A contraction is a short form of two words joined together. An apostrophe ( ‘ ) shows where letters have been left out. For example, do not becomes don’t, and I am becomes I’m.
Contractions make English sound natural and friendly. You hear them in conversation, films and messages every day. This guide lists the most common contractions, explains when to use them, and shows the mistakes students often make.
How Contractions Work
The apostrophe replaces the missing letters:
- is not → isn’t (the o is removed)
- they are → they’re (the a is removed)
- I would → I’d (the woul is removed)
Common Contractions
With “Not”
| Full form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| is not / are not | isn’t / aren’t |
| was not / were not | wasn’t / weren’t |
| do not / does not / did not | don’t / doesn’t / didn’t |
| have not / has not / had not | haven’t / hasn’t / hadn’t |
| cannot | can’t |
| could not / should not / would not | couldn’t / shouldn’t / wouldn’t |
| will not | won’t |
| must not | mustn’t |
With Pronouns
| Verb | Contractions |
|---|---|
| am | I’m |
| is | he’s, she’s, it’s, that’s, there’s |
| are | you’re, we’re, they’re |
| have | I’ve, you’ve, we’ve, they’ve |
| has | he’s, she’s, it’s |
| will | I’ll, you’ll, she’ll, we’ll, they’ll |
| would / had | I’d, you’d, he’d, we’d, they’d |
Special Cases
- won’t = will not (not “willn’t”)
- can’t = cannot
- let’s = let us
- ‘s can mean is or has: She’s tired (is). She’s finished (has).
- ‘d can mean would or had: I’d like tea (would). I’d left (had).
When to Use Contractions
- Use them in speaking, informal letters, emails to friends, messages, stories and dialogue.
- Avoid them in formal writing such as exam essays, reports, applications, research papers and official letters, unless your teacher says otherwise.
Knowing when to be formal is part of good grammar. Learn more in how to use grammar in everyday writing.
Common Mistakes
It’s vs Its
- it’s = it is / it has: It’s raining.
- its = belonging to it: The cat licked its paw.
You’re vs Your
- you’re = you are: You’re kind.
- your = belonging to you: Your bag is here.
They’re vs Their vs There
- they’re = they are
- their = belonging to them
- there = a place, or there is/are
Who’s vs Whose
- who’s = who is / who has
- whose = belonging to whom
Other Errors
- Wrong apostrophe place: do’nt → don’t
- Could of / should of: These are wrong. Write could’ve or could have.
- Ending a sentence with a short form of be: I know where he’s. → I know where he is.
For more, read our guide to common grammar mistakes and the rules of punctuation.
Practice
- Write the contraction: they have
- Write the contraction: will not
- Choose: (It’s / Its) a beautiful day.
- Choose: (You’re / Your) phone is ringing.
Answers: 1. they’ve 2. won’t 3. It’s 4. Your
Free Resources
Practise more with the British Council’s LearnEnglish grammar lessons. Purdue OWL’s grammar guide covers apostrophes, and its grammar exercises help you check your work.
Final Thoughts
Contractions join two words with an apostrophe. They make speech and informal writing sound natural, but they are best avoided in formal work. Learn the common forms, watch for it’s/its and you’re/your, and you will use them correctly every time.
