Informal Contractions in English (Full List + Examples)

Understanding common informal contractions can help you sound more fluent in English. This post covers a list of 50 informal contractions with examples. You can access more information about these contractions, including how they look in everyday speech, through pictures and examples. This guide aims to make your speech more natural and native-like.

What Are Informal Contractions?

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Informal contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases often used in casual spoken or written English. They simplify communication but are less appropriate for formal contexts.

Usage:

• Casual Conversations: Common in everyday speech, text messages, or informal emails.
• Not Suitable for Formal Writing: Avoid using these in academic, professional, or official settings.

Informal contractions are widely understood but can sound overly casual or even unprofessional in certain settings. They are commonly used in songs, dialogues, and informal writing to reflect natural speech patterns.

List of Informal Contractions

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Contractions with “HAVE”

• Should have – shoulda – She shoulda called yesterday.
• Could have – coulda – He coulda been here by 5:00.
• Would have – woulda – He woulda arrived soon.
• Might have – mighta – She mightna caught her train.
• Must have – musta – She musta been in a hurry.
• Couldn’t have – couldna – I couldna called because my phone was broken.
• Shouldn’t have – shouldna – I’m sorry, I shouldna told you that.
• Wouldn’t have – wouldna – I wouldna done that if I were you.
• She would have – she’da – She’da been prepared for class.
• He would have – he’da – He’da liked to be there too.
• I would have – I’da – I’da written to you, but I didn’t have your address.
• They would have – they’da – I wish they’da given me more time!
• You would have – you’da – You’da enjoyed the concert last night.
• Must not have – mussna – You mussna stolen the money.

Contractions with “YOU”

• Don’t you – dontcha – Dontcha see it?
• Didn’t you – didntcha – Didntcha like this book?
• Won’t you – wontcha  – Wontcha watch this film?
• What are you – whatcha or watcha – Whatcha doing?
• What have you – whatcha – Whatcha got there?
• Got you – gotcha – We gotcha!
• Bet you – betcha – Betcha can’t guess who she is!
• Do you – d’you – D’you like him?
• Did you – dija– Did you do it?

Contractions with “OF”

• Kind of – kinda  – Anna’s kinda cute.
• Out of – outta – I’m outta money.
• Cup of – cuppa  – Would you like a cuppa?
• Sort of – sorta –She’s sorta tired.
• A lot of – a lotta – I eat alotta chocolate.
• Lots of – lotsa – He has lotsa money.
• Much of – mucha – It’s not mucha surprise, is it?

Contractions with “TO”

• Got to – gotta –You’ve gotta go.
• Going to – gonna – I’m gonna tell you the truth.
• Need to – needa –You needa know about Jame.
• Want to – wanna – I wanna blue car.
• Have to – hafta – We hafta go.
• Has to – hasta – John hasta work today.
• Ought to – oughta – You oughta phone your brother.
• Supposed to – supposta – I’m supposta start a new job on Monday.
• Used to – useta – She usta live in France.

Other Informal Contractions

• Give me – gimme – Gimme the book!
• Let me – lemme – Lemme see!
• Tell them – tell’em – We should tell’em the truth.
• Don’t know – dunno – I dunno.
• Come on – c’mon – C’mon, let’s do it together!
• Some more – s’more – I will need s’more time.
• Am not/are not/is not – Ain’t – She ain’t hungry.
• Has not/have not – Ain’t – He ain’t done it yet.
• Because – cos – I cry cos I’m in pain.
• Isn’t it? – innit? – It’s blue, innit?
• I’m going to – I’mma – I’mma talk to my mother.
• Later – Layder – See ya layder.

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