What are Contractions?
A contraction replaces omitted letters with an apostrophe. The apostrophe sits exactly where the letters were removed: 'cannot' becomes 'can't' (the letters 'no' are replaced by an apostrophe), and 'I am' becomes 'I'm' (the letter 'a' is removed). The apostrophe is not decorative — it marks a precise omission.
Contractions belong to informal and spoken English. In formal academic writing (IELTS Task 2, university essays, business reports), contractions should be avoided because they signal informality. In informal writing (emails to friends, social media, dialogue in fiction), contractions are natural and expected. Using full forms in informal speech can sound stiff and unnatural.
The most common error is misplacing the apostrophe. The second most common is confusing contractions with possessives — 'it's' (it is) and 'its' (possessive) are different words with different meanings and different apostrophe rules.
Three Types of Contractions
Contractions fall into three groups: subject + auxiliary verb, auxiliary + not, and modal + have/would/will. The apostrophe always marks the position of the removed letters.
Word 1 + omitted letters (marked by apostrophe) + Word 2 = contractionSubject + Auxiliary Verb
| Full form | Contraction | Apostrophe replaces |
|---|---|---|
| I am | I'm | the letter 'a' |
| you are / we are / they are | you're / we're / they're | the letter 'a' |
| he is / she is / it is | he's / she's / it's | the letters 'i' |
| I have / you have / we have / they have | I've / you've / we've / they've | the letters 'ha' |
| he has / she has / it has | he's / she's / it's | the letters 'ha' (same form as 'is') |
| I will / you will / he will / etc. | I'll / you'll / he'll / etc. | the letters 'wi' |
| I would / you would / etc. | I'd / you'd / etc. | the letters 'woul' |
Auxiliary + Not
| Full form | Contraction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| do not / does not / did not | don't / doesn't / didn't | standard negation contractions |
| cannot | can't | 'cannot' is one word; contraction replaces 'no' |
| will not | won't | irregular — the vowel changes from 'i' to 'o' |
| would not / could not / should not | wouldn't / couldn't / shouldn't | modal + not |
| have not / has not / had not | haven't / hasn't / hadn't | perfect auxiliary + not |
| is not / are not / was not / were not | isn't / aren't / wasn't / weren't | be verb + not |
Modal + Have (Perfect Modals)
| Full form | Contraction | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| should have | should've | past obligation — 'should've arrived earlier' |
| could have | could've | past possibility — 'could've been worse' |
| would have | would've | past conditional — 'would've helped if asked' |
| must have | must've | past deduction — 'must've been exhausted' |
When to Use and Avoid Contractions
Informal and conversational writing
Contractions are the natural form in informal writing, messages, and dialogue. Using full forms in these contexts sounds stilted. Match the register of the text: if the writing is conversational, use contractions.
- Informal email: I'm writing to say I won't be able to make it on Thursday.
- Text message: We're running late — don't wait for us.
- Dialogue: 'She doesn't know yet,' he said quietly.
Formal writing — avoid contractions
Academic essays, formal reports, and business documents use full forms. Contractions signal informality and can undermine the authority of formal writing. IELTS Task 2 band descriptors reward formal register; contractions risk dropping a band.
- Formal — correct: The committee does not support the proposal.
- Formal — avoid: The committee doesn't support the proposal.
- Formal — correct: It would not be appropriate to proceed without further evidence.
- Formal — avoid: It wouldn't be appropriate to proceed.
Contraction Warning Signals
Contraction vs Possessive
Apostrophes in English mark either a contraction (omitted letters) or a possessive (ownership). These are completely different and must not be confused.
Contraction — apostrophe replaces omitted letters
It's been a long week.
it's = it has. The apostrophe replaces 'ha' from 'has'.
Possessive — apostrophe shows ownership
The report lost its cover page.
'its' = belonging to it. No apostrophe in possessive pronouns: its, hers, his, ours, theirs.
Contraction
They're presenting the findings tomorrow.
they're = they are.
Possessive
Their presentation was excellent.
'their' = belonging to them. No apostrophe.
Common Mistakes
Confusing it's (contraction) with its (possessive)
✗ The project had its' problems, and it's outcome was uncertain.
The project had its problems, and its outcome was uncertain. / It's clear the project had problems.
'its' as a possessive never has an apostrophe, just like 'his' and 'hers'. 'It's' means 'it is' or 'it has'. No form 'its'' exists.
Writing 'could of / would of / should of'
✗ She should of told us earlier. We could of avoided the problem.
She should have told us earlier. We could have avoided the problem.
The spoken contraction 'should've' sounds like 'should of', but the full form is always 'should have'. 'Of' is never part of a modal perfect — it is never correct in writing.
Using contractions in formal academic writing
✗ It can't be argued that the policy doesn't address the core issue.
It cannot be argued that the policy does not address the core issue.
Formal register requires full forms. Contractions in academic or professional writing signal informal register and reduce credibility.
Misplacing the apostrophe
✗ It'is a common mistake. / Doesnt anyone check the work?
It's a common mistake. / Doesn't anyone check the work?
The apostrophe marks exactly where letters were removed. In 'it's', the 'a' from 'is' is removed — not after the contraction. In 'doesn't', the 'o' from 'not' is removed.
Ready to practise?
Put it into practice
Test your understanding with interactive exercises and instant feedback.