I really wonder. Like, sometimes we use "I'm", and sometimes we use "I am".
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'I'm' is merely a contraction of 'I am'.
From Wikipedia:
A contraction is a shortened version of the written and spoken forms of a word, syllable, or word group, created by omission of internal letters (actually, sounds). In traditional grammar, contraction can denote the formation of a new word from one word or a group of words, for example, by elision. This often occurs in rendering a common sequence of words or, as in French, in maintaining a flowing sound.
'I'm' is always used in conjunction with a noun phrase. You cannot write "A boy, I'm", but you can write "A boy, I am". 'I'm' may also be considered informal outside speech or a literary scope.
'I am' is also longer to pronounce, and therefore has more emphasis (as pointed out by one of the answers).
Vatsal Manot
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1And when would you use one form instead of another? Are there exceptions? Are they always interchangeable? Please, edit the post to make your answer appear more complete. – Mari-Lou A Apr 26 '15 at 10:09
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So add that to your answer. Make the answer full and complete in itself, without the need to refer to comments, and including any corroborative evidence you can find. – Andrew Leach Apr 26 '15 at 10:11
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Emphasis is the only difference I can think of in spoken English, besides "I am" sounding more formal. Also, there are those who say we should try to avoid the use of contractions in formal written English.
Yes, I'm going.
Yes, I am going.
Alphonse68
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