Contractions word for they would

What is the contraction word of they would?

they’d – they had; they would. they’ll – they will; they shall. they’re – they are. they’ve – they have. we’d – we had; we would.

What is the short form of they would?

short form of they would: They’d love to see the film.

Is they’d a proper contraction?

Contraction of they would. They had. Contraction of they had. …

What 2 words make they d?

contraction of they had. contraction of they would.

How do you stop contractions in writing?

1. Avoid using contractions in formal writing. A contraction is a combination of two words as one, such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t.” The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal legal writing. Replace them with the two-word version of the contraction.

Do not use contractions in writing?

Contractions are a part of informal writing. Thus, avoid contractions in scholarly writing, except for under the following circumstances: Scientific writing should be formal but it doesn’t have to be stuffy. It is okay to have a moment of informality as long as the overall tone is appropriately formal.

Why you should not use contractions in formal writing?

Generally speaking, avoid contractions in formal writing, such as business letters, essays, technical papers, and research papers. In any professional writing that’s meant for an audience of your peers, contractions lessen the impact of your words and may lead to your ideas/research not being taken seriously.

What is contraction examples?

A contraction is a word made by shortening and combining two words. Words like can’t (can + not), don’t (do + not), and I’ve (I + have) are all contractions. People use contractions in both speaking and writing.

What are contractions give 5 examples?

For example, we may say she’s instead of she is, or they’re instead of they are. These words are called contractions….Contraction Examples: Am Is Are.

I am – I’m You are – you’re
He is – he’s She is – she’s
It is – it’s We are – we’re
They are – they’re

How many contractions are there?

Contraction words are made out of common words, and there are a little over 90 standard contractions.

How can you tell the difference between a possessive noun and a contraction?

The possessive form is, for example, “your,” “their,” and “its,” whereas the contractions would be “you’re,” “they’re,” and “it’s.” Remember, the possessive form of a word shows ownership or possession of something. A contraction is a shortened combination of two ordinarily separate words and contains an apostrophe.

What do all contractions have in common?

A contraction is a shortened form of a word (or group of words) that omits certain letters or sounds. In most contractions, an apostrophe represents the missing letters. The most common contractions are made up of verbs, auxiliaries, or modals attached to other words: He would=He’d. I have=I’ve.

What is the contraction for might not?

mightn’t

What mean possessive?

1 : being or belonging to the case of a noun or pronoun that shows possession “His” is a possessive pronoun. 2 : showing the desire to possess or control : unwilling to share. possessive. noun. Kids Definition of possessive (Entry 2 of 2)

Is possessiveness a sign of love?

Initially, possessiveness is interpreted as a sign of love, but when it becomes a persistent and negative trait, you begin to see cracks in the relationship. It’s a relationship that’s doomed to failure.

Is possessiveness good or bad?

Possessiveness stems from distrust, insecurities, control issues and nothing about it, in any form, is healthy or desirable. Like a man calling and messaging his woman incessantly to find out where she is and what time she is returning. Protective is when you respect your woman, and possessive is when you distrust her.

Is someone’s possessive?

The possessive adjective for someone.

Is someone’s correct?

Someone’s can mean someone is or be the possessive form of someone. You can typically figure it out given the context. In your context it means someone is and it should be clear to most, if not all, native speakers. It is a standard form and entirely grammatical.

What is the possessive form of somebody?

With a compound word or phrase, form the possessive by adding an apostrophe and an –s to the last word. Add an apostrophe and an –s to form the possessive of the pronouns anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody. Anyone’s guess is as good as mine.

Is there an apostrophe in someone’s?

Rule 1: For singular nouns, indefinite pronouns (e.g. anybody, someone, nobody) and words already ending in s, place the apostrophe before the s when indicating ownership. Rule 2: For plural nouns ending in s, place the apostrophe after the s when indicating ownership. ü The students’ essays were impressive.

Is it Chris’s or Chris ‘?

The truth is that Chris takes just an apostrophe only if you follow the rules in the The Associated Press Stylebook. In other style guides, Chris takes an apostrophe and an s: Chris’s.

Where do you put the apostrophe in someone’s name?

Names are pluralized like regular words. Add -es for names ending in “s” or “z” and add -s for everything else. When indicating the possessive, if there is more than one owner add an apostrophe to the plural; if there is one owner, add ‘s to the singular (The Smiths’ car vs. Smith’s car).

Where does the apostrophe go in peoples?

Put the apostrophe after the last letter. The last letter is “e.” So: people’s.

What is correct James or James’s?

James’s car or James’ car? Actually, both ways are correct. If a proper name ends with an s, you can add just the apostrophe or an apostrophe and an s. See the examples below for an illustration of this type of possessive noun.

What does S apostrophe mean in English?

When you use an apostrophe before the ‘s’ it is to show singular possession. That means one person owns an object or an idea or an emotion. Sometimes you’ll see an extra ‘s’ on the end with an apostrophe and sometimes you won’t. Both “Mr. Jones’s car” and “Mr.

What does apostrophe mean in English?

(Entry 1 of 2) : a mark ‘ used to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case (as in “John’s book”), or the plural of letters or figures (as in “the 1960’s”) In the contraction “can’t,” the apostrophe replaces two of the letters in the word “cannot.”.

What does apostrophe look like?

The apostrophe (‘ or ‘) is a punctuation mark, and sometimes a diacritical mark, in languages that use the Latin alphabet and some other alphabets. In English, it is used for four purposes: The marking of the omission of one or more letters, e.g. the contraction of “do not” to “don’t”.

Table of Contents

  1. What is the contraction word for they will?
  2. What is they would as a contraction?
  3. Is I’ve a contraction?
  4. When should you not use contractions?
  5. Is it OK to use contractions?
  6. When should I use contractions?
  7. Is using contractions unprofessional?
  8. Why using contractions is bad?
  9. How do you stop contractions?
  10. Should you avoid contractions in college essays?
  11. Does a bad college essay matter?
  12. Can I use we in a college essay?
  13. Is it okay to use contractions in essays?
  14. Is Don’t a contraction?
  15. When should contractions be used in academic writing?
  16. Is Cannot a contraction?
  17. What is the contraction of hasn t?
  18. Can not or Cannot UK?
  19. What does Cannot mean?
  20. Can’t wait to see you definition?
  21. What can I say instead of I can’t wait?
  22. What can I say instead of can’t wait to see you?
  23. Is it weird to say can’t wait to see you?
  24. Can’t wait to see you message for her?
  25. Can’t wait to or too?
  26. What does it mean when a girl says cant wait to see you?
  27. How do you respond to I’ll be waiting?
  28. Can’t wait to see you guys Meaning?

List of Common Contractions

Contraction Word Base Words
they’re they are
they’d they would
they’ll they will
they’ve they have

What is they would as a contraction?

contraction of they had. contraction of they would.

Is I’ve a contraction?

What are contractions? A contraction is a word made by shortening and combining two words. Words like can’t (can + not), don’t (do + not), and I’ve (I + have) are all contractions. People use contractions in both speaking and writing.

When should you not use contractions?

Generally speaking, avoid contractions in formal writing, such as business letters, essays, technical papers, and research papers. In other words, don’t use contractions in any academic writing unless you’re directly quoting someone or in a passage that contains contractions.

Is it OK to use contractions?

It’s acceptable to use contractions for informal writing, such as a newspaper article, but less so in formal writing, such as an essay for a college course. Traditionally, use of contractions has been strictly forbidden in academic writing. You might remember a teacher at some point who told you never to use them.

When should I use contractions?

We use contractions (I’m, we’re) in everyday speech and informal writing. Contractions, which are sometimes called ‘short forms’, commonly combine a pronoun or noun and a verb, or a verb and not, in a shorter form. Contractions are usually not appropriate in formal writing.

Is using contractions unprofessional?

Yes. In formal written English, contractions should not be used. Avoid using contractions in formal writing. A contraction is a combination of two words as one, such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t.” The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal writing.

Why using contractions is bad?

Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications: “Avoid contractions. As basic as contractions are to the native reader, they add unnecessary complexity for the non-native reader. For example, contractions that end in ‘s can be mistaken for possessive nouns, and the ‘s can be read as either has or is.”

How do you stop contractions?

1. Avoid using contractions in formal writing. A contraction is a combination of two words as one, such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t.” The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal legal writing. Replace them with the two-word version of the contraction.

Should you avoid contractions in college essays?

Academic essays are supposed to be composed in formal English. Contractions are applied in informal writing and speech and most instructors don’t approve their application in essays, especially application essays. Contractions should also be avoided in journal and business articles.

Does a bad college essay matter?

It might not make a difference for your college admission chances. Yet even in these middling cases, personal essays rarely got even cursory attention from admissions officers. There were simply too many files to consider in too small a time frame, and too many other evaluative factors that mattered much more.

Can I use we in a college essay?

As we said, feel free to use “I” or “we” in your college essays. This is your story, so tell it. But it would be very rare for you to have a reason to address the admissions officer directly, unless you are somehow writing a note to a specific person. They expect you to write about yourself, not tell them what to do.

Is it okay to use contractions in essays?

Yes. The MLA allows contractions in its publications. In professional scholarly writing, sometimes a formal tone is desired, but often a more conversational approach is taken. Contractions may not be suitable for all types of formal writing—like a research paper, where protocols for formal writing are being learned.

Is Don’t a contraction?

Don’t is the standard contraction for do not.

When should contractions be used in academic writing?

Contractions, in which two words are shortened and combined into one word (e.g., “I’m” and “isn’t”), are usually reserved for informal communication. Since academic writing typically has a formal style, contractions should generally be avoided. Instead, spell out the words in full: “I am” and “is not”.

Is Cannot a contraction?

Can’t is a contraction of cannot, and it’s best suited for informal writing. In formal writing and where contractions are frowned upon, use cannot.

What is the contraction of hasn t?

This is an explanatory supplement to the Wikipedia:Manual of Style guideline.

Contraction Meaning
hasn’t has not
haven’t have not
he’d he had / he would
he’ll he shall / he will

Can not or Cannot UK?

Cannot is a contraction of can not. In British English cannot is the normal form. In American English both forms are acceptable but cannot is more common. In American English both forms are acceptable but cannot is more common.

What does Cannot mean?

: can not. cannot but or cannot help but or less commonly cannot help. : to be unable to do otherwise than we cannot but wonder why I cannot help feeling sorry for them.

Can’t wait to see you definition?

to be very excited about something and eager to do or experience it: I can’t wait to see you.

What can I say instead of I can’t wait?

What is another word for can’t wait?

look forward to covet
expect hanker after
hanker for pine after
pine for yearn for
be unable to wait for hope for

What can I say instead of can’t wait to see you?

List search

4 »i’m counting down the days exp.
2 »i miss you so much exp.
2 »i miss your smile exp.
1 »can’t breathe without you exp.
1 »i feel sad without you exp.

Is it weird to say can’t wait to see you?

In most practical circumstances, there’s really no ambiguity. The “can’t wait to” part is a longstanding English idiomatic expression meaning so very eager (to see, to eat, to fly, to do something) that the person is raring to go do it (i.e. cannot literally wait any longer).

Can’t wait to see you message for her?

I carry you on my heart throughout the day without getting burned out, but I can’t still wait to see you, baby, because your presence means everything to me. I want to spend every day of my life with you. I can’t wait to kiss your lips and wrap my arms around you. You are special and I can’t wait to be with you again.

Can’t wait to or too?

This is not correct. Don’t use this phrase. The word “too” is not used in negative constructions.

What does it mean when a girl says cant wait to see you?

If a girl says I can’t wait to see you “ it means just that. Maybe you are or were friends and you haven’t connected lately. It doesn’t necessarily mean she has feelings for you or had feelings for you. She just looks forward to seeing you soon.

How do you respond to I’ll be waiting?

I would say, ‘I await your reply’ (very formal). Or ‘I look forward to your reply’ (appropriate in formal settings, more casual).

Can’t wait to see you guys Meaning?

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The contraction for «they would» is «they’d,» which is also the
contraction for «they had.»

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In English grammar, we might use the contracted form of a verb when we are speaking or writing informally.

Let’s look at a list of contracted forms of verbs (with their expanded form) so you know how to use them:

Contracted Forms of Verbs List

What is the contracted form of a verb?

A contraction is a shortened form of a verb that is used when two words are combined to form one.

This involves removing one or more letters and adding an apostrophe to create a new word. For example, “I am” becomes “I’m.”

When are contracted forms used?

Contracted forms are used frequently in everyday spoken language and informal written language, such as e-mails and text messages.

They cannot be used in formal, academic writing, or professional documents where each word needs to be spelled out completely.

The following is a list of common contracted forms of verbs:

  • I am – I’m
  • I am not – I ain’t
  • Let us – Let’s
  • I will – I’ll
  • We will – We’ll
  • I would – I’d
  • We are – We’re
  • You will – You’ll
  • You would – You’d
  • He is – He’s
  • She is – She’s
  • It is – It’s
  • She has – She’s
  • He has – He’s
  • It has – It’s
  • We have – We’ve
  • They have – They’ve
  • Where is – Where’s
  • Who is – Who’s
  • There is – There’s
  • They are – They’re
  • They will – They’ll
  • Might have – Might’ve
  • Must have – must’ve

Negative Common Contractions

  • Is not – Isn’t
  • Are not – Aren’t
  • Can not – Can’t
  • Was not – Wasn’t
  • Could not – Couldn’t
  • Did not – Didn’t
  • Have not – Haven’t
  • Had not – Hadn’t
  • Has not – Hasn’t
  • Should not – Shouldn’t
  • Would not – Wouldn’t
  • Were not – Weren’t
  • Will not – Won’t

While contracted forms of verbs are usually informal in nature, it is always best to use the full form in a formal context.

Contractions With The Verb HAVE

Here are some shortened forms of the verb “have.”

  • I have – I’ve
  • You have – You’ve
  • He has – He’s
  • She has – She’s
  • It has – It’s
  • We have – We’ve
  • They have – They’ve
  • I have not – I haven’tI’ve not
  • You have not – You haven’t – You’ve not
  • He has not – He hasn’t – He’s not
  • She has not – She hasn’t – She’s not
  • It has not – It hasn’t – It’s not
  • We have not got – We haven’t – We’ve not
  • They have not got – They haven’t – they’ve not

The contracted form “haven’t” is more common than the contraction with not. However, this may vary depending on the region you are living.

Example sentences:

We have not met. We’ve not met (less common). We haven’t met (more common).

Contractions With The Verb HAVE (Past Form)

  • I had – I’d
  • You had – You’d
  • He had – He’d
  • She had – She’d
  • It had – It’d
  • We had – We’d
  • They had – They’d
  • I had not – I hadn’t – I’d not
  • You had not – You hadn’t – You’d not
  • He had not – He hadn’t – He’d Not
  • She had not – She hadn’t – She’d Not
  • It had not – It hadn’t – It’d Not
  • We had not – We hadn’t – We’d Not
  • They had not – They hadn’t – They’d Not

In American English, instead of saying:

“I have a new toy” they prefer to say, “I’ve got a new toy.” This is informal. However, “I’ve a new toy” is also correct; it’s just less common.

However, “has” can never be contracted when it’s the main verb in the sentence and in the third person present tense (he, she, it).

For example:

  • She has food.

“She’s food.” This is incorrect. Instead, we can say, “She’s got food”

  • He has a bicycle.

“He’s a bicycle.” This is incorrect. Instead, we can say, “He’s got a new bicycle.”

However, if “have” is the auxiliary (helping) verb, then we can contract the verb:

  • He has arrived.

“He’s arrived.” This is correct, as the main verb is “arrive” and not have.

  • It has snowed.

“It’s snowed.” This is correct as the main verb is “snow” and not have.

Contractions With The Verb BE

  • I am – I’m
  • You are – You’re
  • He is – He’s
  • She is – She’s
  • It is – It’s
  • We are – We’re
  • They are – They’re
  • There is – There’s
  • How is – How’s
  • What is – What’s
  • Where is – Where’s
  • Here is – Here’s
  • You are not – you aren’t – you’re not
  • He is not – he isn’t – he’s not
  • She is not – she isn’t – she’s not
  • It is not – it isn’t – it’s not
  • We are not – we aren’t – we’re not
  • They are not – they aren’t – they’re not

The contracted form “isn’t/aren’t” and “not” are used interchangeably and you will hear both said.

If you want to emphasize that you are not involved in something, you might be more inclined to use the “not” contracted form when speaking, although either contracted form is perfectly fine.

For example, “she’s not a liar.”

Contractions with the Verb BE (Past Form)

  • I was not – I wasn’t
  • You were not – You weren’t
  • He was not – he wasn’t
  • She was not – she wasn’t
  • It was not – it wasn’t
  • We were not – we weren’t
  • They were not – they weren’t

You can also use the contracted form with a noun, for example, “the dog’s on the sofa” (the dog is on the sofa) and “Alice’s here” (Alice is here).

Again this is informal and is more common when speaking.

Contractions with the verb DO

  • I do not – I don’t
  • You do not – You don’t
  • He does not – He doesn’t
  • She does not – She doesn’t
  • We do not – We don’t
  • They do not – They don’t

Contractions with the Verb DO (Past Form)

  • I did not – I didn’t
  • You did not – You didn’t
  • He did not – He didn’t
  • She did not – She didn’t
  • It did not – It didn’t
  • We did not – We didn’t
  • They did not – They didn’t

Contractions With The Modal Verb WILL

  • I will – I’ll
  • He will – He’ll
  • She will – She’ll
  • It will – It’ll
  • We will – We’ll
  • They will – They’ll
  • I will not – I won’t – I’ll not
  • He will not – He won’t – He’ll not
  • She will not – She won’t – She’ll not
  • It will not – It won’t – It’ll not
  • We will not – We won’t – We’ll not
  • They will not – They won’t – They’ll not

Nowadays, most people say “won’t” instead of “not.

For example,

  • “I’ll not go to the dance.” (old-fashioned; not common)
  • I won’t go to the dance.” (more common)

Contractions with the modal verb WOULD

  • I would – I’d
  • He would – He’d
  • She would – She’d
  • It would – It’d
  • We would – We’d
  • They would – They’d
  • I would not – I wouldn’t – I’d not
  • He would not – He wouldn’t – He’d not
  • She would not- She wouldn’t- She’d not
  • It would not – It wouldn’t – It’d not
  • We would not – We wouldn’t – We’d not
  • They would not – They’d not- They’d not

“I’d not” is grammatically correct but sounds odd to native English speakers as it is not used. It is most more common to say I wouldn’t, he wouldn’t, she wouldn’t, etc.

Contractions with the modal verb WOULD (Past Form)

  • I would have – I would’ve – I’d have
  • You would have – You would’ve – You’d have
  • He would have – He would’ve – He’d have
  • She would have – She would’ve – She’d have
  • It would have – It would’ve – It’d have
  • We would have – We would’ve – We’d have
  • They would have- They would’ve – They’d have
  • I would not have – I wouldn’t have- I’d not have
  • He would not have – He wouldn’t have- He’d not have
  • She would not have – She wouldn’t have- She’d not have
  • It would not have – It wouldn’t have- It’d not have
  • We would not have – We wouldn’t have- We’d not have
  • They would not have – They would’ve – They’d not have

“I’d not have” is grammatically correct but sounds strange to native English speakers as it is not spoken. It is most more common to say I wouldn’t have, he wouldn’t have, she wouldn’t have, etc.

Short Forms of Other Modal Verbs

The modals can, may, must, should, and can also be contracted when used as auxiliaries. For example, “He can’t do it,” “She shouldn’t have come,” and “I wouldn’t have done it.”

  • Cannot – Can’t
  • Can Not Have – Can’t’ve
  • Must not – Mustn’t
  • Must not have – Mustn’t’ve
  • Should not- Shouldn’t
  • Should not have – Shouldn’t’ve
  • Shall not – Shan’t
  • Shall not have – Shalln’t’ve
  • Used not – Usen’t – Usedn’t
  • Could not – Couldn’t
  • Could not have – Couldn’t’ve
  • Might not – Mightn’t
  • Might not have – Mightn’t’ve
  • Ought not to – Oughtn’t to
  • Ought not have – Oughtn’t’ve
  • Need not – Needn’t
  • Need not have – Needn’t’ve
  • Will not – Won’t
  • Will not have – Won’t’ve
  • Dare not – Daren’t
  • Dare not have – Daren’t’ve
  • Had Not – Hadn’t

Some of the contractions are rare and awkward, like “oughtn’t’ve” and “usedn’t.”

In Conclusion

The contracted forms of verbs are informal and are used more commonly in speech.

It is good to know them in case you hear them in spoken English, and their usage varies depending on the region.

I’m an Irish tutor and founder of TPR Teaching. I started teaching in 2016 and have since taught in the UK, Spain, and online.

I love learning new things about the English language and how to teach it better. I’m always trying to improve my knowledge, so I can better meet the needs of others!

I enjoy traveling, nature walks, and soaking up a new culture. Please share the posts if you find them helpful!

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Want to sound more like a native speaker? In this lesson, I will teach you many would contractions that native speakers use frequently without thinking about them. For example, using I'd instead of I would is a quick and easy way to sound more natural. I will teach you how to pronounce these words correctly so that you can start using them right away. Take our quiz at the end of the video to make sure you understand the material.

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Asked by: Mazie Medhurst PhD

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A contraction is a shortened version of the spoken and written forms of a word, syllable, or word group, created by omission of internal letters and sounds.

Is ‘i’d I had or I would?

The contraction I’d can mean either ‘I would’ or ‘I had’. If you’re unable to understand the meaning of I’d (or he’d, she’d, we’d, etc.) from the context of a sentence, try looking at the verb form that follows it: would is followed by the bare infinitive (infinitive without to)

What is the contractions for I will?

The words are I’ll/I will, we’re/we are, shouldn’t/should not, you’d/you would, would’ve/would have, you’re/you are, he’s/he has, didn’t/did not, they’ve/they have, that’s/that is. Or go to the answers. Match 10 contractions to their equivalents.

Is it’d a proper contraction?

«It’d» is a perfectly legitimate contraction, although probably used less in written English than some of the other «would» contractions. It’d be a good idea if you could revise those reports by Tuesday.

What are examples of contractions?

A contraction is a word made by shortening and combining two words. Words like can’t (can + not), don’t (do + not), and I’ve (I + have) are all contractions.

21 related questions found

Do contractions count as one word?

Contracted words count as the number of words they would be if they were not contracted. For example, isn’t, didn’t, I’m, I’ll are counted as two words (replacing is not, did not, I am, I will). Where the contraction replaces one word (e.g. can’t for cannot), it is counted as one word.

How many contractions are there?

Contraction words are made out of common words, and there are a little over 90 standard contractions.

How do you use contraction in a sentence?

You use contractions in a sentence to shorten the phrase and give it a less formal tone. For example: “They are playing together.” When you use a contraction, you combine “they” and “are”. You then replace the “a” with an apostrophe. The sentence becomes: “They’re playing together.”

Would had use?

“Would have had” is a type 3 conditional phrase that is used for situations that did not happen – an unreal, past situation. It’s used to describe a situation that “would have” happened if another situation were to take place.

How do you use ID and I?

«I’d» («I had») is the past perfect tense and «I’ve» («I have») is the present perfect tense.

What is a contractions in writing?

A contraction is a combination of two words as one, such as «don’t,» «can’t,» and «isn’t.» The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal legal writing. Replace them with the two-word version of the contraction.

Are double contractions grammatically correct?

Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.

How do you find the contraction in Word?

Under the Grammar Settings window scroll down to Formal Language and check the “Contractions” option. Check ‘Contractions’ if you want Word to show a warning for contractions.

Is there a contraction for she has?

Contraction of she has . She’s is a contraction of either she is or she has. … An example of she’s is the contraction form of the phrase “She is the best.”

What does a contraction feel like?

Labor contractions cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Some women might also feel pain in their sides and thighs. Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps, while others describe them as strong waves that feel like diarrhea cramps.

Is Don’t a contraction?

Usage of Don’t

Don’t is the earliest attested contraction of does not and until about 1900 was the standard spoken form in the U.S. (it survived as spoken standard longer in British English).

Is should’ve one word?

Should’ve is the usual spoken form of ‘should have‘, especially when ‘have’ is an auxiliary verb.

Is it one word or two words?

The word, «it’s» is one word, but would be counted as two words because if not contracted, you would have two separate words. To circle the words, however, «it’s» would be one word and would be circled.

Is Let’s one or two words?

Lets without an apostrophe is the third-person singular form of the verb let, meaning “to allow or permit”: She lets the dog out every morning. Let’s with an apostrophe is a contraction of “let us,” which is used in all varieties of speech and writing to introduce a suggestion or request: Let us consider all the facts.

Where do contractions start?

Contractions are usually only felt in the front of the abdomen or pelvic region. Contractions usually start in the lower back and move to the front of the abdomen.

Skip to main content

‘There’d’ and ‘they’d’ are examples of contractions that are useful to know. Read on to learn more!

Contractions involve shortening words and replacing one or more letters with an apostrophe.

There are many common contractions. By using them in your spoken language, you will sound more natural.

Here are some examples of contractions with ‘would’:

  • There’d = There would

«The Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was built in the 1870s in South Australia. It was run by three families, there’d be two on the light and one on the shore.»

  • They’d = They would

«They’d be out there in the lighthouse for three months.»

  • He’d = He would

«There was always a person who was not on duty. When it was his turn, he’d come out and look after the lighthouse.»

However, in formal writing, it is best to avoid contractions and write the words out in full.

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Posted 1 Jan 2017Sun 1 Jan 2017 at 10:32pm, updated 9 Apr 2018Mon 9 Apr 2018 at 5:57am

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Would | Conditional

The verb “would” is used with “have” and the past participle of a main verb to express a hypothetical, conditional situation in the past, an event that did not actually occur.

To form a past, conditional sentence with “would”:

  • would + have + past participle of main verb

Example

  • “I would’ve gone shopping if I didn’t have so much homework to finish.”

Here, had the speaker not had a lot of homework to do, she would have been at the store shopping.

Now, why did I say “would’ve”* instead of “would have”?

(“would’ve” = informal!”)

Rhythm of English

The music of English comes from the way native English speakers:

  • stress their content words (meaning, they say them longer, louder, and higher in pitch); as well as
  • de-stress their function words (meaning they say them quicker and more relaxed).

Function words in English are those that form the grammar and structure of a sentence and do not carry much content. These include auxiliary verbs, which accompany a main verb and add some grammatical meaning to the sentence.

Because “have” is an auxiliary verb, we tend to de-stress it and contract it, then attach it to the verb preceding it.

So, to contract “have”, simply:

  • delete the first consonant sound [h];
  • de-stress and relax the vowel sound ([æ] –> [ə]); and
  • connect it to the verb before it.

“Have” –> [əv]

Would + have = “would’ve” [Wʊ dəv]

Did you hear how much more relaxed the vowel sound in “have” is?

  • “would’ve” [Wʊ dəv]

Remember that because “have” now begins with a vowel, you should connect your speech and pronounce the [d] in “would” at the beginning of “‘ve” [əv] –> [dəv].

  • “would’ve” [Wʊ dəv]

Let’s practice.

Listen and Repeat

  • “I would’ve come sooner, but there was so much traffic!”
  • “If I had known you were fluent in English, I would’ve practiced more with you!”
  • “We would’ve liked to have met your mother.”
  • “I would’ve earned so much more money if I just worked a little harder!”

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Summary

Contractions are shortened forms of words, in which some letters are omitted. An apostrophe generally marks the omission. Standard contractions include those that shorten the word not, the verbs be and have, and modal verbs. Here is a list of commonly used contractions.

Contracted Forms in English

Contraction Full form Examples
n’t not don’t (do not), isn’t (is not)
’s is, has she’s (she is, she has), what’s (what is, what has)
’re are you’re (you are), we’re (we are)
’ve have I’ve (I have), could’ve (could have)
’d had, would I’d (I had, I would), we’d (we had, we would)
’ll will I’ll (I will), you’ll (you will)
I’m I am
let’s let us
ma’am madam

(See also: List of standard contractions in English)

Contractions are often used in speech and lend an informal, personal tone to writing. Avoid using contractions in formal texts, such as academic papers.

Example

  • Informal: We haven’t accounted for changes in pressure in this study.
    Formal: We have not accounted for changes in pressure in this study.

What is a contraction in grammar?

A contraction is a word in which some sounds or letters are omitted. An apostrophe generally replaces the omitted letters. Contractions are common in speech and informal writing.

Examples

  • What’s going on?

    what is = what’s (an apostrophe replaces the “i” in is)

  • I don’t know.

    do not = don’t (an apostrophe indicates the omitted “o” in not)

  • I’m happy to help.

    I am = I’m (an apostrophe replaces “a”)

Common contractions in English shorten the word not (isn’t, shouldn’t), the be verb (I’m, she’s, we’re), the have verb (you’ve, could’ve), and modal verbs (we’ll, they’d).

When should contractions be used?

Contractions lend an informal tone to writing and replace talking to your reader. In messages and personal communication, contractions sound normal and natural.

Examples

  • I’m on my way.
  • That’s fine. Don’t worry.
  • It’s all right.
  • Sorry I couldn’t take your call.

In contrast, in academic and other formal texts, avoiding contractions lends an air of formality to the document.

Examples

  • Informal: We couldn’t collect sufficient real-world data.
    Formal: We could not collect sufficient real-world data.
  • Informal: It’s important to account for bias.
    Formal: It is important to account for bias.

In ad copy, marketing slogans, and other signage, contractions can help save space and make your message sound more friendly.

Examples

  • It’s finger lickin’ good. (KFC)
  • I’m lovin’ it. (McDonald’s)
  • Because you’re worth it. (L’Oreal)

In creative writing as well, contractions, which are common in speech, can make dialogue sound more natural.

Example

  • “Now you said you’d do it, now let’s see you do it.”
    Don’t you crowd me now; you better look out.”
    “Well, you said you’d do it—why don’t you do it?”

    — Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)

Caution

Avoid using contractions in formal texts, such as academic papers, cover letters, and business proposals.

Example

  • Informal: We haven’t reviewed the financial statements of the subsidiaries yet.
    Formal: We have not reviewed the financial statements of the subsidiaries yet.

In this article, we discuss common contractions in English and when they are used.

Contractions with not

Not can be contracted to n’t when it is used with an auxiliary verb like can and have.

Examples

  • I can’t believe you don’t have a phone. (cannot, do not)
  • Haven’t you pressed the button yet? (have not)
  • I won’t tell anyone what happened. (will not)
  • Nesbit shouldn’t spend all his time indoors. (should not)

Can, which already ends in n, combines with not to form can’t. Will and shall lose their endings and combine with not to form won’t and shan’t.

Here is a list of not contractions in English: note how the adverb not combines with both primary (be, have, do) and modal auxiliary verbs (like can and could).

Contractions with Not

Contraction Full form
don’t do not
didn’t did not
isn’t is not
wasn’t was not
aren’t are not (also am not)
weren’t were not
hasn’t has not
haven’t have not
hadn’t had not
can’t cannot
couldn’t could not
shan’t shall not
shouldn’t should not
won’t will not
wouldn’t would not
mightn’t might not
mustn’t must not
needn’t need not

Be verb with not

The be verb contracts with not in two ways: you can either contract the verb form itself (is, are, am) or contract not.

Examples

  • Contracted not: Anita isn’t ready.
  • Contracted be verb: She’s not ready.

The word not is contracted more often with nouns.

Examples

  • Farley isn’t happy.

    Seen more often than “Farley’s not happy.” (The name “Farley” of course is a noun.)

  • The books aren’t here.

    Seen more often than “The books’re not here.” (“The books” is a noun phrase.)

The be verb is contracted more often with pronouns.

Examples

  • She’s not happy.

    Seen more often than “She isn’t happy” (where “she” is a pronoun).

  • They’re not here.

    Seen more often than “They aren’t here.”

Amn’t or aren’t?

With the pronoun I, use aren’t not amn’t to frame questions.

Examples

  • Aren’t I clever?
  • I’m your friend, aren’t I?

    for “I’m your friend,

    am I not

    ?”

However, when the sentence is not a question but a statement, “I am not” is usually contracted to “I’m not” rather than “I aren’t.”

Example

  • I’m not joking.

    Generally preferred to “I aren’t joking.”

In some dialects (Scottish and Irish), amn’t is acceptable in speech but still avoided in writing.

Ain’t (nonstandard)

Ain’t is a nonstandard contraction used colloquially in some dialects, where it replaces the relatively more formal contractions isn’t and aren’t.

Examples

  • I ain’t dead.
  • They ain’t listenin’.
  • That ain’t important now, is it?
  • It ain’t done till I say it’s done.

It may occasionally also replace hasn’t or haven’t.

Example

  • They ain’t made a lock yet our Nesbit can’t pick.

Caution

The contraction ain’t is considered nonstandard and used only very informally.

Be and have contractions

Be and have, which take the verb forms am, is, are, has, have, and had, can contract and combine with a noun or pronoun (and occasionally, an adverb).

Examples

  • Lulu’s a dancer. (Lulu is)
  • Your order’s being processed. (order is)
  • I’m not ready. (I am)
  • They’re already here. (they are)
  • Lulu’s been baking again. (Lulu has been)
  • They’ve found the answer. (they have found)
  • She’d called me already before you got here. (she had called)
  • Here’s your money. (here is)
  • There’s no money in this purse. (there is)
  • That’s the restaurant I was telling you about. (that is)

Note that the have verb is not contracted in writing when it is the main verb and means “to possess.”

Example

  • Poor: Poco’s seven cars in his garage.

    The main verb is has: Poco

    has

    . Don’t contract it.

    Better: Poco has seven cars in his garage.

  • Poor: We’d no money.
    Better: We had no money.
  • but

  • Acceptable: Poco’s bought another car.

    The main verb is bought: Poco has bought. Has functions as an auxiliary (or helping) verb and can be contracted.

  • Acceptable: We’d discovered the cure by then.

Tip

Don’t use affirmative contractions at the end of a clause or a sentence.

Examples

  • Incorrect:“Have you ordered the shoes?” “Yes, I’ve.”
    Correct:“Have you ordered the shoes?” “Yes, I have.”
  • Incorrect:“Are you ready?” “I don’t know that I’m.”
    Correct:“Are you ready?” “I don’t know that I am.”
  • Incorrect:“Would you help me if you could?” “Of course I’d.”
    Correct: “Would you help me if you could?” “Of course I would.”

In contrast, negative contractions are acceptable at the end of a clause or a sentence.

Examples

  • Correct: No, I haven’t.
  • Correct: Of course I wouldn’t.

Contractions with pronouns

Personal pronouns like I, you, and they combine with the be and have verbs (am, is, are, has, have) to form standard contractions. These pronouns also combine with the modal verbs will and would.

Examples

  • Hi, I’m Maya. (I am)
  • You’re coming with me. (you are)
  • It’s my first day at work. (it is)
  • We’re happy to help. (we are)
  • She’s had a long day. (she has)
  • They’ve all gone on a picnic together. (they have)
  • I knew he’d been fighting. (he had)
  • Of course I’ll help you. (I will)
  • She’d know if we were lying. (she would)

The following table shows how contractions for personal pronouns are formed.

Contractions with Personal Pronouns

Contraction Full form Pronoun contraction
’m am I’m
’s is, has she’s, he’s, it’s
’re are we’re, you’re, they’re
’ve have I’ve, you’ve, we’ve, they’ve
’d had, would I’d, you’d, he’d, she’d, it’d, we’d, they’d
’ll will I’ll, you’ll, he’ll, she’ll, it’ll, we’ll, they’ll

Note how contractions with ’s can be short for either is or has: “He’s” can mean “he is” or “he has.” Similarly, contractions with ’d can stand for either had or would: “I’d” means both “I had” and “I would.”

Caution

The contraction of “you are” is you’re, not your.

Examples

  • Incorrect: Your not wrong.
    Correct: You’re not wrong. (you are)
  • Incorrect: Your your own worst enemy.
    Correct: You’re your own worst enemy. (you are)

Your is a possessive that appears before a noun.

Examples

  • Your answers are not wrong.
  • The enemy of your enemy is your friend.

Tip

Insert an apostrophe in its only if it is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” Omit the apostrophe when it is a possessive.

Examples

  • It’s raining.

    it’s = it is (contraction)

  • It’s stopped raining.

    it’s = it has (contraction)

  • The kitten is chasing its tail.

    its tail = the kitten’s tail (possessive; no apostrophe)

Other pronouns like that, which, and who can also form contractions with be and have in informal usage.

Examples

  • That’s not true! (that is)
  • The report that’s being released today is misleading. (that is)
  • My friend Farley, who’s an astronaut, is afraid of heights. (who is)
  • The person who’s been eating all the cookies is me. (who has)
  • These reports, which’ve already been released, are misleading. (which have)

Contractions with nouns

In speech, nouns form contractions with is and has (singular forms of the be and have verbs). These contractions are not generally seen in writing, and never in formal texts.

Examples

  • Rita’s my sister. (Rita is)
  • Farley’s in quarantine this week. (Farley is)
  • Your money’s on the way. (money is)
  • My daughter’s going to Thailand in May. (daughter is)
  • The cat’s been eating all the cheese again. (cat has)
  • Anita’s found the answer! (Anita has)

It is rarer for the plural verbs are and have to join with nouns (cakes’re baked; the cats’ve been eating).

Contractions with adverbs

Adverbs like now, here, and there combine with is to form contractions in informal usage.

Examples

  • Now’s your chance! (now is)
  • Here’s the entrance to the cave. (here is)
  • There’s a slight chance I might be wrong. (there is)

There can also form a contraction with has.

Example

  • There’s been no change in status since we last spoke. (there has)

Plural contractions are rarer: there’re, there’ve.

Contractions with modal verbs

Modal verbs like could and would combine with have.

Examples

  • You could’ve done better, but you didn’t even try. (could have)
  • (would have)
  • You should’ve given her a chance to explain. (should have)

Caution

Could have and should have are contracted to could’ve and should’ve, not could of or should of. Could’ve is sometimes incorrectly written as could of because of how this contraction is pronounced.

Examples

  • You could of/could’ve told me you had an extra phone.
  • I should of/should’ve realized this would be a problem.

Will and would are contracted to ’ll and ’d in casual communication.

Examples

  • Anita’ll never believe what just happened. (Anita will)
  • I’ll buy the flowers myself. (I will)
  • You’ll call me, won’t you? (you will)
  • They’ll call us tomorrow. (they will)
  • You’d never know she was lying. (you would)
  • We’d like to cancel our membership. (we would)

Modal verbs can also form contractions with not.

Examples

  • Farley can’t find his shoes. (cannot)
  • She won’t tell anyone. (will not)
  • I wouldn’t know where to begin. (would not)
  • It shouldn’t be this hard. (should not)

Here is a list of contractions with modal verbs.

Contractions with Modal Verbs

Contraction Full form
could’ve could have
should’ve should have
would’ve would have
might’ve might have
must’ve must have
’ll will (I’ll, you’ll, we’ll)
’d would (I’d, she’d, they’d)
can’t cannot
couldn’t could not
shan’t shall not
shouldn’t should not
won’t will not
wouldn’t would not
mightn’t might not
mustn’t must not
oughtn’t ought not
needn’t need not

Contractions in questions

Negative forms using not are contracted in questions, not only in speech but also in formal usage.

Examples

  • Hasn’t Rita returned from Neptune yet?

    Not “

    Has not

    Rita returned yet?,” which would sound odd and archaic.

  • Don’t you want to get paid?
  • Couldn’t you find the answer?
  • Can’t you see I’m busy?

Negative question tags are also always contracted.

Examples

  • Farley should be given another chance, shouldn’t he?

    Not “Should not he?”

  • Rita has come back, hasn’t she?
  • Help me out, won’t you?

Forms of be and have can combine with question words like who and what in speech.

Examples

  • What’s going on? (what is)
  • What’s happened to him? (what has)
  • What’ve you done? (what have)
  • Where’s Anita when you need her? (where is)
  • Where’s she gone? (where has)
  • Where’ve you been? (where have)
  • Who’s that? (who is)
  • Who’s been eating all my porridge? (who has)
  • Who’ve you been talking to? (who have)

Contractions of words like what, where, and there with the plural verb are (what’re, where’re, there’re) are less common than singular forms (what’s, where’s, there’s).

Tip

Who’s is a contraction of who is, while whose is a possessive.

Examples

  • Who’s/Whose that at the window?

    who’s = who is (contraction)

  • Who’s/Whose been sitting in my chair?

    who’s = who has (contraction)

  • Who’s/Whose chair is this?

    whose = whom does it belong to (possessive)

Double contractions

Double contractions with have occur in speech but not in writing.

Examples

  • Rita couldn’t’ve planned this all by herself. (could not have)
  • Poco shouldn’t’ve bought that new car. (should not have)
  • I’d’ve known if she’d been lying. (I would have)

The be verb doesn’t form double contractions.

Examples

  • Incorrect: She’sn’t not happy.
    Correct: She’s not happy.
    Correct: She isn’t happy.
  • Incorrect: I’mn’t going on holiday this year.
    Correct: I’m not going on holiday this year.

Other contractions

Certain words like ma’am are contracted in speech. An apostrophe is used to signify the omitted sounds.

Examples

  • Yes, ma’am. I’ll send you the report today. (for madam)
  • Call the bo’s’n! (for boatswain)

Let’s

The contraction let’s, used often in speech, is a contraction of let us, not let is. Use let’s to make suggestions.

Examples

  • Let’s go watch a movie. (let us)
  • Let’s play a game, shall we? (let us)

O’clock (contracted of)

The contraction o’clock is short for “of the clock” and is used to indicate time.

Examples

  • Is it nine o’clock already?
  • I usually wake up at six o’clock.

The word of is also contracted in other terms like man-o’-war, will-o’-the-wisp, cat-o’-nine-tails, and jack-o’-lantern.

G-dropping

In some dialects of English, the final sound of a word ending in -ing is not pronounced. When such speech is transcribed, an apostrophe is used to indicate the omitted “g.”

Examples

  • We were just singin’ and dancin’ in the rain.
  • Well, you know he’s a ramblin’ man.

Relaxed pronunciation

Phrases such as kind of and sort of, commonly used in casual conversation, are often contracted to kinda and sorta.

Examples

  • I’m kinda confused about this layout.
  • I’m sorta impressed by what she has done here.
  • Would you like a cuppa tea?

In everyday speech, the infinitive marker to is sometimes combined with words such as going and want. Note that these are colloquialisms never used in formal writing.

Examples

  • I wanna fly like a bird.
  • I’m gonna go now.
  • I hafta find out what happened.

Aphaeresis, syncope, apocope

In informal speech, the first unstressed syllable of a word is sometimes dropped (by a process called aphaeresis.) An apostrophe marks the missing syllable.

Examples

  • I ain’t talkin’ ’bout that.

    about

  • You’ll do it ’cause I asked you to.

    because

When a syllable or sound from the middle of a word is dropped, it is called syncope. An apostrophe marks the elision. It is often found in poetry, where meter is helped by the dropping of a sound.

Examples

  • They flew o’er hills and mountains.
  • Yes, ma’am, we have rooms available.

The omission or elision of syllables at the end of a word is called apocope.

Examples

  • Did you watch the match on tele last night? (short for television)
  • Have you uploaded the photo? (for photograph)

Poetic contractions

Words may be contracted in poetry for the sake of rhythm and meter. Such contractions are not otherwise found in writing. These include words like o’er (over), ’tis (it is), ’twas (it was), e’er (ever), and ne’er (never). Note that modern poets do not often require or use poetic contractions.

Examples

  • It ate the food it ne’er had eat,
    And round and round it flew.

  • I, smiling at him, shook my head:
    ’Tis now we’re tired, my heart and I.

  • Gliding o’er all, through all,
    Through Nature, Time, and Space . . .

Note

A contraction is a form of elision, in which sounds or syllables are elided or omitted for ease of speaking or for the sake of meter.

List of standard contractions in English

Here is a list of over 70 commonly used contractions in English.

Standard English Contractions

Contraction Full form
don’t do not
didn’t did not
isn’t is not
wasn’t was not
aren’t are not (also am not)
weren’t were not
hasn’t has not
haven’t have not
hadn’t had not
can’t cannot
couldn’t could not
shan’t shall not
shouldn’t should not
won’t will not
wouldn’t would not
mightn’t might not
mustn’t must not
oughtn’t ought not
needn’t need not
could’ve could have
should’ve should have
would’ve would have
might’ve might have
must’ve must have
I’m I am
you’re you are
she’s she is, she has
he’s he is, he has
it’s it is, it has
we’re we are
they’re they are
I’ve I have
you’ve you have
we’ve we have
they’ve they have
I’ll I will
you’ll you will
he’ll he will
she’ll she will
it’ll it will
we’ll we will
they’ll they will
I’d I had, I would
you’d you had, you would
she’d she had, she would
he’d he had, he would
it’d it had, it would
we’d we had, we would
they’d they had, they would
that’s that is, that has
that’ve that have
that’d that would
which’ve which have
who’s who is, who has
who’re who are
who’ve who have
who’d who had, who would
who’ll who will
what’s what is, what has, what does
what’re what are
what’ll what will
where’s where is, where has
where’d where did
when’s when is, when has
why’s why is, why has
why’d why did
how’s how is, how has
here’s here is
there’s there is, there has
there’ll there will
there’d there had, there would
let’s let us
ma’am madam
o’clock of the clock

  • #1

In English grammar Would is often contracted with pronouns in both speaking and writing.

I would= I’d
You would = You’d
He would = He’d
She would = She’d
We would = We’d
They would= They’d

What about for the pronoun « it « ? The authors didn’t give any examples for » it « in their grammar book. They just didn’t say anything.
And I have come to the conclusion that would cannot be contracted with the pronoun «it».
But what if we mean an animal using » it « ? For example, It (a dog, a cat etc. ) would like some water. It’d like some water. Is it correct?
I think in some situations we can say so especially when we like our pets so much. What do you think?

Thanks in advance,

Last edited: Jan 12, 2017

  • PaulQ


    • #2

    It’d like some water. Is it correct? — Yes.

    The Newt


    • #3

    «It’d» is a perfectly legitimate contraction, although probably used less in written English than some of the other «would» contractions.

    It’d be a good idea if you could revise those reports by Tuesday.

    dojibear


    • #4

    Note: most of these contractions are ambiguous. For example she’d is a contraction of either she would or she had.

    Loob


    • #5

    She’d, he’d, I’d etc all make sense as contractions, since they reduce a two-syllable phrase to a one-syllable phrase.
    It’d doesn’t work for me, except as a form of eye-dialect.

    Oddmania


    • #6

    I’d always thought it’d was a very normal contraction and was widely accepted throughout the English-speaking world. It’s good to know some people never use it. I had no idea, Loob!

    I also hear that’d very often («That’d be great», pronounced more or less like «thad-be great»). Less frequently, I’ve heard it used with given names («Dave’d go if he could», pronounced with a schwa: «Dave-uh’d-go…»).

    velisarius


    • #7

    You will hear these forms all the time, but we don’t normally write them down. It’s just a convention. Like not writing «wanna» — even when that’s what we often say.

    Oddmania


    • #8

    Oh, of couse, Veli. I thought Loob was saying it’d didn’t work for her as a contraction in general, neither in speech nor in writing.

    Loob


    • #9

    It

    doesn’t

    work for me*. Except, as I say, as a form of eye-dialect.

    * I’ve just realised I didn’t understand your point. We’re talking written contractions here, aren’t we?

    Oddmania


    • #10

    I wasn’t. Were you? I didn’t have the impression that Luckyteenager was only interested in written English. Hence the misunderstanding; sorry about that.

    In English grammar Would is often contracted with pronouns in both speaking and writing.

    But what if we mean an animal using » it « ? For example, It (a dog, a cat etc. ) would like some water. It’d like some water. Is it correct?
    I think in some situations we can say so especially when we like our pets so much. What do you think?

    DonnyB


    • #11

    I’d always thought it’d was a very normal contraction and was widely accepted throughout the English-speaking world. It’s good to know some people never use it. I had no idea, Loob!

    I also hear that’d very often («That’d be great», pronounced more or less like «thad-be great»). Less frequently, I’ve heard it used with given names («Dave’d go if he could», pronounced with a schwa: «Dave-uh’d-go…»).

    Well, I was under the impression that it’d was normal and widely accepted, too. I’ve heard it, seen it and used it: it works for me, even it doesn’t for Loob. Same with that’d, really.

    Like you, I’ve heard it done with people’s names, but I must admit I’ve never actually seen anything like «Dave’d…»

    Loob


    • #12

    Well, the term «contraction» to me means «written contraction».

    If we’re talking about speech, then unstressed «would» and «had» can, in the appropriate environments, become either /əd/ or /d/.

    • #13

    You’d use it in writing as a representation of someone saying it that way.
    It is of course

    possible

    to say it that way, but there is not much incentive to do so because it would not reduce the syllable count. If you contract (in speech) «he would» to «he’d», you start with two syllables and end with one, because the last thing before the apostrophe is a vowel. If you attempt the same trick with «it would», you get a consonant before the apostrophe, and your «it’d» actually sounds like «itted» with a schwa in there, so it’s still two syllables — not much of a contraction. If you try to eliminate the schwa, you end up tripping over your tongue.

    My nephew, when he was small, used to say «I amn’t» as a perfectly logical adaptation of «he isn’t».

    Oddmania


    • #14

    If you try to eliminate the schwa, you end up tripping over your tongue.

    Do you ever omit the ‘t’ sound? If I say «It’d be nice» quickly, it sounds like «id be nice», where the d is perhaps more of a dental stop than an actual d.

    (I’m a very lazy person, though).

    Last edited: Jan 13, 2017

    • #15

    Do you ever omit the ‘t’ sound?

    Yes. I think as part of the process of trying not to trip over your tongue, first the ‘t’ becomes a ‘d’, and then the schwa or gap between the two ‘d’s gets smaller until you end up with a single ‘d’.

    • #16

    I appreciate you all for your helpful replies. I got you.

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