pronoun + be: (present) contraction IPA example sentence I am I'm /ɑɪm/ I'm going to get a cup of coffee. he is he's /hiz/ He's getting a new puppy. she is she's /ʃiz/ Maybe she's just shy. it is it's /ɪts/ Do you think it's too small? you are you're /jɔr/ You're not going to believe what I just heard! we are we're /wir/ We're planning a birthday party for Elise. they are they're /ðɛr/ They're moving on Tuesday. pronoun + have (present) I have I've /ɑɪv/ I've got time to help this afternoon. he has he's /hiz/ He's got a new girlfriend! she has she's /ʃiz/ I doubt that she's thought about it. it has it's /ɪts/ It's happened before. you have you've /juv/ Tell Mary that you've asked about it. we have we've /wiv/ We've never been to Alaska. they have they've /ðeɪv/ They've started a new softball team. pronoun + have: (past) pronoun + would I hadI would I'd /ɑɪd/ I'd been wondering where it went.I don't think I'd do it that way. he hadhe would he'd /hid/ He'd never asked for help.He'd never quit smoking. she hadshe would she'd /ʃid/ She'd done a lot of fundraising.She'd study harder, but she has three kids. it hadit would it'd /ɪt̬əd/ It'd happened before.It'd be easier to start over. you hadyou would you'd /jud/ I thought you'd taken a cooking class.You'd have done the same thing. we hadwe would we'd /wid/ We'd waited for the rain to stop.We'd like to come. they hadthey would they'd /ðeɪd/ They'd invited everyone in the neighborhood.Do you think they'd let you borrow their car? pronoun + will I will I'll /ɑɪl/ I'll make another pot of coffee. he will he'll /hil/ He'll be taking his driver's test on Wednesday. she will she'll /ʃil/ She'll be seven years old next month. it will it'll /ɪdl/ It'll arrive on Thursday. you will you'll /jul/ You'll need a faster computer to edit images. we will we'll /wil/ We'll bring some snacks for the trip. they will they'll /θeɪl/ They'll call when they get close. modal + have could have could've /kʊdəv/ Molly could've waited another five minutes. would have would've /wʊdəv/ Josh would've taken the job if it had paid better. should have should've /ʃʊdəv/ I should've started studying sooner!
NOTE: Contractions with is and has and contractions with had and would have identical pronunciation. Contextual and grammatical clues are necessary for correct interpretation.
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