can be the same. Example: "She has" and "She is" both become "She's."

More Examples:

  • I had/I would: I'd (Example: I'd seen/I'd like.)
  • You had/You would: You'd (Example: You'd forgotten/You'd enjoy.)
  • We had/We would: We'd (Example: We'd heard/We'd go.)
  • They had/They would: They'd (Example: They'd found/They'd agree.)
  • Could have: Could've (Example: I could've gone.)
  • Should have: Should've (Example: You should've called.)
  • Would have: Would've (Example: He would've known.)

 

A large list of contractions

  1. I am: I'm
  2. You are: You're
  3. He is: He's
  4. He has: He's
  5. She is: She's
  6. She has: She's
  7. It is: It's
  8. We are: We're
  9. They are: They're
  10. Do not: Don't
  11. Will not: Won't
  12. Can not: Can't
  13. Could not: Couldn't
  14. Should not: Shouldn't
  15. Would not: Wouldn't
  16. Have not: Haven't
  17. Has not: Hasn't
  18. Had not: Hadn't
  19. I have: I've
  20. You have: You've
  21. He has: He's
  22. She has: She's
  23. We have: We've
  24. They have: They've
  25. I will: I'll
  26. You will: You'll
  27. He will: He'll
  28. She will: She'll
  29. We will: We'll
  30. They will: They'll
  31. I had: I'd
  32. You had: You'd
  33. He had: He'd
  34. She had: She'd
  35. We had: We'd
  36. They had: They'd
  37. I would: I'd
  38. You would: You'd
  39. He would: He'd
  40. She would: She'd
  41. We would: We'd
  42. They would: They'd
  43. Who would: Who'd
  44. That is: That's
  45. Here is: Here's
  46. There is: There's
  47. What is: What's
  48. Who is: Who's
  49. Is not: Isn't
  50. Are not: Aren't
  51. Were not: Weren't
  52. Was not: Wasn't
  53. Did not: Didn't
  54. Could have: Could've
  55. Should have: Should've
  56. Would have: Would've
  57. Who have: Who've
  58. I will: I'll
  59. He will: He'll
  60. She will: She'll
  61. Who will: Who'll
  62. We will: We'll
  63. They will: They'll
  64. There is: There's
  65. Here is: Here's
  66. Who has: Who's
  67. Where has: Where's
  68. He is: He's
  69. She is: She's
  70. Who is: Who's
  71. I am: I'm

 

Summary and Takeaways

In this lesson, we've explored the essential world of English contractions. These shortened forms of words are not just a grammar point but a key to sounding more natural and fluent in English. Remember that contractions are often used in informal writing and speech. Practising them will help you understand native speakers better and make your English sound more natural. Keep practising by reading and listening to English media, and pay attention to how contractions are used in different contexts.

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