# 🗣️ Contractions & Linking In natural English speech, contractions make sentences quicker and more casual, while linking sounds help speech flow smoothly. This guide covers common contractions and the main types of linking. --- ## Contractions Contractions shorten two words into one, often with an apostrophe, and they signal informal or conversational style. Learn the typical contractions for *be*, *have*, *will*, *would*, and negative forms. --- ### Contractions with *be* Contractions with *be* combine a subject and a form like *is*, *are*, *was*, or *were* into a shorter sound used in speech and informal writing. Here are some common examples. | Full Form | Contraction | | --- | --- | | I am | I'm | | You are | You're | | He is | He's | | She is | She's | | It is | It's | | We are | We're | | They are | They're | | I was | I was / I'm | | You were | You were / You're | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "4c1ed63b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "I'm happy because ___ (be) the first to arrive.", "answer": [ "I'm" ], "translation": "I'm happy because I'm the first to arrive.", "emoji": "🙂", "explanation": "'I am' contracts to 'I'm' when 'be' follows a subject.", "name": "64d0f0ed" }, { "quiz": "4c1ed63b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "They ___ (be) ready to leave now.", "answer": [ "They're" ], "translation": "They're ready to leave now.", "emoji": "🚗", "explanation": "'They are' contracts to 'They're' in informal speech.", "name": "1774106d" }, { "quiz": "4c1ed63b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which of these subjects commonly form contractions with 'be' in present tense? Select all that apply.", "correct": [ "I", "You", "We", "They" ], "incorrect": [ "He (when used as 'have')", "It (only in negative forms)" ], "emoji": "🔤", "explanation": "Subjects like I, you, we, they commonly contract with 'be' (e.g., I'm, you're, we're, they're). 'He' and 'It' also do (he's, it's), but 'He (have)' is incorrect and 'It' contracts in positive forms as well.", "name": "76128f84" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "cc51a18" }> ``` --- ### Contractions with *have* Contractions with *have* often appear when *have* is an auxiliary in perfect tenses, shortening forms like *I've*, *you've*, and *they've*. They make speech faster and more natural. | Full Form | Contraction | | --- | --- | | I have | I've | | You have | You've | | He has | He's | | She has | She's | | It has | It's | | We have | We've | | They have | They've | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "67822a1b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "I've already seen that movie; I ___ (have) seen it twice.", "answer": [ "I've" ], "translation": "I've already seen that movie; I've seen it twice.", "emoji": "🎬", "explanation": "'I have' contracts to 'I've' when 'have' is an auxiliary.", "name": "68b36374" }, { "quiz": "67822a1b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "They | (have) finished their work early today.", "answer": [ "They've" ], "translation": "They've finished their work early today.", "emoji": "✅", "explanation": "In perfect tenses, 'have' contracts with the subject: 'They have' → 'They've'.", "name": "1c698d92" }, { "quiz": "67822a1b", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which sentence uses 'have' as an auxiliary in a contraction?", "correct": [ "She's been there before (she has).", "We've completed the test." ], "incorrect": [ "He's my brother. (be)", "I'll call you later." ], "emoji": "🧩", "explanation": "'Have' contracts in perfect tenses (We've completed). 'She's been' uses 'has' as auxiliary. 'He's my brother' uses 'is'. 'I'll' contracts 'will'.", "name": "495662a8" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "34e13a9" }> ``` --- ### Contractions with *will* Contractions with *will* join a subject to *'ll* and are common in speech for quick future or voluntary actions. They work for all subjects: *I'll*, *you'll*, *he'll*, *she'll*, *we'll*, *they'll*. | Full Form | Contraction | | --- | --- | | I will | I'll | | You will | You'll | | He will | He'll | | She will | She'll | | It will | It'll | | We will | We'll | | They will | They'll | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "25ef678e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "___ (I) call you later?", "answer": [ "I'll" ], "translation": "I'll call you later?", "emoji": "📞", "explanation": "'I will' contracts to 'I'll' in informal speech.", "name": "4162db0b" }, { "quiz": "25ef678e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "They | (will) arrive by noon.", "answer": [ "they'll" ], "translation": "They'll arrive by noon.", "emoji": "🕛", "explanation": "'They will' contracts to 'They'll'.", "name": "69d0b235" }, { "quiz": "25ef678e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which of these contractions use 'll to shorten 'will'? Select all correct answers.", "correct": [ "He'll", "We’ll", "You'll" ], "incorrect": [ "I'd (would/had)", "Can't (cannot)" ], "emoji": "⚡", "explanation": "'ll contracts 'will' after a subject (he'll = he will). 'I'd' can be would or had. 'Can't' is 'cannot'.", "name": "648a5a0b" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "6372999f" }> ``` --- ### Contractions with *would* Contractions with *would* use *'d* and can shorten either *would* or *had* depending on context; they appear in conditionals, offers, and past time. Examples include *I'd*, *you'd*, *he'd*, *she'd*, *we'd*, *they'd*. | Full Form | Contraction | | --- | --- | | I would / had | I'd | | You would / had | You'd | | He would / had | He'd | | She would / had | She'd | | It would / had | It'd | | We would / had | We'd | | They would / had | They'd | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "32a805bf", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "___ (I) like to join you if that's okay.", "answer": [ "I'd" ], "translation": "I'd like to join you if that's okay.", "emoji": "🤝", "explanation": "'I would' contracts to 'I'd'; context determines if 'd is would or had.", "name": "7dd52299" }, { "quiz": "32a805bf", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "She | (would) prefer tea over coffee.", "answer": [ "she'd" ], "translation": "She'd prefer tea over coffee.", "emoji": "🍵", "explanation": "'She would' contracts to 'She'd'.", "name": "18de9973" }, { "quiz": "32a805bf", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which sentence likely uses 'd as 'would' (not 'had')?", "correct": [ "I'd help if I could.", "They'd rather stay home." ], "incorrect": [ "I'd already eaten before you arrived.", "He'd finished the work yesterday." ], "emoji": "❓", "explanation": "'Would' appears in offers, preferences, conditionals ('I'd help'). 'Had' appears in perfect contexts ('I'd eaten'). Context determines the meaning.", "name": "4440e84a" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "57e5d9f3" }> ``` --- ### Negative Contractions Negative contractions combine verbs with *not* to shorten forms like *isn't*, *aren't*, *wasn't*, *weren't*, *don't*, *doesn't*, *didn't*, and *can't*; these are essential for natural speech and quick denial. Here are some frequent negative contractions. | Full Form | Contraction | | --- | --- | | *is not* | isn't | | *are not* | aren't | | *was not* | wasn't | | *were not* | weren't | | *do not* | don't | | *does not* | doesn't | | *did not* | didn't | | *can not* | can't | | *will not* | won't | | *would not* | wouldn't | | *could not* | couldn't | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "1e013b8", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "She ___ (be not) coming to the party.", "answer": [ "isn't" ], "translation": "She isn't coming to the party.", "emoji": "🚫", "explanation": "'Is not' contracts to 'isn't' in negative forms with 'be'.", "name": "784d01d9" }, { "quiz": "1e013b8", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "I ___ (do not) know the answer.", "answer": [ "don't" ], "translation": "I don't know the answer.", "emoji": "❓", "explanation": "'Do not' contracts to 'don't' in common negative statements.", "name": "19da753f" }, { "quiz": "1e013b8", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which of these are NOT standard negative contractions?", "correct": [ "amn't", "isntt" ], "incorrect": [ "isn't", "don't", "can't" ], "emoji": "🛑", "explanation": "'Amn't' and 'isntt' are incorrect/nonstandard. 'Isn't', 'don't', and 'can't' are standard negative contractions.", "name": "5ce3f72e" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "44ff6274" }> ``` --- ## Linking Linking connects sounds between words so speech flows smoothly; listeners can join consonants to vowels, drop or add sounds, and merge similar sounds. Practice linking in phrases to sound more natural. --- ### Linking Consonant to Vowel When a word ends in a consonant sound and the next begins with a vowel sound, speakers link them by pronouncing the consonant at the start of the second word; this makes phrases glide together naturally. For example, *pick it up* sounds like *pick-it-up*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "5ab987ac", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Say it quickly: 'pick ___ (it) up'.", "answer": [ "it" ], "translation": "Say it quickly: 'pick it up'.", "emoji": "🎧", "explanation": "Linking a consonant to a following vowel allows 'pick it up' to glide smoothly.", "name": "778ffaf6" }, { "quiz": "5ab987ac", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Link the sounds in 'turn ___ (off) the light'.", "answer": [ "off" ], "translation": "Link the sounds in 'turn off the light'.", "emoji": "💡", "explanation": "Consonant-to-vowel linking connects 'turn' and 'off' in natural speech.", "name": "6b8213fe" }, { "quiz": "5ab987ac", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which phrase shows consonant-to-vowel linking?", "correct": [ "Pick it", "Turn off", "Go on" ], "incorrect": [ "I am", "She'd like" ], "emoji": "🔗", "explanation": "Linking occurs when a consonant sound connects to a following vowel sound (pick it, turn off). 'I am' involves a contraction with 'be'; 'She'd' is a contraction with 'would/had'.", "name": "3476cb9b" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "ecde5a2" }> ``` --- ### Linking Vowel to Vowel Between two vowel sounds, speakers often insert a small linking sound like *w*, *y*, or *r* to bridge the gap and make speech smoother; the type of sound depends on the vowels involved. For example, *go on* can sound like *go-w-on* and *try it* like *try-y-it*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "65deab15", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "'Try ___ (it) now' often sounds like 'try-y-it'.", "answer": [ "it" ], "translation": "'Try it now' often sounds like 'try-y-it'.", "emoji": "🗣️", "explanation": "Speakers insert a glide (like y) between vowel sounds to smooth transition: 'try it' → 'try-y-it'.", "name": "74ddc29" }, { "quiz": "65deab15", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Between vowels, speakers may add a small ___ (sound) to link words.", "answer": [ "glide" ], "translation": "Between vowels, speakers may add a small glide to link words.", "emoji": "🌉", "explanation": "Linking vowel-to-vowel often uses an added glide like w, y, or r to connect sounds.", "name": "3b462deb" }, { "quiz": "65deab15", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which added sounds are common in vowel-to-vowel linking?", "correct": [ "w", "y", "r" ], "incorrect": [ "t", "k", "s" ], "emoji": "🧭", "explanation": "w, y, and r are common intruding glides between vowel sounds; t, k, s are consonants not typically added for vowel linking.", "name": "25e3835a" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "4072cc2a" }> ``` --- ### Linking Consonant to Consonant When one word ends and the next begins with the same consonant sound, speakers usually pronounce the sound once, merging the two words; this speeds up speech and avoids repetition. For example, *pick kind* sounds like *pickind*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "d0504c3", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "'Pick ___ (kind) of difficult' blends to 'pickind' in fast speech.", "answer": [ "kind" ], "translation": "'Pick kind of difficult' blends to 'pickind' in fast speech.", "emoji": "⚙️", "explanation": "When identical consonant sounds meet, they are pronounced once linking the words (consonant assimilation).", "name": "5fa20b" }, { "quiz": "d0504c3", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Link words with matching final and initial consonant sounds to speed up speech: 'big ___ (game)'.", "answer": [ "game" ], "translation": "Link words with matching final and initial consonant sounds to speed up speech: 'big game'.", "emoji": "🏟️", "explanation": "Consonant-to-consonant linking merges repeated sounds (big game → bigame).", "name": "386544cb" }, { "quiz": "d0504c3", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which pair is an example of consonant-to-consonant linking?", "correct": [ "big game", "pick kind" ], "incorrect": [ "go on", "I am" ], "emoji": "🔀", "explanation": "Pairs where one word ends and the next begins with the same consonant sound link those sounds (big game). 'Go on' is consonant-vowel linking; 'I am' involves a contraction with 'be'.", "name": "15444f69" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "2c445b2c" }> ``` --- ### Elision Elision happens when a sound is dropped in fast speech, usually an unstressed consonant like *t* or *d* between sounds; this makes phrases shorter and more fluid. For example, *next day* can sound like *nex day*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "4d86904e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "In fast speech, 'next ___ (day)' may drop the 't' sound: 'nex day'.", "answer": [ "day" ], "translation": "In fast speech, 'next day' may drop the 't' sound: 'nex day'.", "emoji": "⏭️", "explanation": "Elision omits sounds (like 't' in 'next') to make speech quicker.", "name": "63d1938c" }, { "quiz": "4d86904e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Elision often drops ___ (sounds) between words in casual speech.", "answer": [ "consonants" ], "translation": "Elision often drops consonants between words in casual speech.", "emoji": "✂️", "explanation": "Elision commonly removes unstressed consonant sounds to shorten phrases.", "name": "29a8636" }, { "quiz": "4d86904e", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which context is elision most likely to occur?", "correct": [ "Between a consonant t/d and a following consonant sound", "In unstressed syllables in fast speech" ], "incorrect": [ "At the start of stressed words", "When two vowels meet" ], "emoji": "🎤", "explanation": "Elision commonly removes t/d sounds in consonant clusters during rapid, casual speech.", "name": "2fa9525c" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "4dedaa76" }> ``` --- ### Intrusion Intrusion is when a linking sound like *w*, *y*, or *r* is added between two words even though it isn't in the spelling, to ease the transition between vowel sounds. For example, *I saw it* may sound like *I saw-r-it*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "2af956a9", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "'I saw ___ (it)' may sound like 'I saw-r-it'.", "answer": [ "it" ], "translation": "'I saw it' may sound like 'I saw-r-it'.", "emoji": "👂", "explanation": "Intrusion adds a linking sound (r/w/y) between vowel sounds even if it's not in spelling.", "name": "30b24e08" }, { "quiz": "2af956a9", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Intrusion eases transitions between two ___ (sounds).", "answer": [ "vowel" ], "translation": "Intrusion eases transitions between two vowel sounds.", "emoji": "🌊", "explanation": "Intrusion inserts a glide to smooth transitions between vowel sounds across word boundaries.", "name": "56157143" }, { "quiz": "2af956a9", "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "type": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which intruding sounds are commonly added in English intrusion?", "correct": [ "r", "w", "y" ], "incorrect": [ "l", "m", "n" ], "emoji": "➕", "explanation": "r, w, y are typical intrusive glides; l, m, n are not used for intrusion.", "name": "6c925351" } ], "topic": "english/pronunciation-and-orthography/contractions-and-linking", "name": "467e1fd1" }> ``` --- ### Summary Contractions speed up speech by shortening common word pairs, and linking joins sounds so phrases flow naturally; mastering both helps you sound more fluent and easy to understand. Practice these patterns aloud in everyday sentences. --- ## Examples ```markdown ``` --- ## Summary

Pronunciation & Orthography