A contraction is a shortened form of a word or group of words. In writing, an apostrophe usually marks where letters have been omitted. For example, we are becomes we’re and does not becomes doesn’t.
Common contractions
- I am becomes I’m, as in I’m ready.
- They will becomes they’ll, as in They’ll call later.
- Will not becomes won’t, as in The store won’t open today. The spelling changes as well as shortening.
When one form has two meanings
She’s means she is in She’s waiting and she has in She’s already left. He’d means he would in He’d call if he could and he had in He’d called before we arrived. The following verb and the rest of the sentence help you tell which form was shortened.
Contractions are common in conversation and much everyday writing. Use the register that fits your audience and follow any style guide for the document.
