What are Contractions in Writing?
Contractions in Writing: Definition and Types
What are Contractions in Writing?
In English grammar, contractions are the combination of two words such as noun + auxiliary as in John’s free after lunch. or subjective pronoun + auxiliary as in I’m happy.
Contractions are also known as short forms because the process of contraction makes two words shorter in form by giving them the shape of one word.
As the use of contractions in English is an informal style, they’re only used in informal situations like everyday conversation and casual or informal writing.
Types of Contractions in English
The following are the types of contractions in English based on what type of words are contracted with what type of words.
1. Nouns + Auxiliary Verbs
In this type of contraction, a noun, either common or proper, is contracted with an auxiliary or helping verb.
Examples:
My father’s very happy today.
James’ll be shocked at this news.
2. Subjective Pronouns + Auxiliary Verbs
This type of contraction occurs in English when subjective pronouns such as I, They or He are contracted with auxiliary or helping verbs.
Examples:
Listen to what I’m saying.
He’ll go to the market at 10 o’clock.
3. Adverbs + Auxiliary
Adverbs like now, here and there are contracted with auxiliary verbs in this type of contracted construction.
Examples:
Now’s your turn to jump into the river.
Here’s the key. Take it and unlock.
There’re 20 students in this class.
4. WH Words + Auxiliary Verbs
Question words starting with WH such as who, how, where, etc., are contracted with auxiliary verbs in such kind of structure.
Examples:
Who’s your father?
How’s your holiday?
Where’s my bag?
5. Auxiliary verbs + Not
This type of contraction combines an auxiliary verb with not.
Examples:
He isn’t our teacher.
They aren’t happy.
I won’t attend the class today.
6. Informal Contractions
Informal contractions are the short forms people often use in informal communication. Contraction of a gerund with a preposition is form of informal contractions.
Examples:
She is gonna reveal the truth. (going to)
I wanna know about it. (want to)
You hafta speak to learn to speak. (have to)
7. Poetic Contractions
Poetic contractions are the two words that are combined for the purpose of maintaining meter and rhythm in poems.
Examples:
“And in his rising, seem’d a pillar of state.” (John Milton)
Tis sweet to think, that, where’er we rove, we are sure to find something blissful and dear. (Thomas Moore)
8. Preposition + Objective Pronouns
This contraction occurs when an objective pronoun is contracted with a preposition.
Examples:
We’re going to give it to’em. (to them)
I’ve taken it from’er (from her)
How to Make Contractions in Writing?
To successfully form contractions in writing, all you need to do is to follow the below-given process.
1. Pick up two words from the above-mentioned type.
2. Omit some certain letters particularly from the second word.
3. Merge the two words and make them as one word.
4. Use apostrophe (') to indicate omitted letters.
How to Make Contractions in Speaking?
1. To make contractions in speaking, you need to follow the same process of contraction in writing.
2. Additionally, you need to focus on the pronunciation of the contracted words how they are pronounced in speaking when they are merged.
3. Moreover, as far as contraction in speaking is concerned, informal contractions are used in it. So you need to look for informal contractions used by the native speakers of English.
Don’t Use Contractions in Formal Writing.
It's believed that contraction is not standard. Therefore, contraction is used in informal writing and speech only.
As far as formal writings is concerned, contractions are not employed in them in order to maintain the standard of formal communication.
Avoid This while Forming Contraction in English
1. Don't contract three words.
Example:
He'sn't happy today. (wrong)
He's not happy today (right)
2. Don't contract Am with Not
Example:
I amn't happy. (wrong)
I'm not happy. (right)
3. Don't contract two words in a sentence spoken in affirmation.
Example:
Person A: I think you're a lawyer.
Person B: Yes, I'm. (wrong) Yes, I am. (right)
List of Contractions in Writing
Isn't = Is not
Aren't = Are not
Hasn't = Has not
Haven't = Have not
Didn't = Did not
Wasn't = Was not
Weren't = Were not
Hadn't = Had not
Won't = Will not
Shan't = Shall not
Can't = Can not
Couldn't = Could not
Wouldn't = Would not
Mightn't = Might not
Mustn't = Must not
Needn't = Need not
Daren't = Dare not
Wanna = Want to
Gonna= Going to
Tryna = Trying to
Kinda = Kind of
Gotta = got to
They're = They are
I'm = I am
She's = She is
To'em = To them
Seem'd = Seemed
I'll = I will
y'll = You will
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