Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases that are created by combining two words and omitting certain letters, which are often replaced by an apostrophe. They are commonly used in informal speech and writing to make language more fluid and conversational.
For example:
- "do not" becomes "don't"
- "I am" becomes "I'm"
- "you are" becomes "you're"
- "it is" becomes "it's"
Contractions are found in many languages, but their use can vary widely. In English, they are particularly prevalent in spoken language and casual writing, while in formal writing, contractions are usually avoided.