When is good to use them, and when is bad to use them.

Are you ready!? Because I'm...

I am...

Because I'm... because I'm...

Why is it that the Terminator chose to say,

I'll be back!

Instead of "I will be back"?

Why did Bill Clinton not contract this sentence?

I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

And why did king Joffrey not use the contraction "I'm" and, instead, say,

I am not tired!

So, obviously, it's better to use contractions in everyday speech.

For example, "I'm tired", "I'm eating", "I'll do this."

That sounds normal.

It would sound like a robot to say things like, "I am eating", "I will be back".

Fun fact: The Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, told this story.

Pronouncing the "I'll" was quite difficult for him with his thick Austrian accent.

... for them and listen to it and said, "I'll... I'll..." it... it's just kind of like, uh... and the Terminator doesn't talk like that.

The Terminator would say, "I will be back".

However, the director insisted that he say "I'll be back" and not "I will be back."

Why? Because it sounds more human to say "I'll", the contraction.

But, of course, that's not always true.

Sometimes, it's better not to contract, for example:

Well, let's say someone asks you, "Have you finished work?"

And you reply, "Yes, I've."

This is a very common mistake I see with my students, and remember not to do it.

"Yes, I've"⏤that doesn't sound good.

You must have something after.

"Yes, I finished." Fine.

"Yes, I've." Not fine.

If you don't have that extra information after, don't contract it.

"Yes, I have." That's okay.

And the same is true for other subject-auxiliary or -modal-verb combos.

Don't contract them if there is no extra information afterwards.

Another example: "Would you like to blah, blah, blah?"

Yes, I'd.

Again, we have just the subject, this time, with a modal verb.

You should say, "Yes, I would," not "Yes, I'd."

Why?

Because there's no extra information.

If you contract it, remember to put that extra information.

Yes, I'd love to.

And negatives⏤fine to contract.

In fact, it's better⏤you should contract the negatives pretty much all the time.

For example, "Have you finished work?"

No, I have not.

That sounds a little strong, and, in some cases, maybe aggressive.

No, I haven't.

That looks better, more friendly, more human, not so much robot.

So, with the negatives, just remember to contract it.

Not using a contraction makes the sentence stronger.

It adds emphasis and, again, could sound more aggressive, so be careful.

And this is why King Joffrey said...

I am not tired!

He wanted to sound serious and add emphasis

I do not miss Joffrey.

See? Stronger!

And it also sounds more formal when it's not contracted.

That's why your English teacher will always say,

In formal writing, don't use contractions.

Because it sounds more formal when you don't contract.

Also, some language experts suggest that people don't use contractions when they speak when they want people to believe them.

To sound more convincing.

So, basically, when they're lying.

I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

Oh, he really wanted everyone to believe him.

So, the next time your boyfriend or girlfriend says, "I did not cheat on you."

That means they definitely cheated on you. Sorry.

I'm joking; please ignore that.

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Oh, there's another video right here, but you don't have to watch that.

Just if you want.

Watch it.