Syntax Error

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.

We make contractions with auxiliary verbs, and also with be and have when they are not auxiliary verbs. When we make a contraction, we commonly put an apostrophe in place of a missing letter.

The following are the most common contractions.

Contractions with I, you, he, she, it, we, and they

'm = am (I'm)

're = are (you're, we're, they're) (you are, we are, they are)

's = is and has (he's, she's, it's) (he is, she is, it is)

've = have ('ve, you've, we've, they've) (you have, we have, they have)

'll = will (I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, it'll, we'll, they'll)

'd = had and would (I'd, you'd, he'd, she'd, it'd, we'd, they'd)

Contractions with an auxiliary verb and not

The contraction for not is n't:

aren't = are not (we aren't, you aren't)

can't = cannot

couldn't = could not

didn't = did not (I didn't, they didn't)

hasn't = has not

haven't = have not

isn't = is not (she isn't, it isn't)

mustn't = must not

shan't = shall not

shouldn't = should not

wasn't = was not

weren't = were not

won't = will not

wouldn't = would not

Contractions can occur after nouns, names, here, there, now, and question words. These contractions are not considered appropriate in formal writing:

My sister's got married. = My sister has got married.

John'll be very happy. = John will be very happy.

Here's the coffee. = Here is the coffee.

There's your watch. = There is your watch.

Now's your chance. = Now is your chance.

NOTE:

· We don't use more than one contraction: He's not free. Not: he'sn't free.

· We don't use affirmative contractions at the end of clauses: Yes, I think we are. Not: I think we're

· In question forms, am not is contracted to aren't: "I'm getting a pay rise, aren't I?" Not: amn't I?

· We do use negative contractions at the end of clauses and we do commonly use contractions in tag questions: "You've contacted Jan, haven't you?" she asked. "No, I haven't."