Use contractions to make your English sound more natural
When one begins learning English they are taught to say phrases such as "I will go to the store tomorrow" while this is correct this sentence construction can sometimes sound more robotic than natural making an accent more obvious. If you want to sound more native it helps to use the same shortcuts natives use in everyday conversation.
Such as:
"I'll go to the store tomorrow" or "I'm gonna go to the store tomorrow"
Contractions in English are shortened forms of words or phrases created by combining two words with an apostrophe. For example, "cannot" becomes "can't" and "do not" becomes "don't". Contractions are commonly used in spoken and informal written English to make language sound more natural and less formal. They help to simplify speech and writing, making communication more efficient.
Contractions are used quite frequently in English, especially in conversational settings. They are commonly used in everyday speech, informal writing (such as emails, text messages, and social media posts), and informal contexts like casual conversations with friends and family. However, contractions are generally avoided in formal writing, such as academic papers, business documents, and official correspondence.
Overall, contractions play a significant role in English language usage, contributing to the fluency and naturalness of communication in both spoken and written forms.
Check out the list of the most common contractions below.
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can't (cannot) Example: We can't afford to miss the deadline.
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won't (will not) Example: The company won't be able to meet its quarterly targets.
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don't (do not) Example: Don't forget to submit your expense reports by Friday.
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isn't (is not) Example: The product launch isn't scheduled until next month.
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aren't (are not) Example: Our sales figures aren't as high as we projected.
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it's (it is) Example: It's important to conduct market research before launching a new product.
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they're (they are) Example: They're expanding their operations into new markets.
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I'm (I am) Example: I'm confident that our team can handle the project.
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he's (he is) Example: He's the CEO of the company.
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she's (she is) Example: She's in charge of the marketing department.
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we're (we are) Example: We're hosting a networking event next week.
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you're (you are) Example: You're responsible for preparing the presentation.
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didn't (did not) Example: I didn't receive the email you sent yesterday.
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doesn't (does not) Example: The new policy doesn't apply to existing customers.
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hasn't (has not) Example: The company hasn't announced its financial results yet.
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haven't (have not) Example: We haven't finalized the budget for next year.
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should've (should have) Example: We should've implemented these changes sooner.
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could've (could have) Example: We could've avoided this issue with better communication.
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mustn't (must not) Example: Employees mustn't disclose confidential information.
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needn't (need not) Example: You needn't worry about that aspect of the project.
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I'd (I would) Example: I'd like to discuss the proposal further before making a decision.
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we'd (we would) Example: We'd be happy to provide a demonstration of our software.
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you'd (you would) Example: You'd save time by using our automated invoicing system.
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they'd (they would) Example: They'd have to reconsider their strategy if they want to stay competitive.
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it'd (it would) Example: It'd be beneficial to explore new marketing channels for our product.