Using contractions
Do you get confused about using contractions?
Contractions are a type of abbreviation. They are a short form of two words joined together with an apostrophe. Here are some examples:
| Long form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| cannot | can't |
| we will | we'll |
| is not | isn't |
| they have | they've |
| we are | we're |
| he would | he'd |
| would have | would've |
| did not | didn't |
| I am | I'm |
| let us | let's |
Why use contractions?
Contractions reflect how we speak, so when we use them in writing they create a friendly, conversational tone. They also shorten long sentences, which makes them easier for many people to read.
What are the problems with contractions?
Not everyone finds contractions easy to read. People who have a cognitive or intellectual impairment, low literacy, or English as their second language can find it harder to understand contractions than their long forms.
Some organisations and institutions consider contractions to be informal or slang.
When can I use contractions?
In the past, people considered it was wrong to use contractions in any formal writing. However, in recent years, they have become more popular in writing, because of the warm, friendly tone they convey.
Using contractions is a style choice rather than a grammar rule. Your organisation’s style guide is likely to include some advice on when it’s appropriate to use contractions.
Before you decide to use contractions, consider who you are writing for. If your audience includes people who find contractions hard to read, then use long forms instead.
Even if your style guide allows contractions, it’s best to stick to using simple, positive contractions. Avoid using negative contractions (such as ‘didn’t’) and conditional contractions (such as ‘would’ve’), as these are harder to understand.
Take care with its and it’s
It’s easy to confuse these two words.
it’s This is a contraction – a short form of ‘it is’.
its This is a possessive form. It shows that something belongs to ‘it’.
The easiest way to check you’re using the right term is to say the sentence aloud using ‘it is’. If it works, use it’s. If it doesn’t work, use its.
Here are some examples:
It’s busy on the motorway today. [It is busy on the motorway today.]
Even when it’s raining, it’s never a good idea to use an umbrella in Wellington. [Even when it is raining, it is never a good idea to use an umbrella in Wellington.]
The organisation launched its strategy today.
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