Contraction and Deletion

Contraction DeletionDefinition DefinitionExamples Examples

Have And HasNot

Am , Is , Are By

A contraction is when two words are made into one, using an apostrophe. For instance, when you say "isn't" instead of "is not." The word "isn't" is a contraction, or shortening, of the words "is" and "not." They don't look a lot shorter in writing, but contractions usually develop in spoken English before they are written. People started saying "isn't" instead of "is not" because it is faster to say. That happens in a lot of languages, and with a lot of words. People start saying them all together, and eventually they become a real word.

A contraction is when you combine words using an apostrophe. Do and not becomes don't. I and am becomes I'm. These are contractions.

Contractions are two words that have been condensed into one. We use contractions every day when we speak and we use them in informal writing, too. They are formed by inserting an apostrophe to replace one of the letters.

-The act of deleting something written or printed

-The omission that is made when an editorial change shortens a written passage; "an editor's deletions frequently upset young authors"; "both parties agreed on the excision of the proposed clause"

-Any process whereby sounds are left out of spoken words or phrases

-Is where you drop one or more sounds in a word - either to say it faster, in slang, or, in poems, for meter

Contraction TypeHave and has

Some contractions are formed by combining pronouns and the words have and has. All you have to do is snip the “ha” from the word have or has and insert an apostrophe. Here are a few examples.

I have – I’veyou have – you’ve

he has – he’sshe has – she’s

it has – it’swe have – we’ve

they have – they’veI’ve decided to go to the party after all.

He’s not coming with us.

Contraction Type Not

Other contractions are formed by combining with the word not. In most cases, replacing the o in the word not with an apostrophe creates these contractions. There are two exceptions to this: will not becomes won’t and cannot becomes can’t. Examples:

Are not – aren’tDo not – don’t

Could not – couldn’tShould not – shouldn’t

Have not – haven’tHad not – hadn’t

Is not – isn’tWas not – wasn’t

Aren’t you Caroline’s friend?

I wouldn’t go in there if I were you

Contraction Type Am Is Are

Combining the pronouns I, you, she, he, we, it, and they with the words am, is, and are creates some contractions. Here’s how:

I am – I’mYou are – you’re

He is – he’sShe is – she’s

It is – it’sWe are – we’re

They are – they’re

I’m ready for a vacation.He’s going to Florida for the holiday.

Family (fam-i-ly/fam-lee)Telephone (tel-e-phone/tel-phone)Separate (sep-are-rate/sep-rat)Chocolate (choc-o-late/choc-lat)Sophomore (soph-o-more/soph-more)Mathematics (math-e-mat-ics/math-mat-ics)Camera (cam-er-a/cam-ra)Diamond (di-a-mond/di-mond)History (his-tor-ee/his-tree)

Naqa’a Shahd