Informal contractions are commonly used in American English.

They are short forms

of other words that people use when speaking informally.

Table of Contents

Informal Contractions List

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.

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?
 Got you – gotcha – We gotcha!
 Bet you – betcha – Betcha can’t guess who she is!

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 tea?
 Sort of – sorta –She’s sorta tired.
 A lot of – a lotta – I eat alotta chocolate.

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 – supposeta – 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.
 Got a – gotta – Have you gotta phone?
 Come on – c’mon – Cmon, let’s do it together!
 Some more – s’more – I will need s’more time.
 …

Informal Contractions List in English | Picture