Informal Contractions

Informal contractions are short forms of other words that people use when speaking casually. They are not exactly slang, but they are a little like slang.

For example, "gonna" is a short form of "going to". If you say going to very fast, without carefully pronouncing each word, it can sound like gonna.

Please remember that these are informal contractions. That means that we do not use them in "correct" speech, and we almost never use them in writing. (If you see them in writing, for example in a comic strip, that is because the written words represent the spoken words or dialogue.) We normally use them only when speaking fast and casually, for example with friends. Some people never use them, even in informal speech.

It is probably true to say that informal contractions are more common in American English.

Also note that, unlike normal contractions, we do not always use apostrophes (') with informal contractions when written.

Listed below are some common informal contractions, with example sentences. Note that the example sentences may be a little artificial because when we use a contraction we may also use other contractions in the same sentence, or even drop some words completely. For example:

or

These informal contractions are not "correct" English. Do not use them in a written exam, for example, except in appropriate situations.

slang warningWARNING! The following song may not be appropriate for some ages and audiences. Please preview before using in class.

LYRICS

Whatcha doin' tonight, baby?
I kinda like your style, lady.
Wanna hang out for a while, honey?
I'm gonna drive you wild, so try me!
Gimme everything you've got, baby.
Lemme see the lot, lady.
We really gotta rock, honey.

And it goes somethin' like this...

Whatcha, Kinda, Wanna
Gonna, Gimme, Lemme, Gotta

Whatcha, Kinda, Wanna
Gonna, Gimme, Lemme, Gotta

Oh, let's do it again

Whatcha doin' tonight, baby?
I kinda like your style, lady.
Wanna hang out for a while, honey?
I'm gonna drive you wild, so try me!
Gimme everything you've got, baby.
Lemme see the lot, lady.
We really gotta rock, honey.

And it goes somethin' like this...

Whatcha, Kinda, Wanna
Gonna, Gimme, Lemme, Gotta

Whatcha, Kinda, Wanna
Gonna, Gimme, Lemme, Gotta

All over again
Uhuh