Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases created by combining two words and omitting certain letters. For example, the words you and are can be combined to form the contraction you're. This makes speech and writing more fluid and conversational, allowing us to express ourselves more naturally. In English, contractions often include an apostrophe to indicate the missing letters. Common examples include can't for cannot, it's for it is, and they're for they are. Using contractions can make your language sound more relaxed and friendly, which is especially useful in everyday conversations.