30+ Commonly Used Informal Contractions in English

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