Simple answer: because that's the way English works.
I am -> I'm || I have -> I've
You are -> You're || You have -> You've
He is -> He's || He has -> He's
She is -> She's || She has -> She's
It is -> It's || It has -> It's
We are -> We're || We have -> We've
They are -> They're || They have -> They've
There is a certain amount of ambiguitity here, but the precise meaning can usually be determined by context. You'll notice that the same ambiguity exists with he and it is/has.
Furthermore, it's (it is / it has) can also be confused with the possessive its (note no apostrophe)!
There are no contractions (that I'm aware of) for was (the past tense). She was is always She was, but She had can be contracted to She'd.
Answer from Mike Harris on Stack ExchangeSan Jose State University
sjsu.edu › writingcenter › docs › handouts › Contractions.pdf pdf
San José State University Writing Center www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter
she’s she is; she has · you’re you are · shouldn’t should not · you’ve you have · that’s that is; that has · One contraction that is not on the above list is “it’s.” It is useful to note that “it’s,” a contraction, is often confused with “its,” ...
Videos
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What are contractions?
Contractions are two or more words that are combined and shortened to save time. Typically, you can identify a contraction by the apostrophe, as with isn’t or they’ve—but don’t confuse contractions with possessive nouns, which also use apostrophes.
grammarly.com
grammarly.com › blog › grammar › contractions
What Are Contractions in Writing? Definition and Examples | Grammarly
Why are contractions important in spoken English?
Contractions are important in spoken English because they make speech sound more natural, friendly, and fluent. When used in an informal setting, they can also make communication more efficient by reducing word count and establishing a conversational tone.
preply.com
preply.com › preply language learning hub › learn english online › english writing › contractions in english: how to use them confidently when speaking and writing english
Contractions in English: Correct Use in Speaking & Writing
When should you use contractions?
Contractions are considered informal, so they should not be used in formal writing like academic papers.
grammarly.com
grammarly.com › blog › grammar › contractions
What Are Contractions in Writing? Definition and Examples | Grammarly
EnglishClub
englishclub.com › vocabulary › contractions-positive.php
Positive Contractions | Learn English
I will/ I shall I'd ... I would/ I should/ I had you're ... you are you've ... you have you'll ... you will you'd ... you had/ you would he's ... he has/ he is he'll ... he will he'd ... he had/ he would she's ... she has/ she is she'll ... she will she'd ... she had, she would it's ... it has/ it is it'll ... it will we're ... we are we've ... we have we'll ... we will we'd ... we had/ we would they're ... they are they've ... they have they'll ... they will they'd ... they had/ they would Oh yeah. 24 positive contractions...fully understood.
University of Sussex
sussex.ac.uk › informatics › punctuation › apostrophe › contractions
Contractions : The Apostrophe
But I advise you not to use the more colloquial contractions like she'd've in your formal writing: these things, while perfectly normal in speech, are a little too informal for careful writing. Such contractions represent the most useful job the apostrophe does for us, since, without it, we would have no way of expressing in writing the difference between she'll and shell, he'll and hell, can't and cant, I'll and ill, we're and were, she'd and shed, we'll and well, and perhaps a few others.
University of Nevada, Reno
unr.edu › university › writing & speaking center › writing & speaking resources › contractions
Contractions | University Writing & Speaking Center | University of Nevada, Reno
She’s = She is · How’s = How is · Contractions that take out the second letter of the second word: Note: Contractions that use the word “not” will replace the “o” with an apostrophe (‘). Shouldn’t = Should not · Wouldn’t = Would not · Couldn’t = Could not · Don’t = Do not · Isn’t = Is not · Wasn’t = Was not · Hasn’t = Has not ·
Reddit
reddit.com › r/grammar › can "she's" mean "she has" in written english?
r/grammar on Reddit: Can "she's" mean "she has" in written english?
December 19, 2013 -
My teacher says that when you write out "she's", it can only mean "she is", though when saying "she's" it can mean both "she is" AND "she has". Anyone have any insight on this?
Top answer 1 of 5
29
Nonsense, but not every instance of has can be contracted to 's. I disagree with u/nihilcupio , you can't write "She's two apples"; people also don't say that, as far as I know. "Has" in the sentence "She has two apples" is the main verb, meaning "possess". But if "has" is just an auxiliary verb to indicate tense ("She has found her dream guy"), it's perfectly OK to contract: "She's found her dream guy" is OK in spoken and written English. Here's a wikipedia link, not the most authoritative, but carries some weight: Contracted auxiliaries The section also explain that 's for does is very informal: "I like that guy. What's he do?" And this is indeed a sentence I would not write down unless rendering speech.
2 of 5
4
Nonsense. "She's" can mean either "she is" or "she has," and the meaning is derived from context: She's fourteen. = She is fourteeen years of age. She's got class. = She has got class. r/zeptimlus 's expansion is excellent. There are some unwritten rules about actual usage.
Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › grammar › contractions
What Are Contractions in Writing? Definition and Examples | Grammarly
August 10, 2022 - There’s another rule about contractions, again particular to American English, related to subject contractions in the present perfect tense (used for past actions that are related to or continue into the present). When the present perfect tense is used in the negative, it’s incorrect to use a subject contraction like she’s or I’ve. Instead you should use the subject followed by the contractions haven’t or hasn’t.
Enchanted Learning
enchantedlearning.com › grammar › contractions › index.shtml
Contractions - Enchanted Learning
March 9, 2006 - A multiple choice comprehension printable quiz about Contractions for early readers. Words: I’ll, we’re, you’d, don’t, isn’t, it’s, you’re, she’d, they’re, won’t.
Preply
preply.com › preply language learning hub › learn english online › english writing › contractions in english: how to use them confidently when speaking and writing english
Contractions in English: Correct Use in Speaking & Writing
September 18, 2025 - Contractions in English are formed in specific ways, which means you can’t just put any two words together. Usually, they include one or more of the following: Pronoun (e.g., “I”/“he”/“she”/“it”/“they”)
Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › are the contractions of "he is" and "he has" pronounced the same?
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Are the contractions of "he is" and "he has" pronounced the same?
March 31, 2024 - The contraction of "he has" is pronounced hezzzzz. I'm from the NorthEast of the U.S. if that matters. ... OP ignore this comment. Both versions are pronounced the same: heez. Continue this thread · Can "she" be used as an impersonal generic pronoun too together with "he or she" and "they"?
Learn English
learnenglish.ecenglish.com › lessons › contractions
Contractions | Learn English
We make contractions by connecting two or more words together. One or more letters are removed from the words when they are connected. ... There would → There'd → "There'd have been more people here if the party had been on the weekend." That had → That'd → "That'd better be the last ...
Quora
quora.com › Can-it-s-be-a-contraction-for-it-has
Can “it’s” be a contraction for “it has”? - Quora
Answer (1 of 96): Yes it can, however it is acting as an auxiliary verb in this form and needs to be followed by the main verb for that clause. I have added a list of all the contractions of English verbs which I can think of. Use them carefully because, like in the case above, they may not be th...
Lawless English
lawlessenglish.com › home › contractions with the verb have
Contractions with the verb HAVE - Lawless English
April 18, 2014 - Has can never be contracted with its subject (he, she, or it) when it is the main verb in the sentence and is in the present tense.
The Editor’s Manual
editorsmanual.com › articles › usage › contractions
Contractions in English Grammar | The Editor’s Manual
December 4, 2024 - (she is) Possessive: This is ... If you can expand it, it’s a contraction, not a possessive. Here is a useful list of commonly used contractions in English. English also has other contracted forms, some of which are nonstandard and avoided in writing.
Scribbr
scribbr.com › home › contractions (grammar) | definition & examples
Contractions (Grammar) | Definition & Examples
May 2, 2025 - Scribbr customers enjoy an ad-free experience! An apostrophe followed by an "s" may indicate possession (e.g., "Dave's house") or contraction (e.g., "Dave's here" = "Dave is here").
Langeek
langeek.co › home › grammar › punctuation and spelling › contractions
"Contractions" in English Grammar | LanGeek
2 weeks ago - Is she Sarah? → ✔No, she isn't. ✔No, she's not. Contractions are used to make informal texts and conversations.
LanguageTool
languagetool.org › home › contractions: what they are and how to form them
Contractions: What They Are and How To Form Them
July 29, 2025 - It has eight different forms, but only the present simple tense forms—is, am, and are—get contracted. Is is used for third-person singular subjects. It’s contracted by replacing the “i” with an apostrophe. She called to inform us that she’s going to be late.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › education and communications › studying › english › english grammar › how to use contractions: 12 steps (with pictures) - wikihow
How to Use Contractions: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
August 14, 2025 - A contraction consists of two words shortened (contracted) into one word. It reflects the way people often speak. "Do not" becomes "don't." "Will not" becomes "won't." "I am" becomes "I'm." "You are" becomes "you're." "She is" becomes "she's."
Quora
quora.com › While-writing-can-the-apostrophe-used-for-contractions-e-g-he-s-she-s-they-re-be-used-after-nouns-also-e-g-The-book-s-good-for-The-book-is-good-train-s-arrived-for-train-has-arrived-Seeta-s-coming-for-Seeta-is
While writing, can the apostrophe used for contractions (e.g., “he’s,” “she’s,” “they’re”) be used after nouns also? (e.g., “The book’s good” for “The book is good”; “train’s arrived” for “train has arrived”; “Seeta’s coming” for “Seeta is coming”)? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): To Rajagopalan, The apostrophe used for the contraction of a pronoun plus a verb indicates a missing letter or letters: * “He’s” = “he is” (“i” is missing), or “he has” (“ha” are missing) * “She’s” = “she is” (“i” is missing), or “she has” ...
Twinkl
twinkl.ca › teaching-wiki › contracted-form
What is a contraction in English? - Definition and Examples
Twinkl's Teaching Wiki gives explanations of common terms and key vocabulary used in teaching, and shows related Twinkl resources for each term.