contractions in writing

Meanings

1. 1phraseplural

   Shortened forms of words made by leaving out letters and joining the rest with an apostrophe, such as can't or I'm.

   Grammar: The phrase is plural and refers to a category of shortened forms; use it when talking about style or grammar rules.

   Patterns

   • use contractions in writing
   • avoid contractions in writing
   • contractions in formal writing

   In casual emails, contractions in writing make the tone friendlier.

   Teachers often say that contractions in writing are fine for stories but not for lab reports.

2. 2phraseuncountable

   The practice or style of using shortened word forms in a piece of text.

   Grammar: When it means the general practice, it is uncountable and takes a singular verb: Contractions in writing is common in blogs.

   Patterns

   • contractions in writing is common
   • the use of contractions in writing

   Contractions in writing is more accepted now than it was fifty years ago.

   The editor checked the contractions in writing before publishing the article.

Common combinations

use contractions

You can use contractions like don't and it's in your diary entry.

avoid contractions

Academic writers often avoid contractions to sound more formal.

contractions in formal writing

Contractions in formal writing are usually kept to a minimum.

Synonyms and how they differ

short forms

A more general term that can include abbreviations, while 'contractions' specifically means words shortened with an apostrophe.

Word family

contract verb

To make something shorter or smaller.

contracted adjective

Made shorter, often used for word forms like 'can't'.

Commonly confused: contractions in writing or abbreviation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “contractions in writing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words