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It lists common contractions and the full forms they represent, then clarifies frequent confusion between “it’s” (it is) and “its” (a possessive pronoun). The guide also covers when contractions are inappropriate in formal writing, followed by two practice activities with answer keys to reinforce correct use.",{"@graph":63,"@context":112},[64,80,95],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":36,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/forms/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/contractions-common-contractions-usage-and-practice/573800/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"author":82,"headline":59,"publisher":85,"fileFormat":88,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":89,"datePublished":89,"encodingFormat":88,"isAccessibleForFree":90,"interactionStatistic":91},"DigitalDocument",{"name":83,"@type":84},"Mia  ","Person",{"url":68,"name":86,"@type":87},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-14",true,{"@type":92,"interactionType":93,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":94},"ViewAction",{"@type":96,"mainEntity":97},"FAQPage",[98,104,108],{"name":99,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":101},"What is a contraction in English, and how is it formed?","Question",{"text":102,"@type":103},"A contraction is a shortened form of a group of words. When written in English, the omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe.","Answer",{"name":105,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":106},"When should contractions be avoided?",{"text":107,"@type":103},"Contractions are often considered inappropriate in formal writing. Avoid them when writing for a class or in professional documents such as personal statements or cover letters.",{"name":109,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":110},"What is the difference between “it’s” and “its”?",{"text":111,"@type":103},"“It’s” means “it is,” while “its” is a possessive pronoun.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":114,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":86,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":116,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":118,"site_id":56},573800,1791946976,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":121},{"doc_id":118,"user_id":122,"nickname":83,"user_avatar":123,"doc_module":9,"category_id":35,"category_name":36,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":124,"file_id":125,"file_url":126,"file_type":127,"file_size":128,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":76,"language":129,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":130,"faqs":131,"seo_title":132,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":119,"read_time":9},687207024478,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_a8503ba1806abce46bf441b54a3ca4cd","Contractions  \nBy definition, a contraction is a shortened form of a group of words. Contractions are used in both written and oral communication. When a contraction is written in English, the omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe.  \nCommon Contractions  \nHere are some common contractions and the groups of words that they represent.  \naren’t 􀃆 are not can’t 􀃆 can not couldn’t 􀃆 could not didn’t 􀃆 did not doesn’t 􀃆 does not don’t 􀃆 do not hadn’t 􀃆 had not  \nhasn’t 􀃆 has not haven’t 􀃆 have not he’d 􀃆 he had; he would he’ll 􀃆 he will; he shall he’s 􀃆 he is; he has I’d 􀃆 I had; I would I’ll 􀃆 I will; I shall I’m 􀃆 I am  \nI’ve 􀃆 I have isn’t 􀃆 is not let’s 􀃆 let us  \nmightn’t 􀃆 might not mustn’t 􀃆 must not shan’t 􀃆 shall not  \nshe’d 􀃆 she had; she would she’ll 􀃆 she will; she shall she’s 􀃆 she is; she has shouldn’t 􀃆 should not  \nthere’s 􀃆 there is; there has they’d 􀃆 they had; they would they’ll 􀃆 they will; they shall they’re 􀃆 they are  \nthey’ve 􀃆 they have  \nwe’d 􀃆 we had; we would we’re 􀃆 we are  \nwe’ve 􀃆 we have  \nweren’t 􀃆 were not  \nwhat’ll 􀃆 what will; what shall what’re 􀃆 what are  \nwhat’s 􀃆 what is; what has what’ve 􀃆 what have where’s 􀃆 where is; where has who’d 􀃆 who had; who would who’ll 􀃆 who will; who shall who’re 􀃆 who are  \nwho’s 􀃆 who is; who has who’ve 􀃆 who have  \nwon’t 􀃆 will not  \nwouldn’t 􀃆 would not  \nyou’d 􀃆 you had; you would you’ll 􀃆 you will; you shall you’re 􀃆 you are  \nyou’ve 􀃆 you have  \nthat’s 􀃆 that is; that has  \nOne contraction that is not on the above list is “it’s.” It is useful to note that “it’s,” a contraction, is often confused with “its,” a possessive pronoun. Remember,  \nit’s 􀃆 it is and its 􀃆 possessive pronoun  \nHere they are used in sentences.  \nExamples of It’s and Its  \nIt’s nice outside today. 􀃆 It is nice outside today.  \nThe dog ate its food. (The food belongs to the dog.)  \nContraction Usage  \nYou probably use contractions when you speak to your friends and family members every day; however, it is important to note that contractions are often considered inappropriate in formal writing. Professors, employers, and other professionals like to see that you have taken your time on a document, and using contractions is sometimes seen as a shortcut. To be safe, never use contractions when writing for a class or when writing a professional document, such as a personal statement or cover letter.  \nActivity 1  \nEach of the following sentences can be rewritten to contain one or more contraction(s). Using the provided list as a reference, rewrite the following sentences.  \n1. I have been studying for hours, but I still do not feel ready for the exam.  \n2. You were not at the coffee shop yesterday.  \n3. The paint she picked out was a lovely color, but it did not match the trim.  \n4. We would go to the beach with you; however, we have got too many chores to do.  \n5. You should not use contractions in formal writing.  \nAnswer Key for Activity 1  \n1. I’ve, don’t  \n2. weren’t  \n3. didn’t  \n4. We’d, we’ve  \n5. shouldn’t  \nActivity 2  \nEach of the following sentences contains one or more contraction (s) . Rewrite each sentence, replacing any contractions with the groups of words they represent.  \n1. I can’t go with you because I’m busy that day.  \n2. It’s clear that the dog is frightened because he keeps placing his tail between his legs.  \n3. They’ve been trimming the trees at the park since this morning; I haven’t been able to sleep since they started.  \n4. You mustn’t pester your grandmother like that.  \n5. She’ll bring Jonathan with her if he’s willing to chip in for gas.  \nAnswer Key for Activity 2  \n1. can not, I am  \n2. It is  \n3. They have, have not  \n4. must not  \n5. She will, he is  \nReferences  \nNordquist, Richard. \"A List of Standard Contractions in English.\" [About Education](About Education. About.com)[. About.com](About Education. About.com), n.d. Web. 28 July 2014.","cbCaiqgdFy4QYWcH","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqgdFy4QYWcH","pdf",526980,"English","# Common Contractions\n## Contraction Lists and Full Forms\n## It’s vs Its\n## Contraction Usage\n# Activity 1\n## Answer Key for Activity 1\n# Activity 2\n## Answer Key for Activity 2\n# References","[{\"question\":\"What is a contraction in English, and how is it formed?\",\"answer\":\"A contraction is a shortened form of a group of words. When written in English, the omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe.\"},{\"question\":\"When should contractions be avoided?\",\"answer\":\"Contractions are often considered inappropriate in formal writing. Avoid them when writing for a class or in professional documents such as personal statements or cover letters.\"},{\"question\":\"What is the difference between “it’s” and “its”?\",\"answer\":\"“It’s” means “it is,” while “its” is a possessive pronoun.\"}]","Contractions - Common Contractions, Usage, and Practice | PDF"]