[Grammar] Short forms of verb "to be" for names and nouns

Status
Not open for further replies.

Zoenguyen

New member
Joined
Aug 21, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Vietnam
Current Location
Vietnam
I have a question. Can I use the contracted form of "be" after names and nouns?
Is it possible if I say "My parents're teacher", New York's in the USA, "My sister's a doctor".
I look up in the dictionary and see that they use "Mary's upstairs". I am confused and dont know when it's possible to use contracted form of "be"
Please help me. Thanks!
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I have a question. Can I use the contracted form of "be" after names and nouns?
Is it possible if I say "My parents're teacher", New York's in the USA, "My sister's a doctor".
I look up in the dictionary and see that they use "Mary's upstairs". I am confused and dont know when it's possible to use contracted form of "be"
Please help me. Thanks!

Yes, it is done. "Teacher" should be "teachers" -- there are 2.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
In writing, 'are' is normally contracted only after the pronouns 'you' and 'they'.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top