contraction

contraction — noun

1. the process of a material or object reducing in size, especially when it cools,

1.名詞B2
釋義

the process of a material or object reducing in size, especially when it cools, dries, or is placed under physical force

例句

The contraction of metal rails in cold weather can cause dangerous gaps between them.

collocation: contraction of [material]

Dahlia noticed the slow contraction of the clay as it dried in the afternoon sun.

uncountable: the process of shrinking

同義詞
  • shrinking

    more general and less technical; used for everyday objects

  • constriction

    suggests tightening or narrowing rather than overall size reduction

  • compression

    focuses on being pressed together by external force, not natural cooling or drying

反義詞
  • expansion

    the process of getting larger in size

文法句型

contraction + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by 'of' to name the material or object that shrinks (e.g., contraction of the metal). The opposite process is expansion.

常見錯誤

❌The contraction of the sponge happened when I added water.
✅The expansion of the sponge happened when I added water.
💡sponges grow larger when wet, so the opposite word (expansion) is correct.

2. the situation of an economy or industry shrinking, with less money being spent,

2.名詞B2
釋義

the situation of an economy or industry shrinking, with less money being spent, fewer goods produced, and reduced business activity

例句

The country's economy experienced a sharp contraction after the trade tariffs took effect.

collocation: sharp contraction

Economists predicted a contraction in consumer spending during the winter months.

pattern: contraction in [area of activity]

同義詞
  • recession

    a more widely known term for a period of economic decline; 'contraction' sounds more technical

  • downturn

    softer and less precise; can describe a short-term dip

  • slowdown

    milder than contraction; suggests reduced speed rather than actual shrinking

反義詞
  • expansion

    growth in economic output and activity

  • growth

    increase in the size or value of an economy

文法句型

contraction + in + noun phrase

economic contraction

用法筆記

Most common in economics and business journalism. Frequently paired with modifiers like sharp, severe, rapid, or modest. The standard opposite is expansion or growth.

3. one of the regular tightenings of a woman's womb muscles during childbirth that

3.名詞B2
釋義

one of the regular tightenings of a woman's womb muscles during childbirth that work together to move the baby down the birth canal

例句

Ava's contractions started coming every ten minutes, so her husband drove her to the hospital.

usually plural: contractions

The midwife told Gabriela her contractions were too weak to push the baby out.

collocation: weak / strong contractions

同義詞

文法句型

have + contractions

contractions + verb (start / come / become)

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form (contractions) when referring to the birth process. The intensity and frequency of contractions increase as labour progresses.

常見錯誤

❌She felt a contraction in her arm after lifting the box.' (when meaning childbirth)
✅Her labour contractions started at 6 a.m.
💡childbirth contractions are specifically about the womb during labour, not any muscle tightening elsewhere.

4. a single word made by joining two shorter words and removing some sounds, with a

4.名詞B1
釋義

a single word made by joining two shorter words and removing some sounds, with an apostrophe in place of the missing letters — for instance, 'won't' from 'will not' or 'I'm' from 'I am'

例句

In spoken English, people often use contractions such as 'I'll' instead of 'I will'.

pattern: contraction such as [example]

The teacher explained that 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or sometimes 'it has'.

pattern: contraction of [full form]

同義詞
  • short form

    broader term; includes abbreviations and contractions

反義詞
  • full form

    the complete word or phrase before shortening

文法句型

contraction + of + full form

contraction for + full form

用法筆記

Common in everyday informal English, but most style guides recommend avoiding contractions in formal or academic writing. A contraction is different from a possessive (e.g., 'its' vs 'it's').

常見錯誤

❌The word "don't" is an abbreviation of "do not".
✅The word "don't" is a contraction of "do not".
💡an abbreviation shortens a word by dropping internal letters (e.g., 'Dr.' for 'Doctor'), while a contraction joins two words with an apostrophe for missing sounds.
❌Its a beautiful day outside.
✅It's a beautiful day outside.
💡'its' shows possession; the contraction 'it's' stands for 'it is'.