Using Contractions
In everyday spoken English forms of the verb 'to be' and other auxiliary verbs are usually contracted:
Example: He's been to London, They aren't our neighbors
Here is a chart of when to use the most common contractions in English.
| Auxiliary Form | Contractions With Pronouns | Contractions With Nouns | Contractions With Question Words |
| am | I'm working this morning. | - | What'm I supposed to say? (common only in spoken English) |
| is | He's going to come. - She's a teacher. - It's easy! | John's at work. - Mary's playing the piano at the moment. | Who's on the telephone? - What's he doing? |
| are | You're a great friend! - They're playing golf this afternoon. | The books're on their way. (common only in spoken English) | What're you going to do? |
| has | He's been to Paris twice. - It's been such a long time! - She's lived there all her life. | Mary's gone to the store. | What's she been doing? - Who's been invited? |
| have | I've finished my homework. - They've got two cars. | The students've finished their homework. (common only in spoken English) | Where've you been all day? (common only in spoken English) |
| had | He'd been waiting for three hours. - We'd better be going. | Jack'd worked there before he left. (common only in spoken English) | What'd you done before that? (common only in spoken English) |
| will | I'll get you something to eat. - We'll be there soon. | Peter'll catch the bus to work. | What'll we do? Where'll you take us? |
| would | I'd like some fish. They'd love to ask you some questions. | Jane'd love to come. | Where'd you like to go? (common only in spoken English) |
Rule: Do not use the contracted form of the auxiliary in formal writing
Example: Dear Mr Brown,
I would like to invite you to our company presentation ...
NOT!!: Dear Mr Brown,
I'd like to invite you to our company presentation ...
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