Learning English

Making three words into one

Neil can't find his sandwiches and thinks Rob has stolen them. Rob gets angry because he says he had pizza with Finn for lunch. And then Neil's wife sends a text message to say his sandwiches are still at home in the fridge!

In spoken English, people often make two words into one. We call these contractions. For example, could have becomes could've. And sometimes they even make three words into one. In this session, we'll learn how to recognise and say these double contractions.

You're going to hear that conversation between Neil, Rob and Finn now. It's got examples of double contractions in these sentences. Before you listen, read the sentences from the clip. What words do you think go in the blank spaces?

1. Rob: It ______ been me because I've just eaten some pizza with Finn and I'm full.

2. Rob: That's why ______ got these crumbs everywhere.

3. Neil: ... so it ______ been Rob after all.

4. Neil: So it ______ Rob who stole my lunch then.

5. Finn:No, it ______ been Rob because he just had a delicious pizza.

While you listen, choose the words the speakers say. Listen very carefully!

Listen to the audio and complete the activity

To do

Listen to the recording. Try to complete the sentences with the words as they sound to you.

Form

We make double contractions in the same way we make normal, single contractions: with an apostrophe to show where the missing letters were:

Single contraction: Might not - mightn't
Double contraction: Might not have - mightn't've

Note

Remember that these are spoken forms and we don't usually write them in formal English. But it's useful to know the contracted forms because it can help you to hear and pronounce the word the way people actually say them.

Next

Now it's time for you to practise saying these double contractions!