Linked Questions

58 votes
9 answers
58k views

Is it appropriate to use short form of "have" ('ve) when it means possession?

I feel uncomfortable saying sentences like the following: "I've a car" instead of "I have a car" "They've a great time" instead of "They have a great time" "He's a pen" instead of "He has a pen" etc ...
serg's user avatar
  • 5,091
59 votes
6 answers
43k views

Is there some rule against ending a sentence with the contraction "it's"?

I heard this lyric in a song the other day and it just sounded so wrong that I assumed it must be incorrect grammar, but I can't find any specific prohibition that applies. That's what it's. That ...
JohnFx's user avatar
  • 7,464
1 vote
4 answers
3k views

"The problem is he is stingy"

I have this sentence: The problem is he is very stingy with his money. But I feel it sounds weird or even wrong with the two ises so close. Is the sentence structure grammatical? If it isn't, how ...
null's user avatar
  • 125
8 votes
3 answers
18k views

What's this? What is it? but not What's it? - Why?

Can anyone give a cogent, simply described explanation of why the verb BE in: What is it? ... doesn't seem to be able to be contracted with the subject: What's it? * Compare the sentences above ...
Araucaria - Him's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
801 views

Is there an exception to the prohibition against ending a sentence with “ ’s ” at work here?

The ’s can be used as a contraction representing a weak, unstressed word that is not pronounced. It allegedly cannot occur in sentence final position. She is not ready, but he is. She’s not ...
tchrist's user avatar
  • 135k
4 votes
3 answers
11k views

Is it okay to say "Yes you're." instead of "Yes you are."? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is there some rule against ending a sentence with the contraction “it's”? I was having an SMS conversation with a friend and somehow "Yes you're" came into play in ...
MrZander's user avatar
  • 277
2 votes
3 answers
24k views

Is "No" a complete sentence [closed]

I'm aware No is what is called a "sentence word". Does that mean that on its own, it is a "complete sentence"? Please state the reason for your answer, i.e. do not simply answer "Yes" or "No"
vogomatix's user avatar
  • 147
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is there a rule for when contractions are not possible? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is there some rule against ending a sentence with the contraction “it's”? In conversing with non-native English speakers online, I saw someone type: Do you ...
Spare Oom's user avatar
  • 1,615
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why does the contraction of "I will" sound strange in certain sentence constructions? [duplicate]

Recently, while chatting with a friend via text, my friend asked me, "Can you ask them tomorrow?" I responded with: I will when I go. It occurred to me when writing this response that it would be ...
Questioner's user avatar
  • 1,249
5 votes
1 answer
5k views

"If you don't do it, I'll". Why does that sentence feel so awkward? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is there some rule against ending a sentence with the contraction “it’s”? Earlier today while writing a very informal email, I expressed: If you don't do it, I will. Upon ...
RLH's user avatar
  • 905
3 votes
1 answer
775 views

Why isn’t “It’s” a complete sentence, but “It is” is? [duplicate]

I’m a native English speaker, so I understand that It’s. is not a complete sentence, whereas the sentence It is. is a complete sentence. What linguistic mechanism prevents “It’s.” from being ...
Lucas's user avatar
  • 139
1 vote
0 answers
60 views

Why can't the contraction "you're" be used in this sentence? [duplicate]

How come this sentence works: 'Let me know if you’re available.' But this one doesn’t: 'Let me know if either of you’re available.' Because the second one doesn't work, there must be some sort of ...
Alex Ryan's user avatar