'd

I'd like to see the new exhibit at the museum.

Definition

Contracted verb form (abbreviation):
- had: The abbreviation "'d" is used to represent the past perfect auxiliary verb "had" in informal or contracted speech.
- would: The abbreviation "'d" is also used to represent the modal auxiliary verb "would" in informal or contracted speech.
- should: Less commonly, "'d" can represent "should" in informal contexts, though this usage is rare in modern English.

Usage Examples

As "had":
- I'd already finished my homework before dinner. (I had already finished my homework.)
- She'd never been to Paris before. (She had never been to Paris before.)
As "would":
- He'd like a cup of coffee. (He would like a cup of coffee.)
- We'd go if we had time. (We would go if we had time.)
As "should" (rare):
- I'd have thought you'd know better. (I should have thought you would know better.)

Advanced Usage

Double contraction: In very informal speech, "'d" can combine with other contractions, such as "I'd've" (I would have) or "you'd've" (you would have).
- I'd've called you if I'd known. (I would have called you if I had known.)
Interrogative form: "'d" can appear in questions when contracted with the subject.
- What'd you say? (What did you say? — Note: here "'d" represents "did," not "had" or "would.")

Variants and Related Words

'd've (contraction): a combination of "'d" (would) and "have."
- They'd've come earlier if they could. (They would have come earlier.)
'd better (phrase): a contraction of "had better," meaning "should" or "ought to."
- You'd better leave now. (You had better leave now.)

Synonyms

Had (past perfect): the full form of "'d" in past perfect constructions.
Would (modal): the full form of "'d" in conditional or volitional contexts.
Should (modal): the full form of "'d" in rare, formal uses.

Related Idioms

'd rather: a fixed phrase meaning "would prefer to."
- I'd rather stay home than go out. (I would rather stay home.)
'd sooner: a fixed phrase meaning "would prefer to."
- She'd sooner die than apologize. (She would prefer to die rather than apologize.)