Can I Use Contractions in My Writing?
If you’re wondering about how grammatically correct contractions are, Brian A. Klems has the answer.
Q: I know that grammatically we shouldn’t use contractions at all unless it’s in speech, but I see that many nonfiction bestselling authors use them. What are the current guidelines for their use?—Henry
A: Contractions aren’t wrong—they’re just less formal than the expanded forms. Using them depends on your audience. They’re far more acceptable today than they were when your grandpa was just a dad, and there’s nothing wrong with contractions in the right context. And sometimes there can be a good deal wrong without them. As you can probably see, Writer’s Digest uses them quite frequently. Our style is to employ conjunctions when they flow naturally and make the sentence smoother.
If you’re writing a college term paper or a professional study, however, you should probably avoid them. As for novels, short stories, and other forms of writing where your own style is required, it’s up to you whether you can, cannot, or can’t use them.
Brian A. Klems is the former Senior Online Editor of Writer’s Digest, and author of Oh Boy, You’re Having a Girl (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster). Follow him on Twitter @BrianKlems.
