30+ Commonly Used Informal Contractions in English

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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. In this lesson, you will learn a list of informal contractions with example sentences and ESL picture.

Informal Contractions 

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