Can a word be contracted twice (e.g. “I'ven't”)?





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I've seen a contraction of two words. I can't see why it wouldn't be possible to contract twice. Is it possible and how should it be punctuated?



Update: Ok, to sum up the answers so far




  • This appears in spoken British and American English

  • It is from one of the lower registers of English

  • Even if spoken this way sometimes, it isn't really written as a double contraction, except as written speech in fiction.

  • And from my own googling in Wiktionary, it appears most written forms are old British words, often nautical like fo'c'sle.










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  • 5





    Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

    – Jared Updike
    Aug 6 '10 at 4:58






  • 2





    It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

    – TRiG
    Oct 30 '10 at 4:13






  • 2





    @Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

    – Piskvor
    Oct 30 '10 at 11:45






  • 4





    @Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

    – Jared Updike
    Oct 30 '10 at 19:38











  • The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

    – Joe Coder
    Aug 7 '16 at 6:23


















39















I've seen a contraction of two words. I can't see why it wouldn't be possible to contract twice. Is it possible and how should it be punctuated?



Update: Ok, to sum up the answers so far




  • This appears in spoken British and American English

  • It is from one of the lower registers of English

  • Even if spoken this way sometimes, it isn't really written as a double contraction, except as written speech in fiction.

  • And from my own googling in Wiktionary, it appears most written forms are old British words, often nautical like fo'c'sle.










share|improve this question




















  • 5





    Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

    – Jared Updike
    Aug 6 '10 at 4:58






  • 2





    It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

    – TRiG
    Oct 30 '10 at 4:13






  • 2





    @Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

    – Piskvor
    Oct 30 '10 at 11:45






  • 4





    @Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

    – Jared Updike
    Oct 30 '10 at 19:38











  • The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

    – Joe Coder
    Aug 7 '16 at 6:23














39












39








39


9






I've seen a contraction of two words. I can't see why it wouldn't be possible to contract twice. Is it possible and how should it be punctuated?



Update: Ok, to sum up the answers so far




  • This appears in spoken British and American English

  • It is from one of the lower registers of English

  • Even if spoken this way sometimes, it isn't really written as a double contraction, except as written speech in fiction.

  • And from my own googling in Wiktionary, it appears most written forms are old British words, often nautical like fo'c'sle.










share|improve this question
















I've seen a contraction of two words. I can't see why it wouldn't be possible to contract twice. Is it possible and how should it be punctuated?



Update: Ok, to sum up the answers so far




  • This appears in spoken British and American English

  • It is from one of the lower registers of English

  • Even if spoken this way sometimes, it isn't really written as a double contraction, except as written speech in fiction.

  • And from my own googling in Wiktionary, it appears most written forms are old British words, often nautical like fo'c'sle.







punctuation apostrophe pronunciation-vs-spelling contractions






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edited Nov 8 '17 at 6:03









sumelic

50.7k8121228




50.7k8121228










asked Aug 5 '10 at 20:51









MatthewMartinMatthewMartin

1,67421526




1,67421526








  • 5





    Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

    – Jared Updike
    Aug 6 '10 at 4:58






  • 2





    It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

    – TRiG
    Oct 30 '10 at 4:13






  • 2





    @Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

    – Piskvor
    Oct 30 '10 at 11:45






  • 4





    @Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

    – Jared Updike
    Oct 30 '10 at 19:38











  • The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

    – Joe Coder
    Aug 7 '16 at 6:23














  • 5





    Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

    – Jared Updike
    Aug 6 '10 at 4:58






  • 2





    It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

    – TRiG
    Oct 30 '10 at 4:13






  • 2





    @Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

    – Piskvor
    Oct 30 '10 at 11:45






  • 4





    @Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

    – Jared Updike
    Oct 30 '10 at 19:38











  • The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

    – Joe Coder
    Aug 7 '16 at 6:23








5




5





Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

– Jared Updike
Aug 6 '10 at 4:58





Are their grammarians in fo'c'sles?

– Jared Updike
Aug 6 '10 at 4:58




2




2





It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

– TRiG
Oct 30 '10 at 4:13





It's fo'c's'le, though the apostrophe after the s is sometimes omitted. Forecastle.

– TRiG
Oct 30 '10 at 4:13




2




2





@Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

– Piskvor
Oct 30 '10 at 11:45





@Jared Updike: Whose grammarians?

– Piskvor
Oct 30 '10 at 11:45




4




4





@Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

– Jared Updike
Oct 30 '10 at 19:38





@Piskvor: ha ha... apparently not me! It was meant to be a pun on 'Are there atheists in foxholes?'

– Jared Updike
Oct 30 '10 at 19:38













The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

– Joe Coder
Aug 7 '16 at 6:23





The answers seem low quality... I'm new here, please tell me: do the answer always defer to my high school English teacher?

– Joe Coder
Aug 7 '16 at 6:23










13 Answers
13






active

oldest

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23














This is not the highest register, but you may hear it in speech. Native speakers tend to slur words together and leave out sounds even if they wouldn't write that way.



Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.






share|improve this answer





















  • 14





    Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

    – David Foster
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:24






  • 4





    @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

    – Arlen Beiler
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:32








  • 3





    My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

    – mouche
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






  • 4





    It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

    – kitukwfyer
    Aug 6 '10 at 0:57






  • 15





    Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

    – David Foster
    Aug 6 '10 at 8:01



















27














Two of my favorite double contractions are "couldn't've" and "shouldn't've", both of which are flagged by my spell checker, but seem completely correct to me.






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  • 9





    What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

    – Ullallulloo
    Oct 21 '10 at 22:37








  • 16





    Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

    – mskfisher
    Oct 21 '10 at 23:41






  • 1





    I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

    – Orbling
    Dec 15 '10 at 17:29






  • 1





    What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

    – Nobody
    Feb 3 '11 at 16:23






  • 1





    Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Dec 19 '15 at 16:29



















10














"Fish 'n' chips" and similar phrases with "'n'" technically have a double-contracted "and."






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  • 1





    "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

    – kiamlaluno
    Aug 13 '10 at 19:09






  • 3





    Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

    – DisgruntledGoat
    Sep 7 '10 at 10:44











  • I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

    – Mark Hurd
    Feb 17 '11 at 9:55



















9














The example you give is not done in American English. You can't contract non-auxiliary "have". "I've not a clue if this is possible" is also not grammatical in American English. It may be in British English, though.



I copied this from a comment I left below, because I think it clarifies what I'm trying to say:




I've" is a fine contraction, just in American English you can only use it to replace "I have" when "have" is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g. in conjunction with a past participle). "I've been there" is OK. "I've a dog" is not. In the example "I'ven't a clue"—"I haven't a clue", the verb "have" is not auxiliary, so it can't be contracted with the pronoun "I".







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  • No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

    – kitukwfyer
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:08






  • 2





    @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

    – nohat
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:12






  • 1





    I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

    – kitukwfyer
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:14











  • @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

    – Arlen Beiler
    Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






  • 3





    "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

    – Steve Melnikoff
    Aug 26 '10 at 12:17



















7














I don't think you can get away with "I'ven't" in writing either. However, I think I've read "'tweren't," "'twouldn't," and "'twasn't" before. I'm guessing, though, that double contractions like that are never technically correct. Colloquially speaking, if you're understandable, anything goes.






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  • 2





    Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

    – Orbling
    Dec 15 '10 at 17:14








  • 1





    "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

    – tchrist
    Feb 5 '12 at 1:39











  • What is 'tweren't short for?

    – Pacerier
    Nov 5 '15 at 13:46











  • T'aint funny, McGee!

    – Hot Licks
    Dec 26 '15 at 15:23



















7














I guess this isn't entirely formal standard English, but I'm pretty sure "y'all're," "y'all've," and "y'all'll" are accepted in areas that use "y'all" as the second person plural.






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  • 6





    "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

    – Dennis Williamson
    Aug 12 '10 at 21:19



















5














I wouldn't use I'ven't in speech or writing. I've not perhaps, I haven't more likely. I do use, in both speech and writing, I'd've. I'd've thought this would be more common.






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    4














    I would avoid doing that in any serious writing, but if you are looking for ways to do this creatively to affect a regional dialect, etc. I would suspect any text by Mark Twain would be a good source to find examples of this.






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    • So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

      – OneProton
      Aug 4 '17 at 19:13



















    3














    See: 19th-century English: wo'n't and ca'n't






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      2














      When you say "I've done it" it's pronounced something like [aiv donit] (with the stress on [ai]), but when you say "I haven't done it" it's pronounced something like [ai (h)avent donit] (with or without an h sound, with the stress on [av]). Since the initial "h" is very weak in English anyway it's superfluous to omit it with an apostrophe unless you're making a point about exactly how someone pronounced it.



      If you're saying [ai hav donit] (with stress on [hav]), you should write it "I have done it", with or without the italics depending on how important the emphasis is.



      (By the way, I'm not a native speaker, this is how I see it with my foreign eyes. I'm sure the phonetic spelling is all messed up, but I hope you understand it anyway...)






      share|improve this answer































        2














        Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but what you'd be more likely to hear in British English is "I 'aven't".



        As Steve Melnikoff commented, "I've not" is sometimes used in the UK, though his example reads strangely to me; I'd have suggested something like "I've not seen him before".






        share|improve this answer


























        • +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

          – Orbling
          Dec 15 '10 at 17:18



















        1














        See also Apostrophes in contractions: shan't, sha'n't or sha'nt?.



        I was looking into the example of sha'n't because I just ran across that spelling in Henry James's short story, "The Great Condition" (1900), where characters named Bertram Braddle and Henry Chilver converse as follows:




        "A-ah!" Chilver murmered, as if only only now with a full view. "She means she'll speak when you are married."



        "When we are. And then only on one great condition."



        "How great?"



        "Well, that if after six months I still want it very much. She argues, you know, that I sha'n't want it."



        "You won't then—you won't!"cried Chilver with a laugh at the odd word and passing his arm into his friend's to make him walk again.




        There are several striking things about this occurrence of sha'n't. First, in the many stories that James wrote between 1892 and 1900, the spelling with two apostrophes occurs only this once (I believe). Notably, James doesn't spell won't with two apostrophes one line later—and more to the point, he spelled shan't with one apostrophe earlier in the same story:




        "Shan't I go with you to the station?" his companion [Chilver] asked.




        And finally, Chilver is particularly struck by "the odd word," though he himself used shan't earlier. This suggests that James is using the double punctuation to indicate an unusual pronunciation of the word sha'n't (perhaps as two syllables: sha-ent?), much as he uses a hyphen to indicate an unusual pronunciation or drawing out of "A-ah!" at the beginning of the quoted dialogue.



        In any event, it's clear that writers can and do sometimes use two apostrophes in a single contraction, just as they can and sometimes do compress multiple words into one (as in the case of whadya for "what do you") without using any punctuation to clarify what's going on.






        share|improve this answer

































          0














          Not sure if it counts, but o'clock is a contraction of "of the clock".






          share|improve this answer






















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            13 Answers
            13






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            13 Answers
            13






            active

            oldest

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            active

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            active

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            23














            This is not the highest register, but you may hear it in speech. Native speakers tend to slur words together and leave out sounds even if they wouldn't write that way.



            Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 14





              Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

              – David Foster
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:24






            • 4





              @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:32








            • 3





              My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

              – mouche
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 4





              It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 6 '10 at 0:57






            • 15





              Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

              – David Foster
              Aug 6 '10 at 8:01
















            23














            This is not the highest register, but you may hear it in speech. Native speakers tend to slur words together and leave out sounds even if they wouldn't write that way.



            Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 14





              Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

              – David Foster
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:24






            • 4





              @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:32








            • 3





              My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

              – mouche
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 4





              It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 6 '10 at 0:57






            • 15





              Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

              – David Foster
              Aug 6 '10 at 8:01














            23












            23








            23







            This is not the highest register, but you may hear it in speech. Native speakers tend to slur words together and leave out sounds even if they wouldn't write that way.



            Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.






            share|improve this answer















            This is not the highest register, but you may hear it in speech. Native speakers tend to slur words together and leave out sounds even if they wouldn't write that way.



            Double contractions are not used in writing. They may be grammatically correct, but a professor would not allow you to use them in an essay. Typically, even single contractions are avoided in formal writing.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Apr 25 '14 at 19:48









            RegDwigнt

            83.6k31282382




            83.6k31282382










            answered Aug 5 '10 at 21:03









            mouchemouche

            1,16221111




            1,16221111








            • 14





              Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

              – David Foster
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:24






            • 4





              @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:32








            • 3





              My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

              – mouche
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 4





              It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 6 '10 at 0:57






            • 15





              Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

              – David Foster
              Aug 6 '10 at 8:01














            • 14





              Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

              – David Foster
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:24






            • 4





              @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:32








            • 3





              My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

              – mouche
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 4





              It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 6 '10 at 0:57






            • 15





              Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

              – David Foster
              Aug 6 '10 at 8:01








            14




            14





            Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

            – David Foster
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:24





            Why is this grammatically incorrect? I + have = I've, and have + not = haven't, so why is I'ven't strictly incorrect? Who wrote we can't doubly contract? Is it principally "I'ven't" doesn't feel right to you? If so, then it's not incorrect. This flexibility is what makes the English language so powerful.

            – David Foster
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:24




            4




            4





            @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

            – Arlen Beiler
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:32







            @David, that is also what makes it one of the hardest languages to learn. At least it isn't tonal!

            – Arlen Beiler
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:32






            3




            3





            My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

            – mouche
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:35





            My two sources of what is "right" in English are dictionaries and professors/teachers. You won't find "I'ven't" in the Oxford dictionary, and it's very unlikely that a professor would let that slide in an essay.

            – mouche
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:35




            4




            4





            It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 6 '10 at 0:57





            It might be impossible to find such a piece, but that doesn't change the fact that every English teacher I've ever had told everyone that using contractions in formal writing was Very Very Bad. The words were also underlined.

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 6 '10 at 0:57




            15




            15





            Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

            – David Foster
            Aug 6 '10 at 8:01





            Perhaps I shouldn't've said anything.

            – David Foster
            Aug 6 '10 at 8:01













            27














            Two of my favorite double contractions are "couldn't've" and "shouldn't've", both of which are flagged by my spell checker, but seem completely correct to me.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 9





              What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

              – Ullallulloo
              Oct 21 '10 at 22:37








            • 16





              Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

              – mskfisher
              Oct 21 '10 at 23:41






            • 1





              I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:29






            • 1





              What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

              – Nobody
              Feb 3 '11 at 16:23






            • 1





              Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

              – Edwin Ashworth
              Dec 19 '15 at 16:29
















            27














            Two of my favorite double contractions are "couldn't've" and "shouldn't've", both of which are flagged by my spell checker, but seem completely correct to me.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 9





              What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

              – Ullallulloo
              Oct 21 '10 at 22:37








            • 16





              Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

              – mskfisher
              Oct 21 '10 at 23:41






            • 1





              I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:29






            • 1





              What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

              – Nobody
              Feb 3 '11 at 16:23






            • 1





              Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

              – Edwin Ashworth
              Dec 19 '15 at 16:29














            27












            27








            27







            Two of my favorite double contractions are "couldn't've" and "shouldn't've", both of which are flagged by my spell checker, but seem completely correct to me.






            share|improve this answer













            Two of my favorite double contractions are "couldn't've" and "shouldn't've", both of which are flagged by my spell checker, but seem completely correct to me.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Sep 20 '10 at 15:32









            mskfishermskfisher

            1,65131821




            1,65131821








            • 9





              What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

              – Ullallulloo
              Oct 21 '10 at 22:37








            • 16





              Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

              – mskfisher
              Oct 21 '10 at 23:41






            • 1





              I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:29






            • 1





              What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

              – Nobody
              Feb 3 '11 at 16:23






            • 1





              Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

              – Edwin Ashworth
              Dec 19 '15 at 16:29














            • 9





              What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

              – Ullallulloo
              Oct 21 '10 at 22:37








            • 16





              Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

              – mskfisher
              Oct 21 '10 at 23:41






            • 1





              I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:29






            • 1





              What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

              – Nobody
              Feb 3 '11 at 16:23






            • 1





              Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

              – Edwin Ashworth
              Dec 19 '15 at 16:29








            9




            9





            What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

            – Ullallulloo
            Oct 21 '10 at 22:37







            What about when you get something like "y'all'dn't've" O_o (You all would not have)

            – Ullallulloo
            Oct 21 '10 at 22:37






            16




            16





            Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

            – mskfisher
            Oct 21 '10 at 23:41





            Then you have achieved an admirable level of efficiency. ;)

            – mskfisher
            Oct 21 '10 at 23:41




            1




            1





            I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

            – Orbling
            Dec 15 '10 at 17:29





            I use shouldn't've a lot, I have to say - in informal typed conversation. That is how we say it colloquially in London, as in "Ya shouldn't've done that mate."

            – Orbling
            Dec 15 '10 at 17:29




            1




            1





            What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

            – Nobody
            Feb 3 '11 at 16:23





            What about I'm'nt (I'm not) same idea, but it sounds completely wrong to me.

            – Nobody
            Feb 3 '11 at 16:23




            1




            1





            Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

            – Edwin Ashworth
            Dec 19 '15 at 16:29





            Wiktionary lists couldn’t’ve, but flags it as nonstandard.

            – Edwin Ashworth
            Dec 19 '15 at 16:29











            10














            "Fish 'n' chips" and similar phrases with "'n'" technically have a double-contracted "and."






            share|improve this answer



















            • 1





              "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

              – kiamlaluno
              Aug 13 '10 at 19:09






            • 3





              Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

              – DisgruntledGoat
              Sep 7 '10 at 10:44











            • I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

              – Mark Hurd
              Feb 17 '11 at 9:55
















            10














            "Fish 'n' chips" and similar phrases with "'n'" technically have a double-contracted "and."






            share|improve this answer



















            • 1





              "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

              – kiamlaluno
              Aug 13 '10 at 19:09






            • 3





              Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

              – DisgruntledGoat
              Sep 7 '10 at 10:44











            • I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

              – Mark Hurd
              Feb 17 '11 at 9:55














            10












            10








            10







            "Fish 'n' chips" and similar phrases with "'n'" technically have a double-contracted "and."






            share|improve this answer













            "Fish 'n' chips" and similar phrases with "'n'" technically have a double-contracted "and."







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 5 '10 at 22:10









            moiocimoioci

            4,31411414




            4,31411414








            • 1





              "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

              – kiamlaluno
              Aug 13 '10 at 19:09






            • 3





              Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

              – DisgruntledGoat
              Sep 7 '10 at 10:44











            • I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

              – Mark Hurd
              Feb 17 '11 at 9:55














            • 1





              "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

              – kiamlaluno
              Aug 13 '10 at 19:09






            • 3





              Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

              – DisgruntledGoat
              Sep 7 '10 at 10:44











            • I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

              – Mark Hurd
              Feb 17 '11 at 9:55








            1




            1





            "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

            – kiamlaluno
            Aug 13 '10 at 19:09





            "rock'n'roll" has a double contraction too. The difference with what asked from the OP is that the double contraction is not done on a verb.

            – kiamlaluno
            Aug 13 '10 at 19:09




            3




            3





            Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

            – DisgruntledGoat
            Sep 7 '10 at 10:44





            Personally I wouldn't call that a double contraction, because you rarely, if ever, have the single contraction form (i.e. 'nd or an').

            – DisgruntledGoat
            Sep 7 '10 at 10:44













            I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

            – Mark Hurd
            Feb 17 '11 at 9:55





            I'd say that in Australian English (at least my Adelaide version) we sometimes say Fish 'nd Chips and Rock 'nd Roll, but I doubt any one would normally type the d.

            – Mark Hurd
            Feb 17 '11 at 9:55











            9














            The example you give is not done in American English. You can't contract non-auxiliary "have". "I've not a clue if this is possible" is also not grammatical in American English. It may be in British English, though.



            I copied this from a comment I left below, because I think it clarifies what I'm trying to say:




            I've" is a fine contraction, just in American English you can only use it to replace "I have" when "have" is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g. in conjunction with a past participle). "I've been there" is OK. "I've a dog" is not. In the example "I'ven't a clue"—"I haven't a clue", the verb "have" is not auxiliary, so it can't be contracted with the pronoun "I".







            share|improve this answer


























            • No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:08






            • 2





              @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

              – nohat
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:12






            • 1





              I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:14











            • @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 3





              "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

              – Steve Melnikoff
              Aug 26 '10 at 12:17
















            9














            The example you give is not done in American English. You can't contract non-auxiliary "have". "I've not a clue if this is possible" is also not grammatical in American English. It may be in British English, though.



            I copied this from a comment I left below, because I think it clarifies what I'm trying to say:




            I've" is a fine contraction, just in American English you can only use it to replace "I have" when "have" is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g. in conjunction with a past participle). "I've been there" is OK. "I've a dog" is not. In the example "I'ven't a clue"—"I haven't a clue", the verb "have" is not auxiliary, so it can't be contracted with the pronoun "I".







            share|improve this answer


























            • No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:08






            • 2





              @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

              – nohat
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:12






            • 1





              I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:14











            • @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 3





              "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

              – Steve Melnikoff
              Aug 26 '10 at 12:17














            9












            9








            9







            The example you give is not done in American English. You can't contract non-auxiliary "have". "I've not a clue if this is possible" is also not grammatical in American English. It may be in British English, though.



            I copied this from a comment I left below, because I think it clarifies what I'm trying to say:




            I've" is a fine contraction, just in American English you can only use it to replace "I have" when "have" is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g. in conjunction with a past participle). "I've been there" is OK. "I've a dog" is not. In the example "I'ven't a clue"—"I haven't a clue", the verb "have" is not auxiliary, so it can't be contracted with the pronoun "I".







            share|improve this answer















            The example you give is not done in American English. You can't contract non-auxiliary "have". "I've not a clue if this is possible" is also not grammatical in American English. It may be in British English, though.



            I copied this from a comment I left below, because I think it clarifies what I'm trying to say:




            I've" is a fine contraction, just in American English you can only use it to replace "I have" when "have" is used as an auxiliary verb (e.g. in conjunction with a past participle). "I've been there" is OK. "I've a dog" is not. In the example "I'ven't a clue"—"I haven't a clue", the verb "have" is not auxiliary, so it can't be contracted with the pronoun "I".








            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Aug 5 '10 at 23:17

























            answered Aug 5 '10 at 20:53









            nohatnohat

            61k12171239




            61k12171239













            • No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:08






            • 2





              @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

              – nohat
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:12






            • 1





              I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:14











            • @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 3





              "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

              – Steve Melnikoff
              Aug 26 '10 at 12:17



















            • No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:08






            • 2





              @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

              – nohat
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:12






            • 1





              I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

              – kitukwfyer
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:14











            • @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

              – Arlen Beiler
              Aug 5 '10 at 21:35






            • 3





              "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

              – Steve Melnikoff
              Aug 26 '10 at 12:17

















            No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:08





            No one's called me on saying "I've not" or "I'ven't" yet...

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:08




            2




            2





            @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

            – nohat
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:12





            @kitukwfyer if you do that, you should know that you risk it coming off at best as a pseudo-British affectation and at worst as simple misuse.

            – nohat
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:12




            1




            1





            I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:14





            I think it's generally because I talk too quickly and mumble a lot. :)

            – kitukwfyer
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:14













            @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

            – Arlen Beiler
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:35





            @nohat, I've never heard that before! I've is a common contraction (more often a common "leave out". "I got to go" instead of "I've got to go")

            – Arlen Beiler
            Aug 5 '10 at 21:35




            3




            3





            "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

            – Steve Melnikoff
            Aug 26 '10 at 12:17





            "I've not a clue" is OK in British English, but tends to be limited to (a) certain regions, or (b) the past. To me as a Londoner, it sounds very old-fashioned, but it may be appropriate to use if you're from elsewhere in the UK.

            – Steve Melnikoff
            Aug 26 '10 at 12:17











            7














            I don't think you can get away with "I'ven't" in writing either. However, I think I've read "'tweren't," "'twouldn't," and "'twasn't" before. I'm guessing, though, that double contractions like that are never technically correct. Colloquially speaking, if you're understandable, anything goes.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 2





              Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:14








            • 1





              "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

              – tchrist
              Feb 5 '12 at 1:39











            • What is 'tweren't short for?

              – Pacerier
              Nov 5 '15 at 13:46











            • T'aint funny, McGee!

              – Hot Licks
              Dec 26 '15 at 15:23
















            7














            I don't think you can get away with "I'ven't" in writing either. However, I think I've read "'tweren't," "'twouldn't," and "'twasn't" before. I'm guessing, though, that double contractions like that are never technically correct. Colloquially speaking, if you're understandable, anything goes.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 2





              Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:14








            • 1





              "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

              – tchrist
              Feb 5 '12 at 1:39











            • What is 'tweren't short for?

              – Pacerier
              Nov 5 '15 at 13:46











            • T'aint funny, McGee!

              – Hot Licks
              Dec 26 '15 at 15:23














            7












            7








            7







            I don't think you can get away with "I'ven't" in writing either. However, I think I've read "'tweren't," "'twouldn't," and "'twasn't" before. I'm guessing, though, that double contractions like that are never technically correct. Colloquially speaking, if you're understandable, anything goes.






            share|improve this answer













            I don't think you can get away with "I'ven't" in writing either. However, I think I've read "'tweren't," "'twouldn't," and "'twasn't" before. I'm guessing, though, that double contractions like that are never technically correct. Colloquially speaking, if you're understandable, anything goes.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 5 '10 at 21:13









            kitukwfyerkitukwfyer

            3,6401921




            3,6401921








            • 2





              Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:14








            • 1





              "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

              – tchrist
              Feb 5 '12 at 1:39











            • What is 'tweren't short for?

              – Pacerier
              Nov 5 '15 at 13:46











            • T'aint funny, McGee!

              – Hot Licks
              Dec 26 '15 at 15:23














            • 2





              Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

              – Orbling
              Dec 15 '10 at 17:14








            • 1





              "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

              – tchrist
              Feb 5 '12 at 1:39











            • What is 'tweren't short for?

              – Pacerier
              Nov 5 '15 at 13:46











            • T'aint funny, McGee!

              – Hot Licks
              Dec 26 '15 at 15:23








            2




            2





            Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

            – Orbling
            Dec 15 '10 at 17:14







            Those sort of contractions starting with T (either by front contraction of it or rear contraction of the) are very common in Northern England, particularly the Yorkshire area. You can get quite pantomine with: "'twas", "'twasn't".

            – Orbling
            Dec 15 '10 at 17:14






            1




            1





            "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

            – tchrist
            Feb 5 '12 at 1:39





            "Not technically correct"? Nonsense!

            – tchrist
            Feb 5 '12 at 1:39













            What is 'tweren't short for?

            – Pacerier
            Nov 5 '15 at 13:46





            What is 'tweren't short for?

            – Pacerier
            Nov 5 '15 at 13:46













            T'aint funny, McGee!

            – Hot Licks
            Dec 26 '15 at 15:23





            T'aint funny, McGee!

            – Hot Licks
            Dec 26 '15 at 15:23











            7














            I guess this isn't entirely formal standard English, but I'm pretty sure "y'all're," "y'all've," and "y'all'll" are accepted in areas that use "y'all" as the second person plural.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 6





              "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

              – Dennis Williamson
              Aug 12 '10 at 21:19
















            7














            I guess this isn't entirely formal standard English, but I'm pretty sure "y'all're," "y'all've," and "y'all'll" are accepted in areas that use "y'all" as the second person plural.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 6





              "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

              – Dennis Williamson
              Aug 12 '10 at 21:19














            7












            7








            7







            I guess this isn't entirely formal standard English, but I'm pretty sure "y'all're," "y'all've," and "y'all'll" are accepted in areas that use "y'all" as the second person plural.






            share|improve this answer













            I guess this isn't entirely formal standard English, but I'm pretty sure "y'all're," "y'all've," and "y'all'll" are accepted in areas that use "y'all" as the second person plural.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 5 '10 at 21:24









            OphiuroidOphiuroid

            979711




            979711








            • 6





              "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

              – Dennis Williamson
              Aug 12 '10 at 21:19














            • 6





              "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

              – Dennis Williamson
              Aug 12 '10 at 21:19








            6




            6





            "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

            – Dennis Williamson
            Aug 12 '10 at 21:19





            "If y'all'd started when I told you to, y'all'ld've already been done by now!" - No, I'm not making that up. I've never seen it written before, but I've heard (and said) things like it my whole life.

            – Dennis Williamson
            Aug 12 '10 at 21:19











            5














            I wouldn't use I'ven't in speech or writing. I've not perhaps, I haven't more likely. I do use, in both speech and writing, I'd've. I'd've thought this would be more common.






            share|improve this answer




























              5














              I wouldn't use I'ven't in speech or writing. I've not perhaps, I haven't more likely. I do use, in both speech and writing, I'd've. I'd've thought this would be more common.






              share|improve this answer


























                5












                5








                5







                I wouldn't use I'ven't in speech or writing. I've not perhaps, I haven't more likely. I do use, in both speech and writing, I'd've. I'd've thought this would be more common.






                share|improve this answer













                I wouldn't use I'ven't in speech or writing. I've not perhaps, I haven't more likely. I do use, in both speech and writing, I'd've. I'd've thought this would be more common.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Oct 30 '10 at 4:17









                TRiGTRiG

                4,95733757




                4,95733757























                    4














                    I would avoid doing that in any serious writing, but if you are looking for ways to do this creatively to affect a regional dialect, etc. I would suspect any text by Mark Twain would be a good source to find examples of this.






                    share|improve this answer
























                    • So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                      – OneProton
                      Aug 4 '17 at 19:13
















                    4














                    I would avoid doing that in any serious writing, but if you are looking for ways to do this creatively to affect a regional dialect, etc. I would suspect any text by Mark Twain would be a good source to find examples of this.






                    share|improve this answer
























                    • So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                      – OneProton
                      Aug 4 '17 at 19:13














                    4












                    4








                    4







                    I would avoid doing that in any serious writing, but if you are looking for ways to do this creatively to affect a regional dialect, etc. I would suspect any text by Mark Twain would be a good source to find examples of this.






                    share|improve this answer













                    I would avoid doing that in any serious writing, but if you are looking for ways to do this creatively to affect a regional dialect, etc. I would suspect any text by Mark Twain would be a good source to find examples of this.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Aug 5 '10 at 21:32









                    Edward TanguayEdward Tanguay

                    10.9k165364




                    10.9k165364













                    • So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                      – OneProton
                      Aug 4 '17 at 19:13



















                    • So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                      – OneProton
                      Aug 4 '17 at 19:13

















                    So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                    – OneProton
                    Aug 4 '17 at 19:13





                    So... any writing that has quotation marks is fair game. ^_^

                    – OneProton
                    Aug 4 '17 at 19:13











                    3














                    See: 19th-century English: wo'n't and ca'n't






                    share|improve this answer




























                      3














                      See: 19th-century English: wo'n't and ca'n't






                      share|improve this answer


























                        3












                        3








                        3







                        See: 19th-century English: wo'n't and ca'n't






                        share|improve this answer













                        See: 19th-century English: wo'n't and ca'n't







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Aug 3 '11 at 21:26









                        GEdgarGEdgar

                        13.9k22045




                        13.9k22045























                            2














                            When you say "I've done it" it's pronounced something like [aiv donit] (with the stress on [ai]), but when you say "I haven't done it" it's pronounced something like [ai (h)avent donit] (with or without an h sound, with the stress on [av]). Since the initial "h" is very weak in English anyway it's superfluous to omit it with an apostrophe unless you're making a point about exactly how someone pronounced it.



                            If you're saying [ai hav donit] (with stress on [hav]), you should write it "I have done it", with or without the italics depending on how important the emphasis is.



                            (By the way, I'm not a native speaker, this is how I see it with my foreign eyes. I'm sure the phonetic spelling is all messed up, but I hope you understand it anyway...)






                            share|improve this answer




























                              2














                              When you say "I've done it" it's pronounced something like [aiv donit] (with the stress on [ai]), but when you say "I haven't done it" it's pronounced something like [ai (h)avent donit] (with or without an h sound, with the stress on [av]). Since the initial "h" is very weak in English anyway it's superfluous to omit it with an apostrophe unless you're making a point about exactly how someone pronounced it.



                              If you're saying [ai hav donit] (with stress on [hav]), you should write it "I have done it", with or without the italics depending on how important the emphasis is.



                              (By the way, I'm not a native speaker, this is how I see it with my foreign eyes. I'm sure the phonetic spelling is all messed up, but I hope you understand it anyway...)






                              share|improve this answer


























                                2












                                2








                                2







                                When you say "I've done it" it's pronounced something like [aiv donit] (with the stress on [ai]), but when you say "I haven't done it" it's pronounced something like [ai (h)avent donit] (with or without an h sound, with the stress on [av]). Since the initial "h" is very weak in English anyway it's superfluous to omit it with an apostrophe unless you're making a point about exactly how someone pronounced it.



                                If you're saying [ai hav donit] (with stress on [hav]), you should write it "I have done it", with or without the italics depending on how important the emphasis is.



                                (By the way, I'm not a native speaker, this is how I see it with my foreign eyes. I'm sure the phonetic spelling is all messed up, but I hope you understand it anyway...)






                                share|improve this answer













                                When you say "I've done it" it's pronounced something like [aiv donit] (with the stress on [ai]), but when you say "I haven't done it" it's pronounced something like [ai (h)avent donit] (with or without an h sound, with the stress on [av]). Since the initial "h" is very weak in English anyway it's superfluous to omit it with an apostrophe unless you're making a point about exactly how someone pronounced it.



                                If you're saying [ai hav donit] (with stress on [hav]), you should write it "I have done it", with or without the italics depending on how important the emphasis is.



                                (By the way, I'm not a native speaker, this is how I see it with my foreign eyes. I'm sure the phonetic spelling is all messed up, but I hope you understand it anyway...)







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Dec 15 '10 at 10:14









                                Stein G. StrindhaugStein G. Strindhaug

                                72157




                                72157























                                    2














                                    Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but what you'd be more likely to hear in British English is "I 'aven't".



                                    As Steve Melnikoff commented, "I've not" is sometimes used in the UK, though his example reads strangely to me; I'd have suggested something like "I've not seen him before".






                                    share|improve this answer


























                                    • +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                      – Orbling
                                      Dec 15 '10 at 17:18
















                                    2














                                    Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but what you'd be more likely to hear in British English is "I 'aven't".



                                    As Steve Melnikoff commented, "I've not" is sometimes used in the UK, though his example reads strangely to me; I'd have suggested something like "I've not seen him before".






                                    share|improve this answer


























                                    • +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                      – Orbling
                                      Dec 15 '10 at 17:18














                                    2












                                    2








                                    2







                                    Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but what you'd be more likely to hear in British English is "I 'aven't".



                                    As Steve Melnikoff commented, "I've not" is sometimes used in the UK, though his example reads strangely to me; I'd have suggested something like "I've not seen him before".






                                    share|improve this answer















                                    Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but what you'd be more likely to hear in British English is "I 'aven't".



                                    As Steve Melnikoff commented, "I've not" is sometimes used in the UK, though his example reads strangely to me; I'd have suggested something like "I've not seen him before".







                                    share|improve this answer














                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer








                                    edited Apr 5 at 18:03









                                    Stormblessed

                                    1054




                                    1054










                                    answered Sep 21 '10 at 13:32









                                    BenjolBenjol

                                    3,77022432




                                    3,77022432













                                    • +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                      – Orbling
                                      Dec 15 '10 at 17:18



















                                    • +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                      – Orbling
                                      Dec 15 '10 at 17:18

















                                    +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                    – Orbling
                                    Dec 15 '10 at 17:18





                                    +1 'aven't is common, though ain't is used more.

                                    – Orbling
                                    Dec 15 '10 at 17:18











                                    1














                                    See also Apostrophes in contractions: shan't, sha'n't or sha'nt?.



                                    I was looking into the example of sha'n't because I just ran across that spelling in Henry James's short story, "The Great Condition" (1900), where characters named Bertram Braddle and Henry Chilver converse as follows:




                                    "A-ah!" Chilver murmered, as if only only now with a full view. "She means she'll speak when you are married."



                                    "When we are. And then only on one great condition."



                                    "How great?"



                                    "Well, that if after six months I still want it very much. She argues, you know, that I sha'n't want it."



                                    "You won't then—you won't!"cried Chilver with a laugh at the odd word and passing his arm into his friend's to make him walk again.




                                    There are several striking things about this occurrence of sha'n't. First, in the many stories that James wrote between 1892 and 1900, the spelling with two apostrophes occurs only this once (I believe). Notably, James doesn't spell won't with two apostrophes one line later—and more to the point, he spelled shan't with one apostrophe earlier in the same story:




                                    "Shan't I go with you to the station?" his companion [Chilver] asked.




                                    And finally, Chilver is particularly struck by "the odd word," though he himself used shan't earlier. This suggests that James is using the double punctuation to indicate an unusual pronunciation of the word sha'n't (perhaps as two syllables: sha-ent?), much as he uses a hyphen to indicate an unusual pronunciation or drawing out of "A-ah!" at the beginning of the quoted dialogue.



                                    In any event, it's clear that writers can and do sometimes use two apostrophes in a single contraction, just as they can and sometimes do compress multiple words into one (as in the case of whadya for "what do you") without using any punctuation to clarify what's going on.






                                    share|improve this answer






























                                      1














                                      See also Apostrophes in contractions: shan't, sha'n't or sha'nt?.



                                      I was looking into the example of sha'n't because I just ran across that spelling in Henry James's short story, "The Great Condition" (1900), where characters named Bertram Braddle and Henry Chilver converse as follows:




                                      "A-ah!" Chilver murmered, as if only only now with a full view. "She means she'll speak when you are married."



                                      "When we are. And then only on one great condition."



                                      "How great?"



                                      "Well, that if after six months I still want it very much. She argues, you know, that I sha'n't want it."



                                      "You won't then—you won't!"cried Chilver with a laugh at the odd word and passing his arm into his friend's to make him walk again.




                                      There are several striking things about this occurrence of sha'n't. First, in the many stories that James wrote between 1892 and 1900, the spelling with two apostrophes occurs only this once (I believe). Notably, James doesn't spell won't with two apostrophes one line later—and more to the point, he spelled shan't with one apostrophe earlier in the same story:




                                      "Shan't I go with you to the station?" his companion [Chilver] asked.




                                      And finally, Chilver is particularly struck by "the odd word," though he himself used shan't earlier. This suggests that James is using the double punctuation to indicate an unusual pronunciation of the word sha'n't (perhaps as two syllables: sha-ent?), much as he uses a hyphen to indicate an unusual pronunciation or drawing out of "A-ah!" at the beginning of the quoted dialogue.



                                      In any event, it's clear that writers can and do sometimes use two apostrophes in a single contraction, just as they can and sometimes do compress multiple words into one (as in the case of whadya for "what do you") without using any punctuation to clarify what's going on.






                                      share|improve this answer




























                                        1












                                        1








                                        1







                                        See also Apostrophes in contractions: shan't, sha'n't or sha'nt?.



                                        I was looking into the example of sha'n't because I just ran across that spelling in Henry James's short story, "The Great Condition" (1900), where characters named Bertram Braddle and Henry Chilver converse as follows:




                                        "A-ah!" Chilver murmered, as if only only now with a full view. "She means she'll speak when you are married."



                                        "When we are. And then only on one great condition."



                                        "How great?"



                                        "Well, that if after six months I still want it very much. She argues, you know, that I sha'n't want it."



                                        "You won't then—you won't!"cried Chilver with a laugh at the odd word and passing his arm into his friend's to make him walk again.




                                        There are several striking things about this occurrence of sha'n't. First, in the many stories that James wrote between 1892 and 1900, the spelling with two apostrophes occurs only this once (I believe). Notably, James doesn't spell won't with two apostrophes one line later—and more to the point, he spelled shan't with one apostrophe earlier in the same story:




                                        "Shan't I go with you to the station?" his companion [Chilver] asked.




                                        And finally, Chilver is particularly struck by "the odd word," though he himself used shan't earlier. This suggests that James is using the double punctuation to indicate an unusual pronunciation of the word sha'n't (perhaps as two syllables: sha-ent?), much as he uses a hyphen to indicate an unusual pronunciation or drawing out of "A-ah!" at the beginning of the quoted dialogue.



                                        In any event, it's clear that writers can and do sometimes use two apostrophes in a single contraction, just as they can and sometimes do compress multiple words into one (as in the case of whadya for "what do you") without using any punctuation to clarify what's going on.






                                        share|improve this answer















                                        See also Apostrophes in contractions: shan't, sha'n't or sha'nt?.



                                        I was looking into the example of sha'n't because I just ran across that spelling in Henry James's short story, "The Great Condition" (1900), where characters named Bertram Braddle and Henry Chilver converse as follows:




                                        "A-ah!" Chilver murmered, as if only only now with a full view. "She means she'll speak when you are married."



                                        "When we are. And then only on one great condition."



                                        "How great?"



                                        "Well, that if after six months I still want it very much. She argues, you know, that I sha'n't want it."



                                        "You won't then—you won't!"cried Chilver with a laugh at the odd word and passing his arm into his friend's to make him walk again.




                                        There are several striking things about this occurrence of sha'n't. First, in the many stories that James wrote between 1892 and 1900, the spelling with two apostrophes occurs only this once (I believe). Notably, James doesn't spell won't with two apostrophes one line later—and more to the point, he spelled shan't with one apostrophe earlier in the same story:




                                        "Shan't I go with you to the station?" his companion [Chilver] asked.




                                        And finally, Chilver is particularly struck by "the odd word," though he himself used shan't earlier. This suggests that James is using the double punctuation to indicate an unusual pronunciation of the word sha'n't (perhaps as two syllables: sha-ent?), much as he uses a hyphen to indicate an unusual pronunciation or drawing out of "A-ah!" at the beginning of the quoted dialogue.



                                        In any event, it's clear that writers can and do sometimes use two apostrophes in a single contraction, just as they can and sometimes do compress multiple words into one (as in the case of whadya for "what do you") without using any punctuation to clarify what's going on.







                                        share|improve this answer














                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer








                                        edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38









                                        Community

                                        1




                                        1










                                        answered Apr 29 '14 at 20:16









                                        Sven YargsSven Yargs

                                        115k20252508




                                        115k20252508























                                            0














                                            Not sure if it counts, but o'clock is a contraction of "of the clock".






                                            share|improve this answer




























                                              0














                                              Not sure if it counts, but o'clock is a contraction of "of the clock".






                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                0












                                                0








                                                0







                                                Not sure if it counts, but o'clock is a contraction of "of the clock".






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                Not sure if it counts, but o'clock is a contraction of "of the clock".







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered Dec 15 '10 at 16:23









                                                EricEric

                                                1,751911




                                                1,751911

















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