Tips on Using Contractions in Your Writing

Contractions are used in writing fiction, informal essays and letters. Advertising copy is another area where contractions are best used. There's a time to use contractions in a sentence and a time to edit them out. When determining the correct use of contractions in a sentence, there are a few things to consider and even a test to ensure that the contraction fits.

Type and Tone of the Sentence

Contractions are reserved for informal writing and should not be used in formal writing. These speech devices also do not belong in formal writing online. Many people forget that emails can be considered formal writing depending on the email's content. Resumes, evaluations and cover letters are also places where contractions do not belong.

The tone of the sentence can dictate contraction usage as well. Sentences written to emphasize a point do not use contractions. However, sentences used to convey excitement, surprise, and casual written dialogue can benefit from contraction use. In fact, contractions use in casual dialogue when writing fiction can make the dialogue read more authentic.

Replacement Test

Test the use of contraction in a sentence by reading the sentence aloud with the contraction and then with the two words that create the contraction. The sentence that sounds correct usually is. When separating the contraction, avoid common mistakes such as replacing the words "should of" for "should've" and "your" in place of "you're."

Possession vs. Contraction

Another rule of contraction use is to avoid the mistake of using a contraction where a possessive noun is needed and possessive nouns where contractions are necessary. The most problematic mistake is the use of "it's" or "its." "It's" is a contraction for the words "it is," while "its" is the possessive of the noun "it." Carefully consider the rest of the sentence when proofreading to ensure that you have the necessary contraction or possessive noun.

Other Considerations

When creating contractions, use an apostrophe to symbolize the omitted words. Purdue University's Online Writing Lab describes the apostrophe placement in the place where the omitted letters would normally be. For example, on "don't" (contraction for "do not") the apostrophe is placed where the "o" in "not" would be placed. Another point to remember is the double negative. Placing a negative contraction in a sentence that already has a negative tone does not work. It is still a double negative.

When writing, no matter what your intended audience may be, contractions can be used to enhance your meaning. However, used improperly, they can disrupt your entire message. Carefully consider the use if contractions the next time you decide to shorten a word in a sentence.

"Three Simple Rules Of Using Contractions You Must Know," Tutor Phil.

"Tone, A Matter of Attitude," Capital Community College.