Here is a list of some examples of contraction in English:
Full Forms | Contracted forms |
I am | I'm |
you / we / they are | you / we / they're |
she / he is | she / he's |
I am not | I'm not |
you / we / they are not | you / we / they aren't |
she / he is not | she / he isn't |
I / you /we / they have | I / you /we / they've |
she / he has | she / he's |
they have | they've |
I had | I'd |
I would | I'd |
I will | I'll |
I do not | I don't |
he does not | he doesn't |
I did not | I didn't |
I have not | I haven't |
I had not | I hadn't |
I cannot | I can't |
I could not | I couldn't |
I will not | I won't |
I would not | I wouldn't |
I should not | I shouldn't |
I must not | I mustn't |
There is | There's |
where is | where's |
who is | who's |
Clipping
What is clipping?
Clipping refers to the reduction of a polysyllabic word by dropping a syllable or more from it.Clipping is also called truncation or shortening.
Examples:
· spec = speculation
· vet = veteran
Types of clipping
There are three types of clipping:
Back clipping
In this type the beginning is retained:
Examples:
· ad = advertisement
· cable = cablegram
· doc = doctor
· exam = examination
· fax = facsimile
· gas = gasoline
· gym = gymnastics, gymnasium
· memo = memorandum
· pub = public house
· pop = popular music
Fore-clipping
The final part is retained:
Examples:
· chute = parachute
· coon = raccoon
· gator = alligator
· phone = telephone
Middle clipping
The middle part is retained.
Example:
· flu = influenza
· fridge = refrigerator
Complex clipping
Clipping may also occur in compounds. In complex clipping, one part of the original compound most often remains intact. But sometimes both halves of a compound are clipped:
Examples:
· cablegram = cable telegram
· op art = optical art
· org-man = organization man
· linocut = linoleum cut
· navicert = navigation certificate
When both halves are clipped, as in navicert, it becomes confusing whether to consider the resultant formation as clipping or as blending.
Blending
What are blends?
A blend, in morphology, is a word formed from parts of two or more words. In this sense blending is a process, among other processes, of creating new words.
Examples:
- brunch = breakfast + lunch
- Breathalyzer = breath + analyzer
- camcorder = camera + recorder
- emoticon = emote + icon
- motel = motor car + hotel
- Globish = global + English
- sitcom = situation + comedy
- smog = smoke + fog
- Spork = spoon + fork
- workaholic = work + alcoholic
Demonstratives - This, that, these, those
What are demonstratives?
Demonstratives are words that show which person or thing is being referred to. In the sentence:
'This is my brother',
'this' is a demonstrative
The demonstratives in English are this, that, these, and those
Demonstrative pronouns vs demonstrative adjectives
A distinction must be made between demonstrativeadjectives (or demonstrativedeterminers) and demonstrative pronouns (or independent demonstratives).
A demonstrative adjective modifies a noun:
This apple is good. I like those houses. (This modifies 'apple' and those modifies 'houses')
A demonstrative pronoun stands on its own, replacing rather than modifying a noun:
This is good. I like those. (This and those don't modify any nouns they stand alone and replace other nouns)
Use of demonstratives
Demonstratives differ according to:
- distance: near or far,
- or number: singular or plural.
Here are the main distinctions:
- This modifies or refers to singular nouns that are near to the speaker.
- That modifies or refers to singular nouns that are far from the speaker.
- These modifies or refers to plural nouns that are near to the speaker.
- Those modifies or refers to plural nouns that are far from the speaker.
Demonstratives | Singular | Plural | Near | Far |
This | - | - | ||
That | - | - | ||
These | - | - | ||
Those | - | - |
Es or No Questions
Types of questions
There are two types of questions:
- Yes or no questions
- Wh questions
Yes-no questions
Yes or no questions are questions whose expected answer is either "yes" or "no".