Contractions

 Contractions or contracted forms are words that have been shortened. The most common example is the one when we add the auxiliary verb "not" to another auxiliary verb in negative sentences:

• do + not  = don't
• were + not  = weren't
• is + not  = isn't

As you can see, some letters have been missed out and replaced by an apostrophe - that's how contracted forms work.

Of course, contracted forms are by no means limited to the ones with "not". Other words, such as is, are, will, are often contracted.

• we'll  = we will
• he's = he is
• they're = they are

Since there are only a few contractions, you should easily be able to memorize them.

When are contracted forms used?

Contractions are mainly used in speech and informal writing. They should not be used in formal writing, like you can see in the text below:

"The User also agrees that the aforementioned individuals are not responsible for any Internet Usage Fees incurred while using the Site. The User agrees that the aforementioned individuals may not be sued or be held responsible for anything, as this is a free service and use is voluntary. Should the User NOT agree that the aforementioned individuals are removed from all responsibilities, the User should not use the Service."

Contractions and possessive pronouns

Contractions are often confused with possessive pronouns, because of identical pronunciation.

Can you tell me which sentences are correct?

• Their sleeping in a tent today. (a)
• They're sleeping in a tent today. (b)
• Has the lion lost its roar? (c)
• Has the lion lost it's roar? (d)
• It's me! (e)
• Its me! (f)

The correct answers are: b, c, and e.

a and e are contracted forms of the verb to "be", c is a possessive pronoun.

The remaining sentences are incorrect because a possessive pronoun have been used instead of a contracted form, or vice versa.