Contractions

The English language is filled with contractions that are usually used when speaking and rarely when writing proper English. They are abbreviated ways of using auxiliary verbs and are very common as is evident by the examples below:

Positive Contractions

I’m — I am — Example: I’m holding my breath.

I’ll — I will — Example: I’ll call you in a few minutes.

I’d — I had / I would — Example: I’d keep quiet if I were you. OR I’d mentioned the new restaurant already.

I’ve — I have — Example: I’ve had a long day.

You’re — You are — Example: You’re lying about your age.

You’ll — You will — Example: You’ll never be that young again!

You’d — You had / would — Example: You’d paid before he offered to pay. OR You’d better pay before he sees the bill.

You’ve — You have — Example: You’ve heard that song a couple of times before.

He’s — He is / has — Example: He’s on the plane to London. OR He’s been collecting stamps since he was a little boy.

He’ll — He will — Example: He’ll call you when he gets home.

He’d — He had / would — Example: He’d made plans with his friends. OR He’d rather finish this book before starting a new one.

She’s — She is / has — Example: She’s helping in the kitchen. OR She’s got a lot of courage!

She’ll — She will — Example: She’ll tell you all about it.

She’d — She had / would — Example: She’d worked on the presentation with him. OR She’d have liked for him to thank her.

It’s — It is / has — Example: It’s a good day to be outside. OR It’s been a long day for both of them.

It’ll — It will — Example: It’ll arrive before 10:30 a.m.

It’d — It would / had — Example: It’d have been done by eight. OR It’d expired by then.

We’re — We are — Example: We’re the champions of our baseball league.

We’ll — We will — Example: We’ll arrive by noon.

We’d — We had / would — Example: We’d checked into the hotel by then. OR We’d have eaten by then.

We’ve — We have — Example: We’ve had our eye on that property.

They’re — They are — Example: They’re joining us later.

They’ll — They will — Example: They’ll tell you the rest of the story.

They’d — They had / would — Example: They’d finished dinner before the waiter came. OR They’d never admit to that.

They’ve — They have — Example: They’ve helped me a lot.

There’s — There is / has — Example: There’s food in the pantry. OR There’s been some noise today!

There’ll — There will — Example: There’ll be a wonderful band at the wedding.

There’d — There had / would — Example: There’d better be good food at the party. OR There’d never be a resolution if they both continued to yell.

That’s — That is / has — Example: That’s very easy to do. OR That’s got my name on it.

That’ll — That will — Example: That’ll be more fun than you expect.

That’d — That had / would — Example: That’d better happen early. OR That’d never take place in this town.

Negative Contractions

aren’t — are not — Example: They aren’t eating together.

can’t — can not — Example: I can’t fool you.

couldn’t — could not — Example: She couldn’t find her glasses.

didn’t — did not — Example: We didn’t understand the argument.

doesn’t — does not — Example: It doesn’t work without batteries.

don’t — do not — Example: You don’t have to write anything.

hadn’t — had not — Example: She hadn’t bought her ticket yet.

hasn’t — has not — Example: He hasn’t decided on the dates yet.

isn’t — is not — Example: He isn’t going to blame you.

mustn’t — must not — Example: You mustn’t gossip.

needn’t — need not — Example: You needn’t cook anymore.

shouldn’t — should not — Example: He shouldn’t spread rumors.

wasn’t — was not — Example: He wasn’t amused by the joke.

weren’t — were not — Example: We weren’t planning on going.

won’t — will not — Example: He won’t help you.

wouldn’t — would not — Example: You wouldn’t be happy if I told you what she said.