Informal contractions are very common in American English. We don’t usually write them except in texts, casual emails, and informal comments on social media.
Informal Contractions – Video
Commonly Used Informal Contractions
Common contractions with “HAVE” with examples
- Should have – shoulda – I shoulda called yesterday.
- Could have – coulda – She coulda been here by 1:00.
- Would have – woulda – He woulda arrived earlier, but the train was late.
- Might have – mighta – You mighta left the bag at the airport.
- Must have – musta – You musta been in a hurry.
- Couldn’t have – couldna -I couldna called because my phone was broken.
- Shouldn’t have – shouldna – She shouldna told you that.
- Wouldn’t have – wouldna – Nick wouldna known about the meeting.
- She would have – she’da – She’da liked to be at the meeting today.
- He would have – he’da – He’da liked to be there too.
- I would have – I’da – I’da written to you, but I didn’t have your address.
- They would have – they’da – I wish they’da given me more time!
- You would have – you’da – You’da enjoyed the concert last night.
Contractions with”YOU” with examples
- Don’t you – dontcha – Dontcha like the movie?
- Didn’t you – didntcha – Didntcha like the movie?
- Won’t you – wontcha – Wontcha drive the car?
- What are you – whatcha or watcha – Whatcha doing?
- Got you – gotcha – I gotcha!
- Bet you – betcha – Betcha can’t guess the answer!
Contractions with “OF” with examples
- KInd of – kinda – I kinda like her.
- Out of – outta – The printer is outta paper.
- Cup of – cuppa – I need a cuppa coffee.
- Sort of – sorta – I sorta need that book.
- A lot of – a lotta – I have a lotta homework tonight.
Contractions with “TO” with examples:
- Got to – gotta – I gotta buy a new car.
- Going to – gonna – She is gonna be there today.
- Need to – needa – I needa go shopping soon.
- Want to – wanna – I wanna blue car.
- Have to – hafta – I hafta save some money.
- Has to – hasta – Tim hasta work today.
- Ought to – oughta – She oughta work two jobs.
- Supposed to – supposeta – I’m supposeta start the job Monday.
- Used to – useta – She useta work there too.
- …
Other informal contractions:
- Give me – gimme – Gimme five minutes.
- Let me – lemme – Lemme see it!
- Tell them – tellem – Tellem I’ll be there soon.
- Don’t know – dunno – I dunno what time it is.
- Got a – gotta – I gotta new job.
- Come on – c’mon – C’mon! We don’t want to be late!
- Some more – s’more – Can I have s’more water?
- …
Informal Contractions | Image
excellent
Can we use informal contaction in writing or just in spelling?