What is a contraction?
A contraction is a short way of writing two words as one. Some letters are removed, and an apostrophe (‘) takes their place.
- do not → don’t (the o is gone)
- I am → I’m (the a is gone)
- she will → she’ll (the w and i are gone)
- they have → they’ve (the h and a are gone)
The apostrophe goes exactly where the letters were removed, not where the two words meet. Do not becomes don’t, not do’nt.
Common contractions
With not
These are called negative contractions.
| Long form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| is not | isn’t |
| are not | aren’t |
| was not | wasn’t |
| do not | don’t |
| does not | doesn’t |
| did not | didn’t |
| have not | haven’t |
| could not | couldn’t |
| should not | shouldn’t |
| cannot | can’t |
| will not | won’t |
Won’t is unusual: it comes from an old form, wol not. Can’t drops an n and an o from cannot.
With am, are, is
| Long form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| I am | I’m |
| you are | you’re |
| we are | we’re |
| they are | they’re |
| he is / she is / it is | he’s / she’s / it’s |
| that is | that’s |
| what is | what’s |
With will, would and have
| Long form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| I will | I’ll |
| you will | you’ll |
| I would / I had | I’d |
| I have | I’ve |
| would have | would’ve |
| could have | could’ve |
Contractions that look alike
Some contractions sound exactly like other words. Mixing them up is one of the most common writing mistakes.
| Contraction | Means | Sound-alike | Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| it’s | it is / it has | its | belonging to it |
| you’re | you are | your | belonging to you |
| they’re | they are | their / there | belonging to them / a place |
| who’s | who is | whose | belonging to whom |
Test: Say the two long words. If it is fits, write it’s. If not, write its.
The cat licked (it’s / its) paw. → The cat licked it is paw? No → its.
Possessive pronouns like its, yours and theirs never use an apostrophe.
"Would of" is not a word
People say would’ve, could’ve and should’ve so quickly that they sound like would of. The correct long forms are would have, could have and should have.
When to use contractions
Contractions sound natural and friendly. They are perfect for informal writing: stories, dialogue, texts, friendly letters and emails to friends.
In formal writing, such as essays, reports and job applications, many teachers prefer the full forms: do not, cannot, it is.
Worked examples
Example 1: Write the contraction. we have → we’ve.
Example 2: Write the long form. shouldn’t → should not.
Example 3: Choose. (Your / You’re) going to love this. → You’re (you are).
Common mistakes
- do’nt ✗ → don’t ✓ (apostrophe goes where the letter was)
- it’s tail ✗ → its tail ✓
- should of ✗ → should have or should’ve ✓
- they’re house ✗ → their house ✓
Try it yourself
- Make contractions: he will, are not, I would, let us.
- Write the long forms: we’re, didn’t, that’s, won’t.
- Choose: (Who’s / Whose) backpack is this?
- Fix it: Its going to rain, so bring you’re umbrella.
Answers: 1. he’ll, aren’t, I’d, let’s. 2. we are, did not, that is, will not. 3. Whose. 4. It’s going to rain, so bring your umbrella.
Tip for families
Make contraction "surgery" cards. Write do not on a strip of paper. Let your child cut out the o in not, glue the pieces together and draw the apostrophe where the letter used to be. It makes the idea of "missing letters" very concrete.
Quick recap
- A contraction joins two words and drops letters.
- The apostrophe marks where letters are missing.
- Watch out for it’s/its, you’re/your, they’re/their, who’s/whose.
- Use contractions in informal writing; consider full forms in formal writing.