In grammar, a contraction is a shortened form of two words that are combined by omitting one or more letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. Contractions can be found in informal writing or speech, and they are commonly used in everyday conversations.

For example, “I am” can be contracted to “I`m,” “you are” can be contracted to “you`re,” and “cannot” can be contracted to “can`t.” Contractions help to simplify sentences and make them sound more natural.

It`s important to note that contractions are not used in formal writing, such as academic papers, business reports, or legal documents. In these types of writing, a more formal tone is required, and contractions may be viewed as unprofessional or incorrect.

Contractions are often confused with possessives, which also use an apostrophe. Possessives indicate ownership or possession, such as “the dog`s toy” or “John`s car.” However, possessives do not involve the omission of letters, unlike contractions.

In conclusion, contractions are a common feature of informal writing and speech. They help to simplify sentences and make them sound more natural. However, they should be avoided in formal writing situations. It`s important to understand the correct usage of contractions in order to communicate effectively and appropriately in different contexts.