Words like can't(can + not), don't (do + not), and I've (I + have) are all contractions. A contraction refers to a shortened form of a word, syllable, or word group, created by omission of internal letters which are replaced by an apostrophe.
Examples:
- I am = I'm
- He is = He's
Contractions should not be confused with:
- Abbreviations which consist of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase as in Dr for Doctor
- Clipping which is the word formation process consisting in the reduction of a word to one of its parts as in spec for speculation.
- Acronyms which is an abbreviation formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word (example: FBI, Benelux, radar)
A list of contracted forms in English
Here is a list of some examples of contraction in English:
Full Forms Contracted forms I am I'm you / we / they are you / we / they're she / he is she / he's I am not I'm not you / we / they are not you / we / they aren't she / he is not she / he isn't I / you /we / they have I / you /we / they've she / he has she / he's they have they've I had I'd I would I'd I will I'll I do not I don't he does not he doesn't I did not I didn't I have not I haven't I had not I hadn't I cannot I can't I could not I couldn't I will not I won't I would not I wouldn't I should not I shouldn't I must not I mustn't There is There's where is where's who is who's
