Learn How to Contract Words | Contractions for Kids | Contractions in English with the Blue Bug!

Alphabets Sounds Video

share us on:

In this lesson, the Blue Bug, Drew, introduces contractions, which are shortened forms of two words created by omitting letters and using an apostrophe. The lesson covers various types of contractions, including pronoun-verb combinations, question words, and negative forms, providing examples for each. Students are encouraged to practice creating their own contractions and can find additional exercises on the Tutoring Hour website.
  1. What is a contraction, and can you give an example?
  2. How do we make a contraction from the words “she” and “is”? What do we replace?
  3. Can you think of a negative contraction and explain what two words it combines?

Learn How to Contract Words with the Blue Bug!

Hello and welcome to Tutoring Hour! I’m the Blue Bug, and my name is Drew. I love to make words shorter when I talk. Today, we’re going to learn about something called contractions. Let’s have some fun with words!

What Are Contractions?

Contractions are short words made by combining two words. We take out some letters and replace them with a special mark called an apostrophe. For example, the words “I” and “am” can be combined to make “I’m.” We take out the letter “a” and put an apostrophe in its place.

Let’s Make Some Contractions!

Let’s try making a contraction with the words “she” and “is.” We take out the letter “i” from “is” and replace it with an apostrophe. Now we have “she’s.” Isn’t that cool?

More Pronoun-Verb Contractions

Here are some more examples of pronoun-verb contractions:

  • “He” and “is” become “he’s.”
  • “It” and “is” become “it’s.”
  • “She” and “had” become “she’d.”
  • “You” and “will” become “you’ll.”
  • “We” and “are” become “we’re.”
  • “They” and “have” become “they’ve.”

Contractions with Questions

We can also make contractions with question words and verbs. Let’s see how:

  • “What” and “is” become “what’s.”
  • “How” and “is” become “how’s.”
  • “Where” and “is” become “where’s.”

Negative Contractions

Negative contractions are made by combining a verb with the word “not.” Let’s try some:

  • “Had” and “not” become “hadn’t.”
  • “Is” and “not” become “isn’t.”
  • “Do” and “not” become “don’t.”
  • “Did” and “not” become “didn’t.”
  • “Should” and “not” become “shouldn’t.”
  • “Would” and “not” become “wouldn’t.”
  • “Can” and “not” become “can’t.”

Practice Makes Perfect!

Now it’s your turn! Can you think of two words that make a contraction? If you want to practice more, visit www.tutoringhour.com for fun exercises. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more exciting educational videos. Thanks for learning with me today!

  • Can you think of a time when you heard someone use a contraction? What was it, and how did it make the sentence shorter or easier to say?
  • Why do you think people use contractions when they speak or write? How do contractions make communication different?
  • Can you create a fun sentence using at least two contractions? Share it with your family or friends and see if they can spot the contractions!
  1. Contraction Hunt: Go on a contraction hunt around your home or classroom! Look for books, magazines, or even cereal boxes. Can you find any contractions? Write down the contractions you find and the two words they are made from. Share your list with a friend or family member and see who found the most!

  2. Contraction Match-Up: Create a set of contraction cards. On one card, write a contraction like “can’t,” and on another card, write the two words it comes from, like “cannot.” Mix up the cards and try to match each contraction with its two-word pair. You can play this game with a friend or family member to see who can make the most matches!

  3. Contraction Creation: Think of a sentence using two words that can be turned into a contraction. For example, “She is going to the park.” Change the sentence to use a contraction: “She’s going to the park.” Write down your new sentence and draw a picture to go with it. Share your sentence and drawing with the class!

Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:

Hello and welcome to Tutoring Hour! I’m the Bug Blue, and my name is Drew. I contract words when I chat or talk. I learn the rules and practice them until I become the Bug Blue who can contract faster.

In this video, we’ll learn about contractions. Let’s begin with the word “I.” It is a combination of two words: “I” and “am.” The letter “a” is omitted in the contraction and is replaced with an apostrophe.

A contraction is a short word created by combining two words. Certain letters from the original words are omitted, and these omitted letters are replaced with an apostrophe.

Let’s try contracting the pronoun “she” and the verb “is.” We’ll omit the vowel “i” in the verb “is” and replace it with an apostrophe, which makes it “she’s.”

Now, let’s take a look at some more pronoun-verb contractions. Remember, a pronoun-verb contraction is the most common type of contraction.

We’ll contract the pronoun “he” and the verb “is,” which gives us “he’s.” The verb “is” becomes “it’s.” “She” and “had” become “she’d.” “You” and “will” become “you’ll.” “We” and “are” become “we’re.” “They” and “have” become “they’ve.”

Next, let’s move on to another type of contraction. We’ll combine interrogative adverbs and verbs to create contractions. “What” and the verb “is” combine to create “what’s.” “How” and the verb “is” join to make “how’s.” “Where” and the verb “is” combine to form “where’s.”

Now, let’s take a look at a few negative contractions. You can create a negative contraction by combining a verb with the word “not.”

Let’s try contracting the verb “had” and the word “not.” We’ll omit the vowel “o” in the word “not” and replace it with an apostrophe, which makes it “hadn’t.” The verb “is” and the word “not” come together to create “isn’t.”

“Dew” joins with “not” to become “don’t,” and “did” joins with “not” to become “didn’t.” “Should” combines with “not” and becomes “shouldn’t.” “Would” joins with “not” to become “wouldn’t.” “Can” joins with “not” to become “can’t.”

Before we wrap up, can you guess which two words combine to form the contraction? Send your answer to the email address given in the description box. Visit www.tutoringhour.com if you need practice contracting words, and subscribe to our channel for interesting educational videos. Thanks for watching!

This version removes any informal language and clarifies the content while maintaining the educational focus.

All Video Lessons

Login your account

Please login your account to get started.

Don't have an account?

Register your account

Please sign up your account to get started.

Already have an account?