"Mastering English Contractions: A Guide to Understanding and Using Them Effectively"
- 13 de set. de 2023
- 4 min de leitura
Have you ever seen or heard a word English and thought that it's a combination of two words? I'm sure you have! A contraction is the combination of two words into one word. If you look at the words in bold, you will see what I am talking about!
Contractions are used because they are easier. Contractions are formed two ways:
Noun/ pronoun + auxiliary verb
Auxiliary verb + not
They are combined using an apostrophe
Contractions are often associated with informal or conversational language, but their usage varies depending on the context. Here's a breakdown of how contractions are perceived in different contexts:
Speaking
Contractions can be hard to understand at first because it sounds like one word and the listener might not be aware that it is actually two words. However, the more you listen the more you will understand. Contractions are considered informal so it is important to know when and where to use them.
Informal Speech: Contractions are very common in everyday spoken language. People frequently use contractions in casual conversations with family, friends, and acquaintances. In informal settings, contractions help make speech more fluid and natural.
Formal Speech: In formal spoken contexts, such as formal presentations, speeches, or interviews, speakers may use contractions sparingly or avoid them altogether to maintain a more polished and professional tone. However, this can vary depending on the speaker's style and the specific context.
Writing.
Contractions are commonly used in writing, but their usage depends on the context and the level of formality. Here's how contractions are typically used in different types of writing:
1. Informal Writing:
Contractions are widely used in informal writing, such as personal emails, text messages, social media posts, and casual blog posts. They help convey a conversational and relaxed tone, making the text more approachable and natural.
Example: "I can't believe we're meeting tomorrow!"
2. Formal Writing:
In formal writing, such as academic essays, research papers, business reports, and professional correspondence (e.g., cover letters and formal emails), contractions are generally avoided.
Using contractions in formal writing can make the text appear less formal and may not adhere to the established conventions of academic or professional communication.
3. Creative Writing:
Contractions can be used in creative writing, including novels, short stories, and poetry, to create a specific narrative voice or to reflect the way characters speak.
Authors often use contractions to make dialogue more authentic and capture the nuances of natural speech.
Example: "She couldn't believe her eyes when he walked through the door."
3. Journalistic Writing:
In journalism, contractions are generally avoided in news articles and formal reporting to maintain a neutral and professional tone.
However, feature articles, opinion pieces, and columns may use contractions to achieve a more conversational style.
Example (news reporting): "The President has announced new policies."
Example (feature article): "The President's decision is causing a stir."
5. Technical Writing:
In technical writing, which includes manuals, guides, and scientific reports, contractions are often avoided for clarity and precision.
The goal in technical writing is to convey information in a straightforward and unambiguous manner.
Example: "The experiment did not yield the expected results."
In summary, while contractions are suitable for informal writing and can be used in creative writing and some journalistic contexts, they are generally discouraged in formal, academic, and technical writing. However, the use of contractions ultimately depends on the style guide or specific guidelines of the publication or institution you are writing for, so it's essential to follow any established conventions or requirements for your writing.
Here is a list of contractions
I am= I’m
I have= I’ve
I will= I’ll
I had= I’d
I would= I’d
I’d can have two meanings.
You are= You’re
You have= You’ve
You will= You’ll
You had= You’d
You would= You’d
You’d can have two meanings
He is= He’s
He will= He’ll
He had= He’d
He would= He’d
He’d can have two meanings.
She is= She’s
She will= She’ll
She had= She’d
She would= She’d
She’d can have two meanings
It is= It’s
It has= It’s
It’s can have two meanings
We are= We’re
We’ve= We have
We will= We will
We had= We’d
We would= We’d
We’d has two meanings
They are= They’re
They have= They’ve
They will= They’ll
They had= They’d
They would= They’d
They’d has two meanings
There is= There’s
There has= There’s
There’s can have two meanings
There will= There’ll
There had= There’d
There would= There’d
There’d can have two meanings
Are not= aren’t
Cannot= Can’t
Could not= Couldn’t
Did not= Didn’t
Does not= Doesn’t
Do not= Don’t
Had not= hadn’t
Has not= Hasn’t
Have not= Haven’t
Is not= Isn’t
Should not= Shouldn’t
Was not= Wasn’t
Were not= Weren’t
Will not= Won’t
Would not= Wouldn’t
The negative from in the present continuous can have two forms:
I am not
I’m not
You are not
You’re not
You aren’t
He is not
He’s not
He isn’t
She is not
She’s not
She isn’t
It is not
It’s not
It isn’t
We are not
We’re not
We aren’t
They are not
They’re not
They aren’t
Summary
"Contractions in English, where two words join as one with an apostrophe, play a pivotal role in language. Understanding when and where to use them is essential. In spoken language, contractions are prevalent, offering a natural flow to conversation. Yet, they're often considered informal, demanding awareness of the right context.
In writing, contractions are versatile. Informal writing, like emails and texts, welcomes them for a conversational tone. However, formal contexts, such as academic papers and professional documents, often prefer their absence for maintaining a polished, serious tone.
Creative writers use contractions to infuse authenticity into dialogue. In journalism, contractions find their place in feature articles and opinion pieces, adding a conversational touch. Technical writing, on the other hand, avoids them for the sake of precision.
This article also includes an extensive list of common contractions for reference. Ultimately, the judicious use of contractions depends on the setting, making them a fascinating aspect of English language and communication."
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