This page lists some common informal contractions in spoken English. Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases. For example sentences and songs. Vocabulary for ESL learners and teachers.
Definition-
Informal contractions are abbreviations for other words that people use casually. They're not exactly slang, but they're close.
For instance, "going to" is a contraction of "going to." Going to can sound like going to if you say it too quickly and without carefully pronouncing each word.
Example-
Some common informal contractions are listed below, along with example sentences. Please keep in mind that the example sentences may be a little phoney because when we use a contraction, we may also use other contractions in the same sentence, or we may even drop some words entirely. As an example:
or
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.
gimme = give me
Gimme your money.
Don't gimme that rubbish.
Can you gimme a hand?
gonna = going to
Nothing's gonna change my love for you.
I'm not gonna tell you.
What are you gonna do?
gotta = (have) got a
I've gotta gun.
I gotta gun.
She hasn't gotta penny.
Have you gotta car?
gotta = (have) got to
I've gotta go now.
I gotta go now.
We haven't gotta do that.
Have they gotta work?
kinda = kind of
She's kinda cute.
lemme = let me
Lemme go!
wanna = want to
I wanna go home.
wanna = want a
I wanna coffee.
whatcha = what are you
Whatcha going to do?
whatcha= what have you
Whatcha got there?
ya = you
Who saw ya?
Conclusion-
Please keep in mind that these are colloquial contractions. That is, we do not use them in "correct" speech, and they are almost never used in writing. (If you see them written, such as in a comic strip, it's because the written words represent the spoken words or dialogue.) We normally use them only when speaking quickly and casually, such as with friends. Some people never use them, even in casual conversation.
