Short forms: I'd, I'm, I've, etc.

I'm = I am
used in present simple and present continuous:
- I'm starving!
- I'm having lunch now.

you're, we're, they're = you are, we are, they are
used in present simple and present continuous:
- You're late!
- You're joking!
Negative form: aren't
- At least, you aren't the worst.

he's, she's, it's = he is, she is, it is
used in present simple and present continuous, also after nouns:
- He's 84! Peter's 84?
- She's taking a break. Jo's taking a break.
- The cat's asleep.
Negative form: isn't
- That isn't (is not) nice.

's is also the contraction for he, she it has, used in the present perfect:
- It's been (has been) two weeks since he left.

Let's is the short form of let us:
- Let's get out of here.

I've, you've, we've, they've = I have, you have, we have, they have
've is the contraction for have, used in the present perfect:
- I've (I have) had too much to drink.
- They've (they have) never been to Corsica.
Negative form: I haven't, you haven't etc.

'd = would or had (past perfect)
I'd, you'd, we'd, they'd
- I'd (I would) like a gin and tonic and packet of salt and vinegar, please.
- He'd (He had) been in Miami for 3 hours when his credit card was stolen.
Negative form: I wouldn't, you wouldn't etc.
I hadn't, you hadn't etc.

'll = will
I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, it'll, we'll, you'll, they'll
- I'll be with you in a minute.
- She'll be back soon.
Negative form: won't
- You won't mind me asking...

Some of these short forms are also used after question words (what, where, who etc.) and that, there and here:
- Who's (who is) that girl?
- There's (there is) a hole in my bucket.
- Who'd (who would) have thought it?

Now try the exercise on the next page.

Dagmar Taylor