In this unit, you will learn how to use contractions (short forms) in everyday conversations. Contractions are a natural and essential part of spoken English, making your speech sound more fluent and natural. Let’s dive into the details!
What Are Short Forms?
Short forms, also known as contractions, are created when we combine two words into one by removing some letters and replacing them with an apostrophe ('). These are commonly used in spoken English and informal writing.
Examples:
- I am → I’m
- You are → You’re
- Do not → Don’t
Why Use Short Forms?
- Natural Speech: Native speakers use short forms almost all the time in casual conversations.
- Efficiency: They make speaking faster and easier.
- Fluency: Using short forms helps you sound more like a native speaker.
Common Short Forms in English
Below is a table of the most common short forms you will encounter:
| Full Form | Short Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I am | I’m | I’m happy today. |
| You are | You’re | You’re amazing! |
| He is / She is | He’s / She’s | She’s a great teacher. |
| It is | It’s | It’s sunny outside. |
| We are | We’re | We’re going to the park. |
| They are | They’re | They’re my friends. |
| Do not | Don’t | I don’t like coffee. |
| Does not | Doesn’t | She doesn’t eat meat. |
| Is not | Isn’t | It isn’t cold today. |
| Are not | Aren’t | We aren’t late. |
How to Form Short Forms
- Identify the Verb or Auxiliary: Look for verbs like “am,” “is,” “are,” “do,” “does,” etc.
- Remove the Vowel(s): Take out the vowel(s) in the word being contracted.
- Add an Apostrophe (
'): Place the apostrophe where the removed letters were.
Example:
- He is → Remove “i” → Add
'→ He’s - He is, He’s.
Practice Game
Important Notes
- Formal Writing: Avoid using short forms in formal writing (e.g., essays, reports). Use the full forms instead.
- Pronunciation: Pay attention to how short forms are pronounced. For example, “I’m” is pronounced as one syllable: /aɪm/.
Lesson Practice
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