30+ Commonly Used Informal Contractions in English

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?
• ...