A contraction is a word made from 2 words. In English, we are very lazy speakers and want to say things fast. Often, it is because of the rhythm of English. Contractions are used very often!! It's important to know them so you can speak and understand English well. This lesson is about the contractions we use with the verb "to be".
Let's review the verb "to be":
I am
you are
he is
she is
it is
we are
they are
The contractions are:
I am = I'm
you are = you're
he is = he's
she is = she's
it is = it's
we are = we're
they are = they're
note Maybe you don't hear people say the "m" in "I'm" or the "s" in "he's", "she's", or "it's", but I promise you IT IS THERE!! You cannot leave out the "m" or the "s" or the "r" because it is very important: it is the verb "to be" in the sentence. EVERY ENGLISH SENTENCE MUST HAVE A VERB! You must start to notice when the sentence has the verb "to be" in order to understand English, how to make questions, and how to speak correctly.
Instead of saying, "I am hungry", most English speakers say, "I'm hungry."
Instead of saying, "You are happy", most English speakers say, "You're happy."
Instead of saying, "He is scared", most English speakers say, "He's scared" (even this may sound like "He'sscared" which is why you might not hear the "s" from "he's", but I promise you IT IS THERE!!
more examples:
She is tall. = She's tall.
It is cold. = It's cold.
We are bored. = We're bored.
They are sick. = They're sick.
Short answers to a yes/no question with the verb "to be":
If the answer is "yes", never use a contraction.
For example:
Are you hungry?
Yes, I am.
NOT: Yes, I'm.
Is he happy?
Yes, he is.
NOT: Yes, he's.
Is it hot?
Yes, it is.
NOT Yes, it's.
Long answers to a yes/no question with the verb "to be":
You can choose if you want to use the contraction or not. (Most of the time, English speakers use contractions.)
For example:
Are you hungry?
Yes, I'm hungry. Yes, I am hungry.
Is he happy?
Yes, he's happy. Yes, he is happy.
Is it hot?
Yes, it's hot. Yes, it is hot.
extra info: Since we make contractions so often in English to speak, we will automatically make other words into contractions. When we use the word "is", it often just sounds like a "s" sound at the end of the previous word. The grammar books will not teach this, because it is grammatically incorrect, but it is the way we say it!
For example:
"My grandma is happy." You will probably hear an English speaker say, "My grandma's happy." (This is NOT how we write it, but this is how we SAY it!)
"The table is black." You will probably hear an English speaker say, "The table's black." (again...this is NOT correct to write it like this, but this is how we SAY it!)
"My aunt is a nurse." will sound like "My aunt's a nurse."
"The tree is green." will sound like "The tree's green."
(It's important to hear the "s" because it is the verb "is" in the sentence and every sentence needs a verb!)
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