Contractions in the English Language

In the English language, like in many other languages, we frequently shorten some combination of words when we speak. When we write, we substitute the missing bits with an apostrophe. Below is a list of the most commonly used contractions in English with their usage.

WORDS

CONTRACTED FORM

USAGE

I am

I’m

I’m going to the music class.

You are

You’re

You’re late again.

He is

He’s

He’s a good man.

She is

She’s

She’s going to learn English.

It is

It’s

It’s raining today.

We are

We’re

We’re very tired.

They are

They’re

They’re not coming to our house tomorrow.

I have

I’ve

I’ve enough work for today.

You have

You’ve

You’ve got my bag.

We have

We’ve

We’ve decided to go for vacation.

They have

They’ve

They’ve gone to meet their grandparents.

I will

I’ll

I’ll complete the assignment tonight.

You will

You’ll

You’ll have to come for the party.

He will

He’ll

He’ll be coming back in fifteen minutes.

She will

She’ll

She’ll be happy to see you.

They will

They’ll

They’ll be coming here tomorrow.

Are not

Aren’t

We aren’t sure about the route.

Cannot

Can’t

I can’t solve this puzzle.

Should not

Shouldn’t

We shouldn’t enter the building after dark.

Must not

Mustn’t

You mustn’t be late for work.

Could not

Couldn’t

We couldn’t find your house.

Did not

Didn’t

He didn’t complete his homework.

Do not

Don’t

I don’t know his address.

Had not

Hadn’t

I hadn’t studied for the English examination.

Have not

Haven’t

I haven’t seen him for months.

Will not

Won’t

I won’t be going to the tennis court today.

Would not

Wouldn’t

It wouldn’t have been worth the effort.

What is

What’s

What’s the time?

What are

What’re

What’re you doing here?

Who is

Who’s

Who’s coming with us?

Who are

Who’re

Who’re the people standing outside your house?

Where is

Where’s

Where’s the coffee shop?