[Instructors: Download PDFs of the exercise and its key at the bottom of this post.]
A contraction is a word that combines two words in a shortened form, usually with an apostrophe taking the place of a letter or letters. Contractions help make prose less formal and more conversational. However, business communicators sometimes wonder when exactly to use a contraction.
In general, contractions should not be used in the following cases:
- in formal writing such as academic papers and legal documents
- when the apostrophe indicates the possessive and could be mistaken for a contraction (the department’s copier)
- when the contraction is uncommon (it’d for it would or who’re for who are)
- when the contraction requires multiple apostrophes (she’d’ve for she would have)
In business writing the question of using a contraction depends on the audience and purpose of the communication. For example, when writing important instructions, writers would not use contractions because a formal tone is a signal to readers to consider the content important. On the other hand, using words such as cannot and would not instead of can’t and won’t would sound unnatural in a text message between colleagues.
Your task. In the sentences below, test your knowledge of contractions. Circle the correct choice of a contraction or two separate words and write down the reason that prompted you to make that choice.
- Don’t/Do not use the toaster near water.
- Hey, Benny, I will/I’ll let you know tomorrow when I can drop off the new laptop.
- Chen should not have/shouldn’t’ve criticized Maggie in front of everyone.
- Do not/don’t tamper with the blood specimens before they are picked up.
- The volunteers said they’d/they would hand out water bottles before the movie began.
- You are/you’re invited to join us at Manfield Park for a laid-back barbeque on Labor Day.
- Effective communication would have/would’ve led to enhanced productivity, heightened customer satisfaction, and significant cost savings.
- Although I’m/I am hesitant to be leaving Next.com., working at such an innovative start-up has been a memorable experience.
- After the interview, I am/ I’m even more excited to become a part of FarmToTable.
- Passengers shouldn’t/should not open the door until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.