Contractions are a unique type of word that combines two or more other words in a shortened form, usually with an apostrophe. They take words that usually go together, like can not or I have, and then remove certain letters to shorten them and make other words, like can’t or I’ve.
Understanding how to use contractions correctly can enhance the flow and tone of your writing. In this article, we will explore the definition and guidance on how to use contractions effectively and provide examples to help you incorporate them into your writing with confidence.
What Are Contractions In Writing?
Contractions are a kind of abbreviation that combines two or more words by removing certain letters and usually adding an apostrophe. Only certain words can be contracted: typically small and common words (not, is/are), especially pronouns (I, he/she/it, they), and modal verbs (can, will, might, must, should, would, could).
Despite representing multiple words, contractions operate as singular words. It is important to note that contractions follow a specific spelling, and combining words arbitrarily is not permissible. However, caution is advised, as two different contractions can share the same spelling, as seen in examples like “I would” and “I had,” both contracted as “I’d.”
In sentence structure, contractions act in the same way as the words that make them.
I do not understand how to use contractions.
I don’t understand how to use contractions.
The purpose of contractions is to streamline communication and save time. By omitting letters and consolidating multiple words into a single unit, your writing (as well as speech) becomes more concise and, consequently, more impactful. Contractions are frequently used in informal conversations such as emails, text messages, or social media posts but are discouraged in formal writing contexts like academic papers.
Specific word combinations are designated for contractions, and attempting to create new ones is not advisable. A list of acceptable contractions is provided below for reference.
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How To Use Contractions In Writing
Contractions are an incredibly useful way to save time in both writing and speech, but there are a lot of rules about when and how to use them (for example, in formal writing they’re considered inappropriate). We’ll clear up the confusion and explain how to use contractions in writing.
Here’s a quick list of the grammar rules for contractions.
1. Don’t use contractions in formal writing
Contractions are regarded as informal language, predominantly used in spoken communication and casual written exchanges. Consequently, they are inappropriate in formal writing contexts such as academic papers or research reports. To determine whether contractions are suitable, you can refer to a comparison between formal and informal writing found here.
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2. Negative contractions are typically used with tag questions
Tag questions are declarative statements with a question “tagged on” at the end that asks if someone agrees.
The weather is hot today, isn’t it?
When the declarative segment of a sentence is affirmative, the corresponding question part is formulated as negative, and conversely. In instances where the tag question is negative, a contraction is employed. If the main verb is “be,” the verb in the tag question should align, as illustrated in the example using “is” and “isn’t.” If the declarative statement features a main verb other than “be,” the tag question utilizes a negative contraction formed with “do” and “not.”
She loves you more than me, doesn’t she?
3. Some contractions are colloquial
You may have heard some people use contractions like amn’t or ain’t, but these are not common. Like slang, some contractions are common in particular geographical regions or cultures. These are known as colloquialisms, and colloquial contractions may not be understood by everyone because they’re technically not proper English.
Specifically, the contraction amn’t is used mostly in Scottish and Irish English, while the contractions ain’t and y’all are used mostly in regional American English.
4 Don’t confuse contractions with possessives.
Apostrophes are common in both contractions and possessive nouns, which can get confusing. To make matters worse, possessive nouns in English use ’s, just like many contractions. If you’re confusing contractions and possessives, it can help to take a look at their context.
The university’s recruited archaeologists to help with the dig.
[The university has recruited . . .]
The university’s archaeologists help with the dig.
[The archeologists of the university help . . .]
Another potentially confusing area is possessive pronouns, which can sound the same as some contractions. In these cases, just remember that possessive pronouns do not use an apostrophe, so if you see what looks like a possessive pronoun with an apostrophe, it’s actually a contraction.
it’s -> it is
its -> possessive of it
they’re -> they are
their -> possessive of they
who’s -> who is
whose -> possessive of who
she’s -> she is
her -> possessive of she
5. In American English, don’t use contractions with has/have to express possession
Have and has are two of the most common words in contractions, whether they’re preceded by subjects (we’ve, it’s) or phrased as negatives (haven’t, hasn’t). However, have and has can be used as contractions only when they’re modal verbs, another name for helper verbs. When have or has is used as a main verb with the meaning “to own, possess, or hold,” they cannot be used as contractions.
I’ve a dog at home.
I’ve owned dogs since I was a kid.
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6. In American English, avoid subject contractions in the negative present perfect tense
There’s another rule about contractions, again particular to American English, related to subject contractions in the present perfect tense (used for past actions that are related to or continue into the present). When the present perfect tense is used in the negative, it’s incorrect to use a subject contraction like she’s or I’ve. Instead, you should use the subject followed by the contractions haven’t or hasn’t.
I’ve not even gotten dressed yet!
I haven’t even gotten dressed yet!
7. Contractions with nouns are less common in writing than in speech
While contractions with pronouns are typical in both speech and informal writing, contractions with other nouns are more exclusive to speech than to writing.
When speaking directly to someone, you might say something like, “My friend’ll be here soon” or “Jonah’s on his way,” but in writing these are considered too informal (unless they’re part of dialogue). It’s best to avoid contractions like these in all forms of writing.
8. It’s best to avoid double contractions in writing
Another type of contraction that’s fine in speech but not in writing is the double contraction, such as I’d’ve for I would have or mustn’t’ve for must not have. While these are technically acceptable in casual conversations, they look awkward and should be avoided in all forms of writing (again, unless they’re part of dialogue).
Examples of Contraction Word List
Common contraction word list
| Contraction | Meaning |
| could’ve | could have |
| he’d | he had, he would |
| he’ll | he will |
| he’s | he has, he is |
| here’s | here is |
| how’d | how did, how would |
| how’ll | how will |
| how’re | how are |
| how’s | how has, how is |
| I’d | I had, I would |
| I’ll | I will |
| I’m | I am |
| I’ve | I have |
| it’d | it had, it would |
| it’ll | it will |
| it’s | it has, it is |
| let’s | let us |
| might’ve | might have |
| must’ve | must have |
| she’d | she had, she would |
| she’ll | she will |
| she’s | she has, she is |
| should’ve | should have |
| somebody’s | somebody has, somebody is |
| someone’s | someone has, someone is |
| something’s | something has, something is |
| that’d | that would |
| that’ll | that will |
| that’s | that has, that is |
| there’s | there has, there is |
| there’re | there are |
| these’ll | these will |
| these’re | these are |
| they’d | they had, they would |
| they’ll | they will |
| they’re | they are |
| they’ve | they have |
| this’ll | this will |
| this’s | this has, this is |
| those’ll | those will |
| we’d | we had, we would |
| we’ll | we will |
| we’re | we are |
| we’ve | we have |
| what’d | what did |
| what’ll | what will |
| what’re | what are |
| what’s | what has, what is |
| what’ve | what have |
| when’d | when did |
| when’s | when has, when is |
| where’d | where did |
| where’ll | where will |
| where’re | where are |
| where’s | where has, where is |
| where’ve | where have |
| which’s | which has, which is |
| who’d | who did, who had, who would |
| who’ll | who will |
| who’re | who are |
| who’s | who has, who is |
| who’ve | who have |
| why’d | why did |
| why’re | why are |
| why’s | why has, why is |
| would’ve | would have |
| you’d | you had, you would |
| you’ll | you will |
| you’re | you are |
| you’ve | you have |
Negative contraction word list
| aren’t | are not |
| can’t | can not |
| couldn’t | could not |
| didn’t | did not |
| doesn’t | does not |
| don’t | do not |
| hadn’t | had not |
| hasn’t | has not |
| haven’t | have not |
| isn’t | is not |
| mustn’t | must not |
| shouldn’t | should not |
| wasn’t | was not |
| weren’t | were not |
| won’t | will not |
| wouldn’t | would not |
FAQs On What Is A Contraction In Writing
A contraction in writing is a shortened form of two words, created by combining them and omitting certain letters, often replaced by an apostrophe. For example, “can’t” is a contraction of “cannot.”
Contractions are used in writing to convey a more conversational and informal tone. They are common in everyday language and help to mimic the rhythm of spoken communication in written form.
Contractions contribute to a more relaxed and approachable tone in writing. They make the text sound less formal and more conversational, enhancing the connection between the writer and the reader.
Conclusion
Contractions are a common aspect of written English that can help make your writing sound more natural and conversational. Always employ the right contractions in your writing to drive the message in the best way possible.