contraction

Everyday

1. In grammar, a contraction is a short form made by joining two words with an apostrophe, like «don't» (do not) or «I'm» (I am). tree →
2. In science, contraction means getting smaller or shorter, like a metal shrinking when it cools or a muscle tightening. tree →
3. Contractions are the tightenings of the womb when a baby is about to be born. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, the apostrophe in a contraction shows where letters are missing: can't = cannot, it's = it is. In science, metals expand when heated and contract when cooled. Muscles move bones by contraction. Contractions are not used in very formal writing.

Examples

• «Won't» is a contraction of «will not». tree →
• The apostrophe shows the missing letters in a contraction. tree →
• Cold weather causes contraction of the metal rails. tree →
• Muscle contraction makes your arm bend. tree →
• Mum's contractions started, so they went to the hospital. tree →
• Write the contraction for «they are». tree →

Note

Verb: contract. Trap: «it's» (it is) vs «its» (belonging to it); «you're» vs «your». Opposite of contraction (getting smaller) is expansion.