Words: Contractions

Class 6 English · Chapter 3: Rama to the Rescue · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 27–28

Learn

Look at these lines from the story: "I'm feeling so sleepy." "It's a thief." "They're awake." Each highlighted word is a short form with a letter missing. The missing letter is shown by an apostrophe (').

These short forms are called contractions: I'm = I am; it's = it is; they're = they are; what's = what is; I'll = I will; I'd = I would (or I had); we'll = we will; that's = that is; we're = we are; don't = do not; you'll = you will; must've = must have.

More contractions with not: can't = cannot; won't = will not; didn't = did not; wouldn't = would not; shouldn't = should not. And with have: I've = I have.

When to use them: we usually use contractions when speaking and in friendly writing; in formal writing we often use the full (expanded) form. Be careful: it's (it is) is different from its (belonging to it), and they're is different from there and their!

Explore: match each contraction to its full form.

1. Sort each contraction.

Remember

• A contraction is a short form where an apostrophe replaces missing letters (I'm = I am, don't = do not).
• Use contractions in speech and friendly writing; use full forms in formal writing.

Quick check

What is the full form of "they're"?

1. they are
2. there
3. their
4. they were

Think about it

Rewrite this sentence using contractions: "I am sure that we will find it, because it is here."

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.