Lesson 1 of 6
Contractions
Contract words the way Americans do in every conversation.
If you say "I am not going to do it" with no contractions, Americans may hear you as angry, very formal or robotic. In natural speech, native speakers contract almost everything. This one change makes your English sound relaxed straight away.
LearnThe key ideas
The essential contractions
| Full form | Contraction | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| I am / you are / it is | I'm / you're / it's | aim / yer / its |
| do not / does not / did not | don't / doesn't / didn't | dohnt / duzzent / diddent |
| I will / I would | I'll / I'd | ail / aid |
| would have / should have / could have | would've / should've / could've | wood-uv / shood-uv / cood-uv |
| we have / they are | we've / they're | weev / thair |
When not to contract
Don't contract at the very end of a short answer: "Yes, I am." (not "Yes, I'm.").
Use the full form for strong emphasis: "I did NOT say that!" Avoid contractions in very formal writing such as legal documents and academic papers.
ListenListen and repeat
- I'm not sure, I'll check.Two contractions in one sentence.
- You should've told me!should've = should-uv.
- It's not a big deal.Relaxed and natural.
- Yes, I am.No contraction at the end of a short answer.
AvoidCommon mistakes
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- I'm tired, but I'll finish it tonight.
- We've been there before, it's really nice.
- I didn't know you'd be here!
CheckQuick quiz
1. Most natural in speech:
2. "Are you ready?" Short answer:
3. "Should've" is short for:
PracticeToday's speaking task
Write 8 sentences about your week without contractions. Then read them aloud with contractions and notice how much more natural they sound.