For the reason that phrase contract means to squeeze collectively, it appears solely logical that a contraction is two phrases made shorter by inserting an apostrophe where letters have been omitted. Some other simplified pronunciations of widespread word groups, which may often equally be described as cases of elision , may additionally be thought of (non-normal) contractions (not enshrined into the written standard language, however frequently expressed in written type anyway), corresponding to wanna for want to, gonna for going to, y’all for you all, ya’ll for ya all in the Southern United States and others frequent kinds in colloquial speech.

Other contractions had been common in writing until the 17th century, the most traditional being de + private and demonstrative pronouns: destas for de estas (of these, fem.), daquel for de aquel (of that, masc.), dél for de él (of him) etc.; and the feminine article before words starting with a-: l’alma for la alma, now el alma (the soul).

Labor contractions are the body’s way of saying, Let’s get ready to have a baby!” When contractions begin, many new mothers leap up and run off to the hospital solely to be advised to return dwelling for the night. …