A contraction usually combines two words together to form a shorter word. An apostrophe replaces the missing letters.
Contractions are commonly used in everyday speech. They convey a casual, informal tone, when speaking or in a piece of writing.
Let’s look at some examples, starting with the word let’s:
Let's - Let us
The contraction let's combines the two words let us.
The apostrophe replaces the letter u, which is omitted.
Meaning - The word let's is used to communicate a suggestion or a request that involves you and another person or other people, for example:
Let's read a book together.
Let's look at more examples!
I'm - I am
The contraction I'm combines the two words I am.
The apostrophe replaces the letter a, which is missing.
Example: I'm an awesome reader!
We'll - We will
The contraction we'll combines the two words we will.
The apostrophe replaces the two letters w and i.
Example: We'll drop by the shop to pick up a treat.
It'd - It would
The contraction it'd combines the two words it would.
The apostrophe replaces the four letters w, o, u and l.
Example: I wore long sleeves because I thought it'd be cooler.
Other interesting examples:
can't - cannot
The contraction can't shortens the single word cannot.
The apostrophe replaces the letters n and t.
Example: I can't finish my meal. I am full!
won't - will not
The contraction won't is short for the two words will not.
It may have originated from a word no longer used -wonnot, which meant will not. This contraction doesn't follow the usual pattern, as the middle letters o and n are not in the correct order, as seen in the two words 'will not'.
Example - He won't be on time, as he missed the bus.
20 more contractions
I'd - I would
I'll - I will
I've - I have
it's - it is
it'll - it will
we'd - we would
that's - that is
there's - there is
they'd - they would
they're - they are
aren't - are not
he'll - he will
she'll -she will
they'll - they will
he's - he is
she's - she is
what'll - what will
what's - what is
should've - should have
would've - would have
