English has many contractions, short forms of two words. They often combine a pronoun and verb such as they're instead of they are. English contractions also combine a modal and the word not. Here is a list:
cannot can't
could not couldn't
must not mustn't
shall not shan't
should not shouldn't
will not won't
would not wouldn't
The verb could can express past tense but can also be used for politeness. An example is the request Could you please help me? The contraction couldn't can be used to request a favour, i.e., Couldn't you come tomorrow? It's less direct than Could you come tomorrow?
The modals may, might and ought to aren't contracted with not. This sets them apart from the other modals. The contraction shan't is used in British English, but is rare in American.
Contractions combine two words into a shorter form. They're very common in conversation but are inappropriate in formal writing. In addition to pronouns and verbs, many modals can combine with not to form contractions.
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