Vocafy - Apprentissage efficace des langues Vocafy - Apprentissage efficace des langues
Anglais

contraction

gb/kəntɹˈækʃən/ us/kəntɹˈækʃən/
B1 Anglais
~ 7600
Sens
0 sens
Nom B1 entity
1

shortened form like “don't”

A short form of a word or words, made by leaving out letters or sounds, often written with an apostrophe, like “I'm” for “I am”.

Schéma d’usage : the contraction of [word/phrase]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse contractions with abbreviations (e.g., thinking "Dr." is a contraction). Another frequent mistake is mixing up similar contractions and possessives, such as "it's" (it is/has) vs. "its" (possessive), or "you're" (you are) vs. "your" (possessive). Some learners also think contractions are always wrong in writing, but they are normal in most informal and semi-formal texts.
Synonymes
short form (More informal and descriptive; less technical than “contraction”.) | clitic (Technical linguistic term; used mainly in grammar and linguistics, not in everyday speech.)
Antonymes
full form (Refers to the complete, unshortened version of a word or phrase, such as “do not” instead of “don't”.) | uncontracted form (More technical way to say that all letters and sounds are kept; often used in grammar explanations.)
Collocations
common contractions |negative contractions |use contractions |avoid contractions |full form and contraction |form a contraction
Thèmes
language |education |writing |communication |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • In informal emails, it's fine to use contractions like "can't" and "won't."
  • The word "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," not a possessive.
  • Many English learners are taught not to use contractions in very formal writing.
  • She explained that "they're" is the contraction for "they are," which is different from "their."
  • The dialogue in the novel is full of contractions to make the characters sound natural.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The teacher writes contractions on the board.
  • "I'm" is a contraction of "I am."
  • Please do not use contractions in this test.
  • Many people use contractions when they speak.
  • He does not know the contraction for "they are."
Nom B2 event
2

tightening of a muscle

A strong tightening of a muscle that makes it shorter, which can move part of the body or cause pain.

Schéma d’usage : a contraction of [muscle/body part]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "contraction" with "cramp" or "spasm." A cramp is a type of painful, often sudden contraction, but not every contraction is a cramp. Also, some learners use "contraction" to mean any kind of pain, which is too broad.
Synonymes
tightening (More general word for becoming tight; less specifically medical or muscular.) | spasm (Suggests a sudden, often painful or uncontrolled contraction, usually seen as more severe or abnormal.)
Antonymes
relaxation (Describes a muscle returning to a loose, resting state, the opposite of tightening or contracting.)
Collocations
muscle contraction |involuntary contraction |painful contraction |strong contraction |cause a contraction |prevent contractions
Thèmes
health |body |science
Exemples
  • A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle that can be very painful.
  • The therapist explained how repeated muscle contractions help strengthen the leg after surgery.
  • Dehydration can increase the risk of painful muscle contractions during exercise.
  • Electrical signals from the brain control the contraction of skeletal muscles.
  • Stretching after a workout may reduce sudden contractions in your calves at night.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • I felt a sharp contraction in my leg.
  • Muscle contractions help you move your arm.
  • The doctor said the contractions were normal during this exercise.
  • He has painful contractions in his back muscles.
  • Water can help prevent muscle contractions when you run.
Nom B2 event
3

painful tightening in labor

A strong pain when the womb muscles tighten again and again to help the baby come out during birth.

Schéma d’usage : have contractions
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize that, in the context of pregnancy, "contractions" usually refers specifically to labor pains in the uterus, not just any muscle pain. Some also confuse "contractions" with "conception" or "contraception" because the words look similar but have very different meanings.
Synonymes
labor pain (Focuses on the feeling of pain rather than the muscle action itself, but often used in the same context.)
Antonymes
relaxation (Refers to the period when the uterus muscles are not tightening between contractions.)
Collocations
labor contractions |contractions started |time the contractions |regular contractions |strong contractions |mild contractions
Thèmes
health |family |body
Exemples
  • She went to the hospital when her contractions became strong and regular.
  • The nurse showed them how to time the contractions to see how quickly labor was progressing.
  • Early contractions can feel like strong period cramps.
  • Her contractions were five minutes apart, so the midwife told her to come in right away.
  • After several hours of intense contractions, the baby was finally born.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • She is in labor and has strong contractions.
  • Her contractions are getting closer together.
  • They go to the hospital when the contractions start.
  • The nurse checks how long each contraction lasts.
  • He helps her breathe during each contraction.
Nom technical B2 event
4

process of becoming smaller

The process of something becoming smaller or shorter, for example when it gets cold or loses water.

Schéma d’usage : a contraction in [size/length/amount]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may misunderstand this sense and think it only refers to language (word contractions), not realizing it is also a common scientific term for shrinking in size. Another confusion is using "contraction" when they simply mean "contract" as a verb, for example saying "the metal has a contraction" instead of "the metal contracts."
Synonymes
shrinkage (Everyday word that often refers to things getting smaller, especially clothes or materials, sometimes more informal.) | reduction (Very general word for becoming less or smaller; does not always imply physical size.)
Antonymes
expansion (Describes something becoming larger in size or volume, often due to heating, the opposite of contraction in physics.) | growth (General increase in size or amount; broader than “expansion” but opposite to the idea of becoming smaller.)
Collocations
thermal contraction |contraction and expansion |contraction of metal |contraction in length |slight contraction |volume contraction
Thèmes
science |physics |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • The metal rod shows slight contraction when the temperature drops.
  • Repeated cycles of expansion and contraction can damage building materials over time.
  • The scientist measured the contraction of the gas as it cooled.
  • Freezing temperatures caused noticeable contraction in the plastic pipes.
  • The bridge is designed to allow for thermal contraction and expansion throughout the year.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • Cold weather can cause the contraction of metal.
  • The balloon shows contraction when the air cools.
  • We saw the contraction of the line on the graph.
  • Heating and contraction can break the glass.
  • There was a small contraction in the length of the bar.
Nom technical C1 event
5

period of economic decline

A time when a country’s economy is doing less business, making fewer goods, and often losing jobs.

Schéma d’usage : a contraction in [the economy/demand/output]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse "contraction" with "contract" (the legal document) in economic news. Some also think "contraction" is always as strong as a "recession" or a "crisis"; in fact, it can describe any period of negative or slower growth, which may be mild.
Synonymes
downturn (Common business term for a general worsening of economic conditions; slightly less technical than “contraction”.) | recession (A more specific economic term, often defined by at least two quarters of negative growth; not every contraction is officially a recession.)
Antonymes
boom (Colloquial term for fast or strong economic growth, clearly opposite in feeling to a contraction.)
Collocations
economic contraction |sharp contraction |global contraction |period of contraction |contraction in demand |contraction in output
Thèmes
business |economy |finance
Exemples
  • The country experienced a severe economic contraction after the financial crisis.
  • A sudden contraction in consumer spending hurt small businesses across the region.
  • Analysts warn that another contraction could lead to higher unemployment.
  • The central bank cut interest rates to prevent a prolonged contraction of the economy.
  • Following years of steady growth, the company is now facing a period of contraction.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The news reported a contraction in the economy.
  • There was a sharp contraction in demand for new cars.
  • Many people lost their jobs during the contraction.
  • The bank took action to stop a long contraction.
  • After the contraction, the economy started to grow again.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
contraction
API
GB/kəntɹˈækʃən/
US/kəntɹˈækʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
con - trac - tion (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trac)
Formes du mot
Noun
  • Base: contraction
  • Plural: contractions
Famille de mots
Forms
contractions noun
Core family
contract verb B1
Related words
contractor noun B1 contractual adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
expand verb B1 expansion noun B1
Advanced or less common
contractually adverb C1
Expressions

Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.

Revenir à la liste
Nous n’utilisons pas de cookies publicitaires tiers ni de pixels de suivi intersites.
Nous utilisons des cookies et des technologies similaires pour assurer le bon fonctionnement de notre application, analyser les performances et améliorer votre expérience.
Vous pouvez gérer vos préférences à tout moment.

Bon retour parmi nous !

Connectez-vous pour continuer

Mot de passe oublié ?
Vous n’avez pas de compte ? S’inscrire