I’m or I am? What’s the difference?

Vocabulary / By

There is no significant difference between I’m and I am. The only difference is that we use “I’m” for informal contexts and “I am” for neutral or formal contexts. “I’m” is a contraction of “I am”.

I am from East Texas.

I’m from East Texas.

I’m 

I’m is a contraction of “I am”. A contraction is basically when you put two words together and use an apostrophe to show that some letters have been left out. 

In this case, we leave out the “a” from the word ”am”. The reason we do this is that in spoken English, we often put words together because it is easier to say them in that way. 

In written English, the apostrophe is used to represent the fact that two words sound like one word.

Other examples include:

They’re 

We’re

What’s

We’ll

I’ll

I am 

We use “I am” when we want to use the verb “to be”. We often use the verb “to be” when we want to describe our state of being. 

I am tired.

I am happy

I am fixated on this.

We also use “I am” with verb tenses like the present continuous. 

I am playing football.

I am trying to open the bottle.

I am going to the shops later. 

The full conjugation of the verb to be in the present is:

I am 

You are 

He is

She is 

We are 

They are

I’m and I am difference

There is no difference in meaning between “I’m” and “I am”. The only difference is that we use contractions for informal situations like messages between friends.

My advice is to use “I am” for work situations or if you are writing something for school. If you are writing a message to friends you can use “I’m”. 

Am or I’m?

“Am” is incorrect and you should not use that in English. Some people drop the subject pronoun in very informal situations.

It is better to stick to “I am” or “I’m”.  

Is it grammatically correct to say “I am”?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say “I am”. “I am” is the first person conjugation of the verb “to be” in the present tense. 

I am okay.

I am fantastic.

I am lost. 

What is the difference between I and I am?

“I” by itself is a subject pronoun. “I am” is the first person conjugation of the verb “to be” in the present tense. “I” can be conjugated with nearly every verb in English.

I took the bus yesterday.

I am looking for a new bicycle. 

Is I’am correct?

No, ”I’am” is not correct. You must write either “I’m” or “I am”.  

Can I use I’m in a formal letter? 

You can use “I’m” in a formal letter but you probably shouldn’t. You only use “I’m for informal situations. 

Formal letter example

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing you this letter to inform you that I will be leaving at the end of the week. 

Best regards,

Conor

Informal letter example

Hello John,

I’m writing you this short letter to tell you that I will be leaving at the end of the week.

Best,

Conor

Should I capitalize I’m in the middle of a sentence?

Yes, you should always capitalize “I” when you use it as a pronoun. You should use also use it when you form the contraction “I’m”.

Examples:

I don’t know when I’m leaving. 

I can’t see what I’m doing. 

“I am what I am” meaning

“I am what I am” means that you believe that you have formed your personality and you can’t change that. 

You are always arriving late to meetings!

I am what I am!. 

Conor
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