Contractions

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.

2.      She is not a teacher.
She isn't a teacher.

l   Present Continuous -> is / am / are:

We are 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.

Who has 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.

l   Past tenses -> did:

Mary bought a new coat last week.

They did not 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?

Exercise

1.      Tom is going to come.

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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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