Contractions
When to Use
Contractions
Contractions' grammar is correct when used in spoken
English and informal written.
Special Points to Remember:
1.
The
verb 'be' as a principal verb can also be contracted
2.
's
can stand for 'is' in the present and present continuos or 'has' in the present
perfect
3.
'd
can stand for 'had' in the past perfect or 'would' in conditional forms
4.
The
modal 'may not' is not usually contracted
Contractions' grammar concerns auxiliary verbs.
Contractions are formed by shortening auxiliary
verbs.
Examples:
1.
They
are going to meet their friends in St. Louis.
They're going to meet their friends in St. Louis.
They're going to meet their friends in St. Louis.
2.
She
is not a teacher.
She isn't a teacher.
She isn't a teacher.
l Present Continuous
-> is / am / are:
We
are watching TV.
We're watching TV.
We're watching TV.
l Present Perfect - have
/ has:
Susan
has not visited her friends for a long time.
Susan hasn't visited her friends for a long time.
Susan hasn't visited her friends for a long time.
Who
has been invited to the party?
Who's been invited to the party?
Who's been invited to the party?
l Present tenses ->
do / does:
She
does not work at the supermarket.
She doesn't work at the supermarket.
She doesn't work at the supermarket.
l Past tenses -> did:
Mary
bought a new coat last week.
They
did not attend the meeting.
They didn't attend the meeting.
They didn't attend the meeting.
l Future tenses ->
will:
He
will help you with your homework.
He'll
help you with your homework.
l Present Continuous
-> is / am / are:
Where
is Tom working today?
Where's Tom working today?
Where's Tom working today?
Exercise
1.
Tom
is going to come.
_________________________________________________________________
2.
They
will not understand this problem.
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3.
Alexander
has played the guitar for many years.
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4.
Henry
is not working at the moment.
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5.
We
will not have time to complete the project.
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6.
She
had not finished breakfast before he arrived.
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