Informal contractions are short forms of other words that people use when speaking casually. They are not exactly slang, but they are a little like slang. Learn a list of informal contractions below to speak English faster.
Informal Contractions
Informal contractions are short forms of other words that people use when speaking casually. They are not exactly slang, but they are a little like slang.
For example, “gonna” is a short form of “going to”. If you say “going to” very fast, without carefully pronouncing each word, it can sound like “gonna”.
Please remember that these are informal contractions. That means that we do not use them in “correct” speech, and we almost never use them in writing. (If you see them in writing, for example in a comic strip, that is because the written words represent the spoken words or dialogue.) We normally use them only when speaking fast and casually, for example with friends. Some people never use them, even in informal speech.
It is probably true to say that informal contractions are more common in American English. Also note that, unlike normal contractions, we do not usually use apostrophes (‘) with informal contractions when written.
For example:
- What are you going to do?
- Whatcha going to do?
- Whatcha gonna do?
or
- Do you want a beer?
- Do you wanna beer?
- D’you wanna beer?
- D’ya wanna beer?
- Ya wanna beer?
- Wanna beer?
These informal contractions are not “correct” English. Do not use them in a written exam, for example, except in appropriate situations.
ain’t = am not/are not/is not
- I ain’t sure.
- You ain’t my boss.
ain’t = has not/have not
- I ain’t done it.
- She ain’t finished yet.
List of Informal Contractions
Informal Contraction List
- gonna
- wanna
- gotta
- lemme
- ’em
- kinda
- sorta
- ’bout
- lotta
- kinda
- gotta
- ’til
- ain’t
- c’mon
- ‘kay
- ya’ll
- I’ma
- ’nuff
- gonna
- don’tcha
- outta
- wouldn’ta
- coulda
- shoulda
- gotta
- wanna
- y’all
- I’m’a
- oughtta
- hafta
- wanna
- let’sa
- hadn’ta
- d’you
- don’tcha
- they’re
- you’re
- I’ll
- I’ve
- I’d
- he’s
- she’s
- we’re
- they’ve
- he’d
- she’d
- we’d
- they’ll
Informal Contraction Example Sentences
- I’m gonna grab some lunch.
- Do you wanna come with me?
- I gotta finish this report by the end of the day.
- Lemme know if you need anything.
- What ’bout the meeting, is it still on?
- I kinda like that song.
- I’m sorta busy today, can we reschedule?
- There’s a lotta people here today.
- I ain’t never seen anything like that before.
- C’mon, let’s go have some fun.
- Kay, I’ll be there in ten minutes.
- Y’all ready for the game tonight?
- I’ma take a nap before dinner.
- I’ll be working ’til late tonight.
- I wouldn’ta believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.
- I coulda sworn I heard someone call my name.
- I shoulda brought my umbrella.
- I gotta go to the bathroom.
- Do you wanna go see a movie later?
- We’re gonna have a good time at the party tonight.
- I don’tcha think that’s a good idea?
- I’m running outta time.
- I wouldn’ta thought it would take so long.
- I coulda done better on that test.
- I shoulda studied more.
- I gotta hurry if I want to make it on time.
- You wanna join me for a cup of coffee?
- We’re gonna have a lot of fun on the trip.
- Y’all need to come over and try my cooking.
- I’ma show you how to do it the right way.
- I’m gonna go to the store.
- You wanna come with me?
- Gotta finish this project today.
- Lemme grab my coat.
- What ’bout you? Are you coming?
- I kinda like that idea.
- I’m sorta tired, but I’ll push through.
- There’s a lotta work to be done.
- I ain’t going if they’re not coming.
- C’mon, let’s go.
Common Informal Contractions | Images
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