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Write It Right Wednesdays

Learn how to master contractions 

I know what you’re thinking. Contractions are easy! However, there are still people who don’t know the difference between “its” and “it’s” so we’re going to review it again as a class. The first part to learning about contractions is to define it, which should help you better understand how to use it properly. A contraction is a shortened version of two words connected by an apostrophe. The keywords in my previous sentence are “two words combined”, meaning the apostrophe is the middle man that connects the two words. Knowing this detail should help you remember that when you write “you’re” you are saying “you are”, for example. Start training your brain to remember that the apostrophe means two words. Let’s first take a look at the most commonly used contractions:

I’m – I am/ Can’t – can not/ We’ve – we have/ Should’ve – should have/ She’ll – she will/ Shouldn’t – should not/ Who’s – who is/ Let’s – let us

They’re – they are/ They’d – they would/ Won’t – will not/ Weren’t – were not/ Wasn’t – was not/ Isn’t – is not/ You’ve – you have/ We’ll – we will

When writing, you have to train your brain to be conscience that the contraction is two words so you’ll use it in the right context. Training your brain muscle to master this takes continuous effort and time. It’s also another reason why proofreading is so important, but we’ll discuss that at a later date. There are a few ways to train yourself to use contractions the right way when writing. First, when trying to figure out if you need a contraction say the two words of the contraction when writing it instead of saying the contraction. If it sounds weird, then you know not to use it. Second, avoid using contractions at the end of a sentence. For example, “It is what it’s.” The contraction is used properly (because “it’s” means “it is”), but the sentence doesn’t make sense when you say the both words out loud in the sentence. Now if we change it to, “It is what it’ is” that sounds better. Third, write in uniform with contractions. Meaning, if you’re going to use contractions, use it throughout the entire writing piece and just certain words. The last part of this lesson class is that sometimes one contraction means two different words. For example, “he’d” means both “he had” and “he would”. So, be sure to write in a way that it’s clear to your audience which one you mean. Using it in a sentence, “Jamie knew that he’d be in trouble once his wife checked the fridge.”. It’s clear in the sentence that “he would” is the contraction I’m using because of the context of the sentence refers to the future and not the past. Plus if you read it out loud, “he had” sounds weird. 

So the next time you write an email or an important report for work, be careful to watch for contractions. Proofread your writing and read the sentences out loud to ensure your work sounds good too. Double checking your writing can help you avoid one of the many mistakes we all make when writing: using a contraction incorrectly. Remember to avoid putting contractions at the end of a sentence, even if it is grammatically correct. I know it sounds weird, and maybe childish, but say both words when reading a contraction. It’s the sure way to know if it’s the right contraction. Finally class, be sure you’re using the contraction in the right context with your sentence. I hope the next time you write you feel more confident about using contractions and can help make the writing world a better place.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]