Contractions
A contraction joins two words into one shorter form using an apostrophe. They are everywhere in everyday English — knowing when to use them (and when not to) is essential for natural communication.
What is a contraction?
A contraction replaces one or more letters with an apostrophe ('). Most contractions join a pronoun with a verb, or a verb with not.
I am → I'm · do not → don't · cannot → can't · will not → won't
they are → they're · she is → she's · we have → we've
Subject + be contractions
| Full form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I am | I'm | I'm ready. |
| you are | you're | You're going to love this. |
| he / she / it is | he's / she's / it's | She's my best friend. |
| we are | we're | We're ready to start. |
| they are | they're | They're coming tonight. |
Negative contractions (verb + not)
| Full form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| do not / does not / did not | don't / doesn't / didn't | I don't understand. |
| cannot | can't | I can't find my keys. |
| will not | won't | He won't be late. |
| is not / are not | isn't / aren't | That isn't right. |
| have not / has not | haven't / hasn't | I haven't seen it. |
| would not / should not | wouldn't / shouldn't | You shouldn't worry. |
Subject + have / will / would
| Full form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I have | I've | I've finished my work. |
| she had / she would | she'd | She'd already left. |
| we will | we'll | We'll see you tomorrow. |
Irregular form: will not contracts to won't — not willn't. The spelling changes completely. This is the one contraction you simply have to memorise.
When to use contractions
Use contractions freely in everyday speech and informal writing (messages, emails to friends, social media). Avoid them in formal writing — academic essays, official letters, professional reports.
I can't make it tonight — I'm really sorry!
I cannot attend the meeting. I apologise for the inconvenience.
Common confusion: it's (it is / it has) vs its (possessive). they're (they are) vs their (possessive) vs there (place). The apostrophe always signals a contraction — never a possessive pronoun.