Writing question

MC

New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
May 24, 2003
Messages
3,989
Best answers
0
Location
United States, Florida
Alright, I've had this question on my mind for quite some time, unfortunately there's no teacher in sight for whom I could ask, so:

I remember being told that you shouldn't use smaller versions of words (I forgot the exact name).

Example:

Shouldn't = Should not
Can't = Cannot
It's = It is
Wouldn't = Would not

I hope that gives you an idea of what I'm trying to ask. Anyway, I was told that it's not "professional" to write those as I showed and that you should actually spell out both words ("Shouldn't" should be "should not"). So what are the rules for the usage?
 
New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Messages
2,309
Best answers
0
Location
Sunnyvale, CA
Depends. In a formal essay, you shouldn't use contractions and etc.

But in dialouge (where two characters talk to eachother), it would be ok.
 
New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
1,626
Best answers
0
If it's for school, it's generally a good idea not to use contractions.
 
Live free or die by the sword
Retired Forum Staff
✔️ HL Verified
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
7,416
Best answers
0
Location
North East Pennsylvania
Contractions are a valid part of speech, however, in any type of writing you want to avoid their usage unless writing is emulating speech . . . which has already been mentioned as diaolgue.
 

MC

New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
May 24, 2003
Messages
3,989
Best answers
0
Location
United States, Florida
Thanks for the replies. I just wasn't sure since I was told different things about the usage of contractions, but I'm glad that's cleared up now. Thanks a lot for the replies.

Edit

Now that I think of it, would typing in these forums (or any forum for that matter) be formal or more of the lines of emulating dialogue?
 
New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
515
Best answers
0
Formal = business letters/dialogue/communication.. A forum on the net isn't formal :)

Just don't use "u", "r", "cuz", "wiff", etcetcetc..
 

MC

New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
May 24, 2003
Messages
3,989
Best answers
0
Location
United States, Florida
Alright; I usually don't substitue "you" for "u" since there's no point and there's no time to be saved while typing a reply/making a new thread.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I really appreciate it. If anyone wants to add on, feel free to do so.
 
Lost in space
Banned
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
Dec 21, 2003
Messages
3,608
Best answers
0
Kimfu said:
Formal = business letters/dialogue/communication.. A forum on the net isn't formal :)

Just don't use "u", "r", "cuz", "wiff", etcetcetc..
But when you think of it, the word "forum" sought of comes from "formal" =P.

I really don't like seeing people use internet slang a lot, I don't mind it on a im program, but even then in most cases it becomes a bit of an annoyance. It annoys me when people on this forum too do it, & I usually only end up reading half of their post & read through it quickly to get to what they are sayying, I'll also do the thing if they post with some sought of attitude that I might find annoyying through out the context of their post.

I myself am not the brightest speeler, however if for any given reason I find it impossible to spell something I then try to come up with a different set of words to use.
 
New Member
💻 Oldtimer
Joined
Mar 6, 2003
Messages
3,999
Best answers
0
Location
New York
There's also times it sounds weird NOT to use it.

Should not you be doing something?
-OR-
Shouldn't you be doing something?

Both are technically correct, but the first one just sounds off...
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom