Here's a breakdown:
* Combining words: Contractions always involve merging two or more words together.
* Removing letters: Some letters are omitted from the original words.
* Apostrophe: The missing letters are replaced with an apostrophe (') to indicate the omitted letters.
Example:
* "I am" becomes "I'm"
* "am" is combined with "I"
* The "a" is removed
* An apostrophe replaces the "a"
Here are some key features of contractions:
* They are a shortened version of the original words.
* They are used primarily in informal writing and speech.
* They can sometimes be confusing, especially if the contraction is not commonly used.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or have any other questions!