Contractions

[RonBee]

Let's start with let's. Except for some set phrases (example: "Let us pray") let us is almost always expressed as a contraction: let's.

Example:

• Let's go!

It is almost always used to express an imperative, thus:

• Let's do it!

However, sometimes it is used to express something like an admonition, thus:

• Let's do what we ought to do.

Sometimes it is used to make suggestion, thus:

• Let's keep this just between us.

 

[Tdol]

The negative is 'let's not', but you will also come across 'don't let's'. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

Let's not

• Let's not and say we did.

:wink:

Let's discuss contractions.

 

[Red5]

Let's just say we will, in time. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

Let's do that, shall we?

:wink:

 

[Red5]

Yes, let's. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

That's = That is

• That's all = That is all
  That's all I want = That is all I want
  That's it = That is it
  That's my son = That is my son
  That's my child = That is my child
  That's my daughter = That is my daughter
  That's what I wanted to say = That is what I wanted to say
  That's a good idea = That is a good idea

 

[RonBee]

What's = What is

• What's going on = What is going on?
  What's that? = What is that?
  What's happening? = What is happening?
  What's going to happen? = What is goin to happen?

What's = What has

• What's been happening? = What has been happening?
  What's been going on? = What has been going on?

 

[Casiopea]

What's = What is

• What's going on = What is going on?
  What's that? = What is that?
  What's happening? = What is happening?
  What's going to happen? = What is goin to happen?

What's = What has

• What's been happening? = What has been happening?
  What's been going on? = What has been going on?

-ouldn't've = -ould not have

Because of voicless [t], the sound that follows, '-ve' sounds like of, which is where we get the erroneous spelling -ouldn't of.

 

[RonBee]

it's = it is

• It's a man = It is a man
  It's a woman = It is a woman
  It's a boy = It is a boy
  It's a girl = It is a girl
  It's a good thing = It is a good thing
  It's not a good thing = It is not a good thing
  It's time to go = It is time to go
  It's a good day to die = It is a good day to die
  It's a good speech = It is a good speech
  It's hot = It is hot
  It's cold = It is cold
  It's winter = It is winter
  It's summer = It summer

it's = it has

• It's been a good day = It has been a good day
  It's been one of those days = It has been one of those days
  It's been good = It has been good
  It's been fun = It has been fun
  It's been a wonderful life = It has been a wonderful life
  It's been a trying time = It has been a trying time

 

[RonBee]

there's = there is

• There's one = There is one
  There's another = There is another
  There's a red balloon = There is a red balloon
  There's gold in those hills = There is gold in those hills
  Where there's water there's life = Where there is water there is life
  There's a lot of water in the river = There is a lot of water in the river

 

[Tdol]

Negative:

There's not a lot I can do about it.
There isn't much I can do about it.
;-)

 

[RonBee]

Negative:

There's not a lot I can do about it.
There isn't much I can do about it.
;-)

There's not much I can do about it either.

:wink:

 

[RonBee]

"Irregular" contractions:


won't = will not

Examples:

• I don't want to do it, so I won't do it.
  I won't do it unless you make me do it.
  I won't promise you anything.
  I won't do anything.
  Why won't you help me?
  It won't work.
  He won't work.
  She won't work.
  They won't work.
  We won't work.

From those last five sentences, we can plainly see that nobody wants to work.

:wink:

 

[RonBee]

The nots:

• hasn't = has not
  isn't = is not
  don't = do not
  doesn't = does not
  won't = will not
  haven't = have not
  can't = can not
  wouldn't = would not
  shouldn't = should not
  couldn't = could not
  mustn't = must not

He hasn't been here in a long time.
He isn't here now.
I don't know when he will be here.
He doesn't know when he will get here.
I won't know until he gets here.
I haven't been told.
I can't find out.
I wouldn't tell you if I knew.
I shouldn't tell you.
I couldn't tell you if I wanted to.
I mustn't tell anyone.

 

[Tdol]

+ the BE "shan't" for 'shall not'. However, I must say that I can't remember the last time I heard it. More and more, 'shall' is restricted to questions and formal language, where the contraction would be less likely to occur. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

+ the BE "shan't" for 'shall not'. However, I must say that I can't remember the last time I heard it. More and more, 'shall' is restricted to questions and formal language, where the contraction would be less likely to occur. ;-)

Actually, I was going to put shan't on the list, but, as you said, it isn't used much, so I won't let it bother me that it isn't there.

:wink:

 

[Tdol]

I wouldn't worry about it. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

he's = he is
she's = she is
it's = it is
what's = what is
who's = who is
there's = there is
where's = where is

• He's not here = He is not here
  He's somewhere else = He is somewhere else
  He's not in his room = He is not in his room
  He's not answering the phone = He is not answering the phone
  He's from France = He is from France
  He's not my brother = He is not my brother
  He's asleep = He is asleep
  He's not awake = He is not awake

• She's here = She is here
  She's well = She is well
  She's quick = She is quick
  She's from Canada = She is from Canada
  She's living in Japan = She is living in Japan
  She's my friend = She is my friend
  She's not my sister = She is not my sister
  She's sleeping on satin sheets = She is sleeping on satin sheets

• It's a good thing = It is a good thing
  It's morning = It is morning
  It's time to get up = It is time to get up
  It's dark outside = It is dark outside
  It's going to be a rainy day = It is going to be a rainy day

• What's that? = What is that?
  What's the matter? = What is the matter?
  What's the time? = What is the time?
  What's for breakfast? = What is for breakfast?

• Who's there? = Whos is there?
  Who's that? = Who is that?
  Who's calling? = Who is calling?
  I don't know who's driving the bus = I don't know who is driving the bus

• There's a freckle on your face = There is a freckle on your face
  There's someone sitting in your place = There is someone sitting in your place
  There's a car in your space = There is a car in your space
  There's a woman in the race = There is a woman in the race
  There's a girl whose name is Grace = There is a girl whose name is Grace

• Where's my hat? = Where is my hat?
  Where's my wallet? = Where is my wallet?
  Where's my head? = Where is my head?
  Where is the train? = Where is the train?

 

[RonBee]

he's = he has
she's = she has
it's = it has
what's = what has
who's = who has
there's = there has
where's = where has

• He's been my friend = He has been my friend
  He has not struggled = He has not struggled
  He's never been helpful = He has never been helpful
  He's always been a nuisance = He has always been a nuisance
  He's never bled = He has never bled
  He's never been dead = He has never been dead
  He's been here since last Tuesday = He has been here since last Tuesday

• She's been here before = She has been here before
  She's been to the store = She has been to the store
  She's been asleep for an hour = She has been asleep for an hour
  She's had the power = She has had the power

• It's been fun = It has been fun
  It's been a good day = It has been a good day

• What's been going on? = What's been going on?
  What's been going on here? = What's been going on here?
  Who's been sleeping in my bed? Who has been sleeping in my bed?
  Who's taken my keys? = Who has taken my keys?
  There's been someone in my room = There has been someone in my room
  Where's he been? = Where has he been?
  Where's the time gone = Where has the time gone?