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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Contractions 'To Be'
When CAN'T you use a contraction of the verb to be? What rules are there?
e.g. He's happy.
But not: Oh look, there he's.
There are more instances where you shouldn't use the shortened form, but what are the rules exactly?
e.g. He's happy.
But not: Oh look, there he's.
There are more instances where you shouldn't use the shortened form, but what are the rules exactly?
Top answer
You can't use the contraction when the be verb is stressed. Normally "is" would be stressed in "Oh look, there he is". " "No, but I know where she is" where "is" appears not to be stressed in the second sentence.
- You can't use the contraction when the be verb is stressed.
- Normally "is" would be stressed in "Oh look, there he is".
- " "No, but I know where she is" where "is" appears not to be stressed in the second sentence.
- Perhaps it is felt that a little stress or emphasis still falls on the last word of the sentence though.
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1 Answers
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You can't use the contraction when the be verb is stressed. Normally "is" would be stressed in "Oh look, there he is".
However, there may be an additional rule saying that you can't use the contraction ever at the end of the sentence, since it is not possible even in "Do you know where he is?" "No, but I know where she is" where "is" appears not to be stressed in the second sentenc
However, there may be an additional rule saying that you can't use the contraction ever at the end of the sentence, since it is not possible even in "Do you know where he is?" "No, but I know where she is" where "is" appears not to be stressed in the second sentenc
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