'd en · VERB
Pronunciation
Etymology
Contraction of would or had.
Meanings
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(abbreviation, alt-of, clitic, contraction) Contraction of had, as an auxiliary verb.
alt of as an auxiliary verbalt of had
You’d seen it before anyone else had.
p’rhaps you didn’t say the cow was a red Durham; and p’rhaps you didn’t say she’d got a star on her brow
1861, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter VI, in Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC:They baby’d been crying all night.
I’d better not.
He’d done his best, but it hadn't been enough.
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(abbreviation, alt-of, clitic, contraction) Contraction of had, as a main verb, but not a phrasal verb.
alt of as a main verbalt of but not a phrasal verbalt of had
She’d two advantages over him: she’d more fire and a complete conviction she was in the right.
1974, Stanley Middleton, Holiday:I'd no reason to doubt him.
“He’s a dear little man,” said Cynthia. “I’d no idea you knew him.”
1920, Agatha Christie, chapter II, in The Mysterious Affair at Styles:She'd her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan.
1963 Peter, Paul and Mary, "Polly Von"
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(abbreviation, alt-of, clitic, contraction) Contraction of would or should.
alt of shouldalt of would
If I knew his name, I'd tell you.
John’d prefer not to go out tonight.
I wish Mom'd let me do that for one week
1965 January 9, Lou Sullivan, Diary:I’d like to help, but I have no time.
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(abbreviation, alt-of, clitic, colloquial, contraction) Contraction of did.
alt of did
Why the hell'd you do that?
Hey, where’d everybody go? Why’d they take off?
y'all'dn't've