LoginContractions For beginners
In this lesson you will learn about contractions like "I'm" and "don't," which combine words. Practice with simple examples and beginner-friendly exercises.
What Are Contractions?
Contractions are shortened forms of words, where two words are combined and some letters are removed.
How to Make Contractions?
To make contractions, a single apostrophe is used in place of the removed letter.
I'm here. → I am here.
She's here → She is here.
When To Use Contractions?
Contractions are used in different contexts. Here are some of the main ones:
Negative Auxiliaries and Modals
'Not' is used to make verbs negative. To use a contracted form of the negative verb, the letter 'o' is removed and an apostrophe is used in its place. This can be done with both modal and auxiliary verbs.
Full form | Contracted form |
|---|---|
are not | aren't |
is not | isn't |
was not | wasn't |
were not | weren't |
do not/does not | don't/doesn't |
did not | didn't |
have not/has not | haven't/hasn't |
had not | hadn't |
Warning!
To use the contracted form of 'I am not', only the 'to be' verb can be contracted, not the negative maker. So the contracted form will be 'I'm not' instead of 'I amn't'.
Modal verbs are also made negative by using 'not'. Like auxiliaries, they can be contracted by removing the letter 'o' from 'not'. For example:
She shouldn't go. → She should not go.
He can't sing. → He cannot sing.
Quiz:
Which is the correct contraction of "we are"?
we'are
were
we're
we'r
Which sentence contains a correct contraction for "is not"?
He isn't tired.
He is not tired.
He'sn't tired.
He isn't not tired.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Fill in the blank with the correct contraction
He
going to the store. (is)
I
believe this is happening. (cannot)
We
going to the park tomorrow. (are)
I
like this movie. (do not)
They
ready to leave now. (are)
She
want to go with you. (does not)
Fill in the table with the correct contracted forms.
| Full form | Contracted form |
|---|---|
I am | |
she is | |
they are | |
are not | |
was not | |
did not | |
have not |
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