A contraction is a type of abbreviation. Contractions are formed by replacing missing letters with an apostrophe (e.g., you're, it's, they're) or by compressing a word (e.g., Mr., Prof., Rev.).
Table of Contents
When an apostrophe replaces a letter, a new word is formed (most often, but not always, from two words originally). The new word is called a contraction. You cannot invent your own contractions. Here is a list of common contractions in English:
| Contraction | Original |
|---|---|
| aren't | are not |
| can't | cannot |
| couldn't | could not |
| didn't | did not |
| doesn't | does not |
| don't | do not |
| hadn't | had not |
| hasn't | has not |
| haven't | have not |
| he'd | he had, he would |
| he'll | he will, he shall |
| he's | he is, he has |
| I'd | I had, I would |
| I'll | I will, I shall |
| I'm | I am |
| I've | I have |
| isn't | is not |
| it's | it is, it has |
| let's | let us |
| mustn't | must not |
| shan't | shall not |
| she'd | she had, she would |
| she'll | she will, she shall |
| she's | she is, she has |
| shouldn't | should not |
| that's | that is, that has |
| there's | there is, there has |
| 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 |
| we're | we are |
| we've | we have |
| weren't | were not |
| what'll | what will, what shall |
| what're | what are |
| what's | what is, what has |
| what've | what have |
| where's | where is, where has |
| who'd | who had, who would |
| who'll | who will, who shall |
| who're | who are |
| who's | who is, who has |
| who've | who have |
| won't | will not |
| wouldn't | would not |
| you'd | you had, you would |
| you'll | you will, you shall |
| you're | you are |
| you've | you have |
Writers are often unsure whether contractions like Mr and Dr should be written with periods (full stops) (i.e., Mr. and Dr.). There are two conventions:
Convention 1. Use a period every time.
Convention 2. Use a period if the last letter of the contraction and the full word are different.
Expand your contraction. If your sentence still makes sense, then you are safe to put your contraction back in. If your sentence doesn't make sense with the contraction expanded, then you shouldn't be using a contraction.
Let's try one:
Contractions that shorten the word have (e.g., should've, could've) sound like they end with the word of. They don't! They have nothing to do with the word of. Writing should of, could of, or would of is a serious howler. Your readers will think you're dim if you make that mistake just once.
Many people still consider contractions to be informal and inappropriate for business writing. Therefore, contractions are best avoided in business documentation, especially if you're writing about something serious and you're unsure of your readership. However, this is far from a ruling. Contractions can make text less stuffy and more enjoyable to read. If you're a cool or casual company and the subject is appropriate, whack those contractions in.
This page was written by Craig Shrives.
