Pronunciation insight 8

 Contractions: had or would

A contraction is a short form of a word or group of words, for example 'll (= will), don't (= do not), isn't (= is not). The apostrophe (') shows that one or more letters have been left out.
Some contractions have more than one meaning. For example, 'd could mean had or would. It is easy to confuse them, but you can use the context and your knowledge of grammar to help you decide which one is correct.

1Study the underlined words in sentences 1–3. Does 'd mean had or would? Match the sentences with grammatical categories in the right column. Then play the recording, listen and repeat. 

I'd read all the books about Harry Potter before I watched the films.

I'd love to meet J.K. Rowling.

If I could talk to her, I'd ask her about her new book.

• second conditional
• past perfect
• would + verb + infinitive

2Sometimes it can be difficult to hear 'd in a sentence. Play the recording, listen and choose the sentences that you hear. Then listen again and repeat. Try to make the 'd as clear as possible. 

• 1He invited all his friends to the party.He'd invited all his friends to the party.

• 2I trained for six hours every day.I'd trained for six hours every day.

• 3We told you about the competition.We'd told you about the competition.

• 4She lost her umbrella.She'd lost her umbrella.

• 5They lived near Buckingham Palace.They'd lived near Buckingham Palace.

• 6We won the swimming race.We'd won the swimming race.

3Add 'd once to each sentence. Does it mean had or would? 

• 1If I were the Queen of England, I live in Buckingham Palace.

  2She didn't have any money because she lost her wallet.

  3They like to live in a big city.

  4If he knew your phone number, he phone you.

  5We love to go sightseeing this afternoon.

  6I missed the bus, so I had to walk to school.

• wouldhad

  wouldhad

  wouldhad

  wouldhad

  wouldhad

  wouldhad

4Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 3. Then listen again and repeat.