How common is it to say/write "I'da"?

Formal writing, definitely not. Writing a novel and trying to convey how a person speaks, yes. Casually, not for me, but if someone did it, I'd know what they were saying. Eta: everyday speech, pretty common. Formal, practiced speech, no.

It's "I would have." I would have > I'd have > I'd've > I'da

maybe not “i’da” but i’ve definitely said and written “idve” which is short for ‘i would have’

"I'da" is short for "I woulda", which is short for "I would have"

I’ve never seen it written down. I think the only circumstance when it would be written is in a quote where the author is indicating thethe speaker’s dialect. I don’t think I would say it. My dialect is British/Canadian. But I have heard it. Maybe it’s a southern US thing.

IMO it should be spelled “I’d’a”. Not that spelling is consistent for words this informal. Mostly I just love double contractions. “She’d’ve” is another good one.

Very common to say. You'd usually write it or transcribe it as "I'd have", but when pronouncing it, you can contract the *have* to *'ve* and you can take this even further and pronounce it more like '*a.* (This is also the same phenomenon by which *would have* is contracted to *would've* but is often pronounced *woulda*). Neither I'd've nor I'da are standard contractions, but they rather represent the way that we de-emphasize certain syllables to make the sentence flow better. Contractions exist to mimic in writing some of the ways in which we de-emphasize certain common phrases to flow better, but in speech there are far more places where we de-emphasize words beyond just formal contractions. For example, if I were speaking the last sentence out loud, *there are* would come out more like *there'r* because the syllable *are* is de-emphasized.

In general, the American accent connects nearly every word in a sentence except for words that are emphasized. In this case, the emphasized word is "waited". So, the answer is: "literally all the time." Edit: I went out to find this link. This playlist does a great job of breaking down the American accent, and how we link words. I recommend it all the time, because I genuinely find it helpful. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrqHrGoMJdTQjpAE9LLYcpGqFOVQOyT7n&si=U3HCLfKES4U0Wugj

How common? Don’t know, but I’ve both said it and heard it. Can’t imagine it would ever be *written* however, unless by an author of fiction who was trying to convey a speaker’s exact dialect.

Very commonly said in my region. Rarely written.

I think it's just like in Harry Potter, like how Hagrid speaks. It's just used to make the character feels more real.

Very common to say in Yorkshire, England. I say it a lot, I’ve never seen it written. I write I’d’ve.

I say this. I wouldn't write it out. I would totally say (verbally): "if I'da known you were coming over, I woulda cleaned up the kitchen." but if I was writing it out (in a casual text), I'd say: "if I woulda known you were coming over, I woulda cleaned up the kitchen." but if I was writing it out in a formal context of some kind: "If I would have known you were coming over, I would have cleaned up the kitchen." it's a dialect specific thing. imo, if this isn't your natural dialect, there's no need to force it.

It's fairly common to say informally, but very rare to write, in my experience.

How common it is to say: Varies based on region How common it is to write: I have never seen this used in writing in my entire life.

Say? Very common certainly in some dialects. Write? I dont think I've ever seen it written before today 

Personally I would say "I'd've".

It's common to say, but you write it as "I'd have." "If I'd have known, I never would've done it" for example.

American here. "I'da" is never written, and almost never said.

as someone from Texas, I sometimes use that in casual conversation. i usually wouldn't think to text it to someone, my tone changes a little bit when I text.

It depends on where you live. I’da is common in part of the US.

I'm not sure I say it at all; I'm pretty sure I pronounce it "I'd've". I've probably heard it, though. I'm not sure I've ever seen it written, even informally.

Usually only spoken. If I was transcribing what a person was saying and they said it that way, I’d automatically write it as “I’d have.”

It's definitely more of a "say, not text" type thing. Since it's short for "I woulda" which itself is short for "I would have", you could write it as "I'da." If you were casually texting an English-speaking friend, they would probably be able to understand the meaning of "I'da" or just "ida" from the context of the sentence you would use it in.

I'mma have to think about this one...

Spoken you’d hear it all the time. People probably wouldn’t even be aware they said I’da. If you asked them to write what they just said, they’d write “I’d have”, “I would’ve”, or “I would have” Written you’d only ever really see it if someone is purposefully trying to convey a particular way of speaking in fiction.

Yeah, that's a common way to *say* "I would have", but not a common way to *write* it, even informally. It's probably meant to give a sense of the character's accent/dialect.

This is for spoken word ONLY. Do NOT write “I’da” even as a text

They most likely said I'd've, which people do pronounce as I'da a lot, which is slang for I'd have. Short for "I would have." Definitely pretty common to say I'd've out loud, but I don't see it written down that often. People will understand it, but when writing/texting I'd probably just type "I'd have" or "I would've" (same words combined differently). As another comment mentioned, you could also totally pronounce/type would've, could've and should've as woulda coulda shoulda, and no one would really care. Obviously this is all in informal writing! Like just talking to people. Anything academic, you should probably stick to no conjugations

I use it a fair amount in informal speech with others.

It's common in informal speech, fairly rare in informal writing, and nonexistent in formal contexts.

An author would write it in some dialog to make their character's speech as authentic to the character as possible. But that is the only time you would typically see it written.

People talk like this but tend not to write this. More likely in this situation to write I woulda

I’ve never written it, but I’ve definitely said it It’s common to hear, at least in the western United States It’s not commonly written. It’s a very casual way of speaking. The game creators definitely wanted the players to know exactly how this character talks. He or she speaks very casually

I'da thought it was less common than it probably is. ;0) I write it sometimes, but only when I am being *very* informal. In a text it's okay, but I'd be much more likely to *say* it rather than write it (and even then, it's pretty unlikely).

When speaking? Pretty common. In writing? Almost never

This reminds me of the phrase "Why I oughta" from old tv shows.

From California have never seen this written and it comes off as a specific accent

It’s common in spoken English where I live but I can’t remember ever seeing it spelled like that in text, casual or otherwise. I see “I’d have” written down (short for “I would have”), but it can sound like “I’da” or “I’duv.” I would guess your video game was trying to give your character some kind of accent or regional “flavor” but it’s not something that’s commonly used.

Never. That’s not a thing. I have no idea what it is. It’s very lazy English and the proper is always “I would’ve waited”

I guess “I’da” is a short way to express ‘I would have’. I don’t recommend you use this when you write. As a learner, it is helpful for you to understand, recognise and practice the more conventional short-form: I’d have [+past participle] - [future in the past or past modal]. I’da is useful in focusing on how native speakers pronounce this form: /ɑɪdə/ = I would have. This will help you decode connected speech. However, using “I’da” in written English will only be accepted and understood by a very small minority of English speakers as a whole, and will be confusing or annoying for most, in particular those who speak English as an international language.

Yeah I have never in my life written "I'da." I would use "I would've" since contractions with multiple paranthesies are technically allowed in English, but for aesthetic reasons people avoid them.

Very common to say More uncommon to write. It's an example of elision, which happens all the time in normal speech. It's a bit informal. If I was making a formal speech in front of parliament of the United nations I would probably say "I had a/an" or "I would have" clearly. "I'd a" would only be used in informal writing and for reported speech and in very informal contexts such as chat or messaging. In academic writing, just as abbreviations such as "don't" aren't used, nor is "I'd".

Everybody says it whether they realize it or not, but nobody writes it. Only conventional English contractions (e.g. I'm, you've, I've, etc.) are usually written. If you ever see it actually written it's in a quote to clarify the speaker's accent or casualness, but that would be very rare.

I wouldn't even say that? I guess my equivalent is "i'd of" which is the way I'd shorten have. But I wouldn't write it down. Seems americanised to me.

It's also more common in the Southern US. Something that I'd read in a country accent if I saw in a book.

This is something you hear in casual speech but you never see it written. The only time it would be written is if you were trying to intentionally convey someone's dialect/idiolect.

I think you're only going to see that in a video game/movie subtitle, like you saw. And it's just to convey how that person is speaking, which is very informally with a particular dialect.

It’s something that should look like “I’d’ve” in written English but would sound like you wrote it. Thing is, no one actually writes like that with multiple contractions in one word. It would likely look like “I’d have” in any written work (or “I would have”)

I’d have waited … I’d’ve waited.

As other people have said, this isn't a formal spelling. It's just meant to convey the character's accent/dialect. I'd also add that I probably wouldn't even write it this way in informal contexts either, like when texting. When texting, I'd likely shorten "I would have" to "I'd have" or "I woulda." If I typed "I'da," people would probably understand what I meant, but think that I was trying to make a joke by impersonating an exaggerated accent. As a reference, I have a very slight Texan accent, but it's overall a pretty standard American one.

So this seems like a multi layer contraction. "I would have" -> "I would've" -> "I woulda" -> "I'da" It's not correct english, and would be considered more like slang. It's likely part of a regional dialect. A more formal contraction would be "I would've" or even the full "I would have"

I'm guessing it's more common here in Australia? Since we often say "woulda" "coulda" "shoulda" I can definitely imagine myself or the people around me saying something like "I'da done things differently if I coulda, but I couldn't"

in writing? its rare, alot of people SAY some kind of i'd've tho

It's actually i'd've /s

Not sure I've ever seen that written down before tbh Though saying it out loud you have a point lol. Once to annoy my friend I wrote I'd've but it's not something I do often, but I definitely say it!

Let's put it this way: Could you write it that way? Yes. Have I ever in my entire life seen it written that way until now? No.

it's just 'I would've' but shortened in speech

I’d’ve is the best you could do. It’s incorrect as you wrote it, technically correct as I wrote it here, but strange either way.,

Very commonly said phrase where I'm from, but you definitely don't write it out

i'd've

I'da sounds pretty ignorant, and looks equally ignorant in text. You can say "I'd've" to shorten "I would have," or you could say "I would've," but in writing, I've never seen I'd've, or I'da. You were right to question a point of language or grammar that you saw in a video game.

If it's dialogue from a character, verbal, written, texted etc sure. As formal, descriptive wording, no. I'd it's just slang for I would have or should have.

doesn't get written out much but I say it pretty often. Technically it's I'ld've if we're spelling it "correctly". I say it both that full way and just "I'da". I think I say it the full way more though

Not that way. I've seen something written as, I'd've, but this is an older format. The full phrase is, 'I would have'. You you can hear it spoken, people slur their words based on regional accent, or the speed at which they are talking, so you can hear spoken variations that don't have a written equivalent.

Ida is a girl’s name. :) I have never seen I’da. People do say *I’da*

It’s very casual. It means “I would have”

Spoken? All the time. Written down? Almost never

I’m a native speaker and I’ve never seen it written out. I think it also depends on your dialect/accent. Where I’m from, people pronounce it more like “I’d’ve” (which I’ve also never seen written out). I would say that, generally speaking, it’s definitely something that is said but not written.

Like other comments, you wouldn’t see it written unless trying to convey a certain accent, I’m from NY and use it a bit, but I also used a lot of usual “rural” types of vocabulary if that makes sense.

It seems like it’s more of a characterisation choice for the character like some others in the thread has said. I’m Australian so we have a habit of merging words like that but we’d never actually write it out that way

As a Londoner, I hear “I’da” spoken frequently. However, I’ve never seen it written before. I think a lot of people aren’t even consciously aware that they use it in speech. It’s common to see ‘I’d’ve’, ‘I’d have’, or even ‘I’d of’ written instead. As others have mentioned, you’re more likely to see this written in a novel, where a character’s dialect can make them more distinguishable from other characters. For example, as an indication of the character’s social class.

i’d is more common rn i think but ive totally heard ida

That's how I often pronounce "I'd've" out loud, but I'd never write it that way, even casually. I'd write "I'd have."

Never seen it written and I don’t really use it personally. I would more likely use “I’d have” rather than “Id’a have” but I’ve heard it.

I’m pretty sure it would be I’d’ve as a contraction of I would have, and I’da is more of how its spoken so could be written that way if in dialogue of a character that speaks like that.

You don't write it that way. It's always "I'd've" even if it's pronounced "I'da" by most people.

I haven’t heard this much in conversations as it is usually “I’d’ve” or “ I would’ve”, but it can still be easily understood in speech. However, I would not write it because it is very informal.

I wouldn’t write it that way but in the south it’s pretty common to say.

It’s not common to write but it’s fairly common to say. It’s an accurate way to depict natural speech of a specific dialect.

It's an informal spoken phrase and even then a dialectical one. You wouldn't really write it down anywhere except subtitles.

You don't write it. But I guess I'd've is pronounced Ida

I assume long form of this is "I would have" (shortened first to "I would've" which is often pronounced "wood'a")? Yeah, this isn't proper. It would be written "I'd've" if anything.

I would only expect "I'da" to be written in a story ( or maybe a comic book" where the author wants to show how that character speaks. Some people might also use it when texting or using chat - basically the most informal forms of written communication. It is an amalgamation of "I would have." "I'd have..." would be more acceptable in regular writing of you want to use a contraction. It is similar to other spoken shortened words like "I'mma" (I'm gonna... I'm going to).. people say it but they don't write it.

British English here. Never in formal writing, never in casual writing or speech. I'd have or I would've in casual writing. I think speech wise it would end up being I'd've in my NE England accent/dialect

In New York and probably most of the tristate it's more common to say "I woulda", but as others have said, that's spoken and not usually written outside of certain context.

You may see it written down in dialogue, especially if the author is trying to convey a more conversational/ casual style of speaking, but you will *hear* it all the time.

It's an improper double contraction of "I would have" into "I woulda" into "I'da"

It definitely works better spoken rather than written, but I understood the sentence you gave us. “You know, I’d have waited, but…” Me personally, I’m more of an “I’d’ve” guy but this feels like splitting hairs at this point

In written communication, like a text, you probably would write "I would have" or "I would've", since those are the actual words (or contraction of words) of what you are saying. "I'da" is a more phonetic spelling, which you would use if you were trying to convey how someone was speaking in a particular accent.

I think that for most people, it's not something you do on purpose. If you say "I would have" often enough, you will eventually shorten it sometimes. Mostly in speaking, I think.

Its more of a regional slang type of word. Properly, it should be "I'd have/ I would have" ... Its a slang that has developed to shorten it. Much more common in conversation, not so common in writing

Depends on the person. I regularly type woulda, kinda, and I'mma when I'm texting. "I'da" isn't in my rotation, but I could easily imagine someone using it. It's far more common in conversations, but most people don't think to write it out.

correct this would be kind of odd to text someone unless you’re from certain parts of the country maybe, but this is common to say while speaking. It’s basically a further shortened version of “i woulda”, which you can use in text

Feels pretty common to hear something like that in the southern US, but I’ve rarely seen it typed out. Maybe more common would be “I’d’ve waited” but I’m not sure there are rules surrounding these informal long contractions. Personal favorite is “y’all’d’ve” which I use it text sometimes because I find it funny.

You'll hear it more in the South, critiquing someone's work, "I'da done thus & so" with the retort, "Well Ida didn't do it, did she?"

It's definitely something you say rather than write, but I wouldn't bat an eye if a friend texted me that. There's a lot of contractions that mean the same thing as I'da, you have I'da, I'dve, I would've, and I woulda (though, this one isn't a contraction). Any of these are perfectly fine to say in speech, but a little rare to find written, with the only exception probably being I would've. Hope this helps!

It would never be written like that, maybe as “I’d’ve” since it’s short for “I would have”