Short forms join two words. They occur often in everyday sentences.
The idea
An apostrophe replaces omitted letters: I am becomes I'm; do not becomes don't.
Examples
- I'm on the bus.
- You're very kind.
- She's at the market.
- We're in the garden.
- They don't eat meat.
- It isn't cold today.
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Watch out
Do not confuse it's (it is) with possessive its.
Try it yourself
Write the contraction. ___ at the station. (I am → ___)
Show answer or example answer
I'm
I'm joins the subject and its verb.
Write the contraction. We ___ drink coffee. (do not → ___)
Show answer or example answer
don't
don't combines the auxiliary with the negative.
Write the contraction. The shop ___ open. (is not → ___)
Show answer or example answer
isn't
isn't is the negative short form of is.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Write the contraction. ___ at the station. (I am → ___)
Write the contraction. We ___ drink coffee. (do not → ___)
Write the contraction. The shop ___ open. (is not → ___)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two sentences using short forms.