1. Understand the Parts:
* Contractions combine two words. For example, "don't" is a contraction of "do not."
* The first word is usually a verb. "Don't" ("do" is the verb).
* The second word is usually a pronoun or a helping verb. "Don't" ("not" is a helping verb).
2. Look for the Context:
* Verb: A contraction that acts as a verb will take an object or be modified by an adverb.
* Example: "They *don't* want to go" (verb)
* Noun: A contraction that acts as a noun will be the subject of the sentence or be part of a prepositional phrase.
* Example: "I'll grab a *sandwich* and *we'll* head out" (both "sandwich" and "we'll" are nouns)
3. Common Contractions and Their Parts:
* I'm = I am (verb "am")
* You're = You are (verb "are")
* He's = He is (verb "is")
* She's = She is (verb "is")
* It's = It is (verb "is")
* We're = We are (verb "are")
* They're = They are (verb "are")
* I've = I have (verb "have")
* You've = You have (verb "have")
* He's = He has (verb "has")
* She's = She has (verb "has")
* It's = It has (verb "has")
* We've = We have (verb "have")
* They've = They have (verb "have")
* I'll = I will (verb "will")
* You'll = You will (verb "will")
* He'll = He will (verb "will")
* She'll = She will (verb "will")
* It'll = It will (verb "will")
* We'll = We will (verb "will")
* They'll = They will (verb "will")
* Can't = Can not (verb "can")
* Shouldn't = Should not (verb "should")
* Wouldn't = Would not (verb "would")
Example Sentences:
* Verb: "They *can't* come to the party."
* Noun: "The *boss's* office is on the fifth floor."
Note: Some contractions like "it's" can be tricky because "it" is also a pronoun. Context will help you determine if it's being used as a verb or a pronoun.