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:
What is the correct contraction of "I am"?
I'am
Iam
I'm
Im
Which of these sentences uses the correct contraction?
I amn't going.
They’re not here.
She dont like it.
Were going.
Which is the correct contraction?
He’s not happy with the results.
He isn’t happy with the results.
He’s’nt happy with the results.
1 and 2
Fill in the blanks with the contracted form of the verbs in parentheses to complete the story.
Yesterday, I was at the park with my friend, Sarah. She was excited because (1) she
(be) going to a concert tonight. I asked her if she had any tickets, but she said, “I (2)
(do not) have them yet. I think I’ll buy them later.”
We were talking when her brother, Tom, arrived. He (3)
(did not) want to join us. He said, “(4) I
(be) busy today. I have to study for my exams.” Sarah said, “That’s too bad! You (5)
(should not) miss the concert, Tom.”
Fill in the table with the correct contracted forms.
you are | |
it is | |
we are | |
were not | |
does not | |
should not | |
cannot |
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