contractions in essay writing

Contractions in Writing [Easy Guide + Templates & Examples]

Contractions are everywhere in English—they’re those handy little shortcuts like “don’t” for “do not” or “you’re” for “you are.”

They make language sound more natural and approachable, which is why we see them often in casual writing, dialogue, and even some professional settings. This guide covers everything you need to know about contractions: the types, when to use (or skip) them, and tons of examples to make them second nature in your writing.

What Are Contractions in Writing? (Fully Explained)

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Contractions are the quick shortcuts that turn stiff phrases into friendly, conversational ones.

By removing certain letters and replacing them with an apostrophe, contractions turn formal language into something much more approachable. For example, instead of saying “do not,” we often use “don’t.”

This small tweak can completely change the tone of your writing.

Why are contractions important?

They create a sense of ease and familiarity between the writer and reader. Imagine reading something with very formal language—it can feel stiff, almost like a lecture.

But when contractions are used, it’s like the writer is speaking directly to you, more like a friendly chat. This is super useful in blogs, stories, or any writing where you want a natural tone. Contractions also make sentences shorter and more efficient. Instead of using extra words, contractions help keep things moving, which is great for readability.

Readers tend to skim, and contractions let you convey meaning without slowing things down.

However, contractions aren’t always the best fit.

In formal writing, like research papers, legal documents, or professional reports, it’s usually better to avoid them. This helps keep the tone polished and serious.

They’re like a shortcut for making your writing feel lively, friendly, and easy to follow.

For a video introduction geared for kids, check this out:

Types of Contractions in Writing

Not all contractions are created equal.

Different types of contractions help you hit just the right tone, whether you’re being casual, conversational, or adding some local flavor. Here’s a look at the various types of contractions you can use.

Pronoun + Verb Contractions

Pronoun + verb contractions combine pronouns with verbs for a more casual, direct sentence structure. They’re common in informal writing and perfect for making sentences easy to read.

• I’m for “I am”
• They’re for “They are”
• You’ve for “You have”

Noun + Verb Contractions

Noun + verb contractions pair nouns with verbs, which is less common but useful in casual settings or dialogue. They add simplicity without losing meaning.

• The dog’s for “The dog is”
• Mom’ll for “Mom will”
• John’s for “John is”

Negative Contractions

Negative contractions are created by combining verbs with “not.” They help create a casual tone and make sentences sound straightforward.

• Isn’t for “Is not”
• Didn’t for “Did not”
• Can’t for “Cannot”

Modal Verb + Have Contractions

These contractions combine modal verbs with “have” to make sentences sound more casual and fluid, especially when talking about past possibilities.

• Should’ve for “Should have”
• Could’ve for “Could have”
• Might’ve for “Might have”

Double Contractions

Double contractions combine two contractions into one. They’re rare but useful for creating a realistic, spoken tone in dialogue or casual writing.

• I’d’ve for “I would have”
• They’d’ve for “They would have”
• You’ll’ve for “You will have”

Regional or Dialect Contractions

Regional contractions, common in dialects or specific speech patterns, add character and personality to writing.

• Y’all for “You all”
• Ain’t for “Is not / Are not”
• Weren’t for “Were not”

Informal Sound-Based Contractions

These contractions, like “gonna” or “wanna,” mimic spoken language and add a relaxed tone to the text. They’re best used sparingly to avoid sounding too casual.

• Gonna for “Going to”
• Wanna for “Want to”
• Outta for “Out of”

How to Use Contractions Correctly in Writing

Using contractions is all about tone and context.

Knowing when to use them helps your writing sound natural without losing professionalism. Let’s dig deeper into how to use contractions effectively, and when to avoid them for maximum impact.

Use Contractions for Conversational Tone

If you want a friendly, conversational vibe, contractions are a must.

They keep your tone relaxed, making your content feel more relatable and engaging. This is especially true for blog posts, social media, marketing materials, or any context where you want to connect directly with your audience.

Think about the difference in tone between these examples:

• Without Contraction: “You are going to love this recipe!”
• With Contraction: “You’re going to love this recipe!”

The second version sounds more like a friend talking to you, whereas the first is more rigid. This makes contractions ideal for creating a welcoming and approachable voice in your writing.

When to Use Contractions in Professional Writing

Contractions can work in professional writing, but it’s all about choosing the right moment.

For more informal professional contexts, such as friendly emails, blog posts, or newsletters, contractions are perfectly acceptable. They make the content more personable, which can be an asset when trying to build a connection or convey warmth.

For example:

• Formal Tone: “I am writing to inform you of our new policy.”
• Friendly Tone: “I’m writing to let you know about our new policy.”

The first version is suitable for a serious memo or an official letter, whereas the second works better when you want to sound personable while still conveying professionalism—like in an internal email or customer newsletter.

Contractions are also useful in professional settings like marketing, where the goal is to make the audience feel comfortable.

In contrast, in a legal document, technical manual, or executive summary, it’s often best to avoid contractions to maintain clarity and seriousness.

Avoid Contractions in Formal or Academic Writing

In formal or academic contexts, contractions can make your writing sound casual or even careless.

Academic writing generally requires a more formal tone to convey authority and respect for the subject.

Consider these examples:

• Formal Statement: “We cannot predict the outcome based on the available data.”
• Informal Statement: “We can’t predict the outcome based on the available data.”

In an academic paper or a formal report, the full form “cannot” is more appropriate because it maintains a professional and authoritative tone. Contractions, like “can’t,” can make the text feel informal, which isn’t suitable for scholarly audiences or in-depth analysis.

Another example:

• Formal: “There is no indication that the treatment will be effective.”
• Informal: “There’s no indication that the treatment will be effective.”

Using the contracted form here takes away some of the formal impact, making it less suitable for a setting that requires precision and formality.

Contractions in Dialogue and Creative Writing

When it comes to creative writing, especially in dialogue, contractions are almost a necessity.

People rarely speak in fully uncontracted language, and forcing them to do so can make dialogue sound unnatural or stiff.

• Character Dialogue (Realistic): “I didn’t see anything suspicious.”
• Character Dialogue (Unnatural): “I did not see anything suspicious.”

The second version might be appropriate if the character is meant to sound robotic or highly formal.

However, for most situations, contractions make dialogue flow more smoothly and reflect how people actually speak.

This is crucial for character development, as natural-sounding dialogue helps readers connect with the characters and believe in their interactions.

Mixing Contractions for Effect

You can also use contractions strategically to convey different emotions or highlight contrasts. For instance, using full forms can add emphasis, formality, or create a dramatic moment, while contractions can soften the tone.

• Emphatic Tone: “I will not tolerate this behavior!”
• Casual Tone: “I won’t tolerate this behavior.”

The full “will not” adds weight and a sense of finality, making it sound more authoritative or strict, while “won’t” is more conversational. Knowing when to use contractions and when to avoid them allows you to control the tone and impact of your writing.

Common Contraction You’ll Encounter

Let’s look at some common contractions and how to use them.

• It’s vs. It is: “It’s raining today.” (casual conversation) vs. “It is crucial to understand this point.” (formal analysis)
• I’ve vs. I have: “I’ve got something to tell you.” (personal communication) vs. “I have reviewed the report.” (formal communication)
• They’re vs. They are: “They’re planning a surprise party.” (informal dialogue) vs. “They are considering a strategic partnership.” (formal writing)

Using contractions correctly often comes down to understanding your audience and the tone you wish to convey.

In casual writing, they’re fantastic for maintaining a natural flow, while in formal writing, they should be used sparingly or avoided altogether.

Contractions for Clarity and Brevity

Contractions aren’t just about tone—they also help with clarity and brevity.

They make sentences shorter and more to the point, which is helpful for readability. In writing meant for wide audiences—especially online—brevity can make a significant difference in keeping readers engaged.

• Without Contractions: “You are going to have a great time because you are not expected to do anything but relax.”
• With Contractions: “You’re going to have a great time because you’re not expected to do anything but relax.”

The contracted version is easier on the eyes and helps maintain the reader’s attention by reducing unnecessary length.

When to Use Contractions (and When to Avoid Them)

Knowing when to use or avoid contractions is important for clarity and tone.

Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right choice.

When to Use Contractions

• For a Casual, Friendly Tone: Blogs, emails, social media.
• To Build Relatability: They make your tone sound natural.
• To Save Space: Great for texts or short posts.
• In Dialogue: Contractions make speech sound real.

When to Avoid Contractions

• In Formal Writing: Think academic, legal, or official documents.
• To Avoid Confusion: Stick with full forms for clarity.
• For Mixed Audiences: If unsure of the formality level, avoid them.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re unsure when to use contractions, a good rule of thumb is to read your text out loud.

If it sounds overly stiff, consider adding contractions to make it flow better. If it sounds too informal for the audience or purpose, try replacing contractions with the full forms.

Understanding contractions and how to use them effectively will help you adjust your writing to suit different needs.

100 Examples of Contractions in Sentences

Here are 100 examples to show how contractions make sentences sound more relaxed:

• I’m going to the store.
• You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.
• She’s not coming to the party.
• They’re planning a surprise for you.
• We’re on the same team.
• He’s got a point there.
• It’s a wonderful day outside.
• Don’t worry about it.
• I can’t believe it’s already November.
• Isn’t she lovely?
• You shouldn’t do that.
• He didn’t tell me about it.
• We haven’t decided yet.
• They won’t give up easily.
• I’ll see you tomorrow.
• We’d better hurry up.
• She’d love to come along.
• You’ll need to check the details.
• I’ve got something for you.
• They’ve been working hard.
• Who’s going to lead the meeting?
• There’s no time like the present.
• We’re not sure about it.
• You’re going to enjoy this.
• It’ll be a day to remember.
• I couldn’t agree more.
• We wouldn’t miss it for the world.
• They’ve been here before.
• I’d like to introduce myself.
• He’ll get there eventually.
• There’ll be consequences if you don’t.
• She’s always there to help.
• What’s the plan?
• They’re meeting us later.
• It doesn’t matter anymore.
• I shouldn’t have said that.
• She wasn’t aware of it.
• He couldn’t find his keys.
• I’d’ve done it differently.
• We’ll see how it goes.
• They’ll arrive by noon.
• I’m sure you’ll succeed.
• She’ll be so happy to see you.
• You’ve got a bright future.
• They’d love to help.
• We’d’ve joined if we knew.
• He’s taken care of everything.
• Isn’t it obvious?
• I can’t thank you enough.
• We’ll meet again soon.
• They’re not ready yet.
• You’re amazing at this.
• I’ve never felt better.
• He’s waiting for you outside.
• They’d rather stay home.
• We’ll finish by noon.
• You shouldn’t worry too much.
• She’ll be here shortly.
• I’d suggest we start soon.
• I’ll help you find it.
• Don’t be so hard on yourself.
• It’ll work out eventually.
• They’ve got this under control.
• We’d be happy to assist.
• I couldn’t believe my eyes.
• They’d’ve arrived sooner.
• I’m not convinced.
• She’d forgotten about it.
• You’ll get there.
• He’ll call you later.
• There’s a problem here.
• We’ll manage somehow.
• She’s never been happier.
• He’ll find a way.
• I’m totally with you.
• You’ve been wonderful.
• They’re so close now.
• I’d never lie to you.
• He’s seen this before.
• We’re practically there.
• You’re more than welcome.
• I’m sorry for the delay.
• Don’t worry about me.
• They’ll catch up soon.
• He’s got it all figured out.
• I can’t remember where I put it.
• She’s already gone home.
• You’re making a great impression.
• It shouldn’t take long.
• I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
• They’ll join us for dinner.
• I might’ve known better.
• You’re going to love this book.
• She’d already seen the movie.
• They’re just around the corner.
• I shouldn’t have eaten that.
• It’s not what you think.
• We’re running out of time.
• You’ll thank me later.

Final Thoughts : Contractions in Writing

Now you’re ready to use contractions with confidence—whether it’s for a blog, email, or novel dialogue, they’ll help you sound approachable and authentic.

For more writing guides, check out some of my other blog posts below.

Read This Next

• What Is a Stance in Writing? [Ultimate Guide + Examples]
• Master the 11 Types of Writing (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• Slash: Ultimate Punctuation Guide [+ 120 Examples]
• Writing Fluency: Ultimate Guide for Beginners (+ Examples)
• What Is a Claim in Writing? [Explained + 30 Examples]  

Contractions in Writing: When To Use and When To Avoid These Conversational Words

by Joe Bunting | 55 comments

If you've ever written an essay or research paper, you've probably been told not to use contractions. However, what about contractions in writing? When you're writing a book, can you use them? Does this differ in academic writing and scholarly writing?

Contractions are a type of informal writing, and yet, they sound far more natural in conversations or narrative driving a fiction book.

But first, what are contractions? Is there a contractions list?

Knowing how to use contractions is an important grammar rule. And when you know how to use them properly—and when to ignore them—you'll probably write a better story.

What Are Contractions? Contractions Definition

A contraction is the shortened form of a word. It combines two words—almost always a noun with a verb—linked with an apostrophe into one, shortened word.

Examples of contractions include it's, wasn't, haven't, and hundreds more (see our contractions list below ).

We use contractions every day, usually without noticing them. Why? Because contractions are simple, easier to pronounce, and part of our vernacular.

However, if you think contractions are a modern invention, proof that the English language is going to the dogs, you couldn't be more wrong.

A Brief History of Contractions

Contractions have been around for a very long time—in English, as far back as the creation of the language itself, when the Angles and Saxons invaded the British Isles and mixed the local Celtic dialects with their Germanic languages (the Germans love contractions and compound words ).

Since then, the list of contractions continued to expand, usually brought by invaders or imported during cultural movements. For a full history of contractions, read this excellent article .

Should Contractions Be Used in Writing?

You might think contractions can't be used in the canons of literature, but this conversational approach appears in literary masterpieces, from Beowulf to Moby Dick to Great Expectations to Ulysses  to modern bestsellers and more (see examples below ).

Even the Chicago Manual of Style recommends the use of contractions in writing, saying, “Most types of writing benefit from the use of contractions” ( 5.103 ).

Most English teachers say contractions should never be used in writing, at least not in formal writing (see here , here , and here ).

However, the reality is that contractions have been used in English writing for over 1,400 years. And yes, they're even used in scholarly articles ( it's about 2,750,000 times, can't about 3,290,000 times, don't about 4,270,000 times).

What are some of the most common contractions? I'm glad you asked:

Top 50 Contractions List

Unsure about which contractions you're using or should be using or what they mean? To help your narrative carry a conversational tone, you can use the list of commonly used contractions below, complete with the full phrase, and an example sentence.

3 Word Contractions List

The following three-word-contractions aren't as common (at least in writing), but they are  awesome:

• He'd've = He would have
• They'd've = They would have
• You'd've = You would have
• We'd've = We would have
• I'd've = I would have
• She'd've = She would have
• Might not have = Mightn't've
• Should not have = Shouldn't've

While experts often discourage the use of contractions in formal communication, you'll probably find contractions of verb phrases used in business or casual conversations—or scenes like these in books—since contractions make for an easier, more casual tone.

Sentences like these sound more natural, and therefore more personal. Like everyday speech.

Let's look at some examples of contractions in literature.

Examples of Contractions Used in Classic Literature

Contractions can be frequently found in literature, both modern and classic.

Here's a list of contractions we found in the literary canon.

Please note that while some say contractions should only be used in dialogue, these examples of contractions were found both in dialogue and  normal prose.

From Herman Melville's Moby Dick,  Chapter Three:

It's the Black Sea in a midnight gale.— It's the unnatural combat of the four primal elements.— It's a blasted heath.— It's a Hyperborean winter scene.— It's the breaking-up of the icebound stream of Time.

From the fourth paragraph of Great Expectations  by Charles Dickens:

I earnestly expressed my hope that he wouldn't , and held tighter to the tombstone on which he had put me; partly, to keep myself upon it; partly, to keep myself from crying.

From Benjamin Franklin's memoir, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin :

He reply'd ,* that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake, I should not miss of a reward. And I returned, “ Don't let me be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake.”

From The Picture of Dorian Gray  by Oscar Wilde:

It's absurd to talk of the ignorance of youth.

Ulysses by James Joyce:

Twelve. I'm thirteen. No. The chap in the macintosh is thirteen. Death's number. Where the deuce did he pop out of? He wasn't in the chapel, that I'll swear. Silly superstition that about thirteen.

*Anyone know what this is a contraction of, if it is a contraction at all? I found this by chance and am not familiar with it.

Examples of Contractions in Contemporary Literature

Contemporary literature all but throws out the so-called “rule” not to use contractions in writing. Here are several examples of the way many bestselling and prize-winning authors use contractions.

The first two sentences of Neil Gaiman's American Gods :

Shadow had done three years in prison. He was big enough, and looked don’t -[mess]-with-me enough that his biggest problem was killing time.

From the first chapter of The Name of the Wind  by Patrick Rothfuss:

They’d been coming to the Waystone every Felling night for months and Kote had never interjected anything of his own before. Not that you could expect anything else, really. He’d only been in town for a year or so.

From Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham's By Nightfall :

There’s no accounting, in retrospect, for this lapse in the Harris tradition.

From The Dinner  by Herman Koch**:

Unhappiness can’t stand silence—especially not the uneasy silence that settles in when it is all alone.

From the Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, Wonder Boys,  by Michael Chabon:

Over the years I’d surrendered many vices, among them whiskey, cigarettes, and the various non-Newtonian drugs…

**This is an English translation from the original Dutch, but since Dutch is a Germanic language, I think it's safe to assume the original uses contractions .

Should YOU Use Contractions In Your Writing?

If you're like me, you learned not to use contractions in school. In fact, I spoke with a friend who was trained as an elementary school English teacher, and she was taught to actively discourage students from writing with contractions.

Personally, I think the no contractions rule is outdated and actually ignorant of the historical foundations of the English language (again, contractions were in Beowulf , people!).

I will say that if you're writing formal essays in high school, college, and grad school, you should probably avoid contractions, if only so you don't ruin your grade.

However, if you're writing something creative, and especially if you're writing dialogue , you need to be using contractions.

Real people use them, and so should you.

More Contractions Resources

• Cool Chart of Common Contractions
• Exhaustive List of Contractions (Wikipedia)
• Did the Coen Brother's Get Contractions Right in True Grit (Grammar Girl)
• 9 English Contractions You Should NEVER Use

How about you? Do you think contractions should be used in writing? Why or why not?  Let us know in the comments section .

To get a sense of how weird it is to not  use contractions, write a scene using the following prompt without using a single contraction.

Prompt : A couple is on their first date at a trendy restaurant. One is allergic to shellfish, the other can't stand brussel sprouts.

Write for fifteen minutes . When you’re finished, share your work in the Pro Practice Workshop here . 

Not a member yet? Join us here !

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

55 Comments

He reply’d,— I’m pretty sure that is just how they wrote back then. Back in the day S’s used to look like f’s without the line crossing the middle of it. So who knows. English is weird. <3

‘Tis indeed! Thanks Kevin.

Yes, Joe. By your definition of contractions (a combination of two words) this is not one. It is, however, a contraction in the sense of the apostrophe serving in place of dropped letters. Spelling in Franklin’s time was still in flux; this is the word we would now spell as “replied.”

I’ve always loved contractions. It makes your writing look more human, not too formal for regular people. I use them all the time in my novel, especially in dialogue (It sounds so weird without them!) But what about in articles and blog posts? Do contractions belong there, or should that be more formal? “Whatsoever ye do, do unto the glory of God”, Reagan Colbert

I think they absolutely belong, Reagan. As you can see, I use them frequently in my posts. I also use them when writing for newspapers and magazines. The only time I would consider avoiding them is if I had to write a scholarly paper or went back in time to write an essay for school (and even then, I’d probably still use them for the former).

That’s a relief! I’ve used them in my articles (I think I even used them in the guest post I sent in!) I’m glad it’s alright! Thanks, Joe!

I use them in dialogue all the time, but it can get confusing in articles and blog posts. I guess clarity is the rule.

When contractions aren’t used, writing sounds stiff and unnatural. It’s a pet peeve of mine. People, please use contractions!

Preach, Michelle!

I disagree. If it is written well, I do not notice if there are or aren’t contractions. I know every editor I have ever worked with has removed them.

It’s great that you found Boz, a.k.a. Charles Dickens using contractions, Joe. He was paid by the word. Great resources here!

I thought of that, too, Lee! I figured he would have avoided them to make a little more $.

It is possible that a modern printer added the contractions and they are not what Dicken’s actually wrote. You would need to read a first edition to see if that was how it was originally printed and an actual manuscript to see if it is what Dicken’s wrote. Never assume.

I don’t see as using contractions is any better or worse than not using contractions. And it’s been long enough since I was in a high school English or grammar class that I don’t honestly remember what the rules were!

I find myself writing without contractions in first drafts of almost everything (blog posts, journals, novels). Sometimes I convert to contractions during the editing phase and sometimes I don’t. It depends entirely on the purpose for the post or article or the person who is telling the story if it’s a novel. Some of my characters are very formal and would never think of using a contraction!

I think that’s great, Carrie. It all depends on the character and you’re own voice! I think it’s fascinating that you write completely without them in first drafts, though. Impressive!

I suppose that is my natural writing voice. I do hear complete words (not contractions) when I’m writing. Usually there’s emphasis on one or the other in my mind. “That IS” in the sentence above, for example.

Besides, I’m old enough to find comfort in non-contractions, odd though that may sound.

I write without them except in dialogue.

Thank you! Yes, I used them all through my book even though Word 2010 and 2013 didn’t like them at all. I first only used them in quotes. They didn’t care for those either, so I began using them as I would talk naturally. Others liked it and I continued the use. I was taught in both high school and college not to use them. However, in doing research for my dissertation, there were contractions. I only used them in quotes then.

Thanks for this article. Yep, you made my day.

Very interesting that you found contractions in scholarly research! Isn’t that interesting that they say don’t use them in formal, APA writing and yet they’re clearly used by the pros.

I asked for student beta readers for my first book. I had used no contractions except in dialogue. My students all said it sounded like a teacher wrote it, stiff. contractions are goo.

Contractions are good indeed! Thank you Sandra!

My thought on contractions is, we use them in everyday speech, why should we not use them in everyday writing? That said, I also feel that if we are using formal writing, such as official correspondence, legal documents and the like, then perhaps contractions should be avoided. In dissertations or other submissions for grades, one should follow the standards of whatever form (APA, etc.) required by the school, and in addition it might be best to cater (pander?) to the taste of the particular professor who will be doing the grading. As for my own writing (a series of SciFi novels), it always depends on the particular character. My main character, Ari, is a professor of ancient languages who grew up in rural Florida, so her usage depends on whether her speech is in a more or less formal setting. My aliens (also human, but transported to another planet millennia ago) in the first novel tend to be of the upper class, and so their speech is a little more educated and formal. Thus, I rarely use contractions for them, as that automatically sets them somewhat apart and points up the fact that they are not from the same background and culture as my MCs. My second MC, Danny, grew up on the streets in Brooklyn, so his speech patterns differ wildly from Ari’s; much less formal, and full of contractions and street slang. He was reasonably well educated before being out on the streets, though, and in later books he makes the effort to use correct English, although under stress he tends to revert to street-speak. So it all depends on the character, and on the situation as well.

I definitely agree. You have to match your use of contractions to your own voice and the voice of your characters. Thanks for the great discussion!

Good article, Joe! I love contractions! They make words flow better. I am careful not to over use them, though.

That’s great, Katina. Thank you for your comment!

Reply’d is the contracted form of ‘replied’ from Early Modern English (which is sometimes called ‘Elizabethan’ or even ‘Shakespearian English’).

Many contractions are now considered archaic, but to be found in poetry and older literature.

I researched older Englishes whilst I was developing a short comedy-horror story about a travelling troupe of dead writers.

Very interesting David! It seems so strange that they would contract a single word in a way that wasn’t really more efficient (it’s the same number of characters if you count the apostrophe). Why do you think they did it? Anyway thank you for the info!

Also that would be a fun story to research!

That story was a hoot to both research and to write.

There was actually a fad about apostrophes back then.

Although I have never found anything to confirm this idea, I suspect that the Elizabethan rage for contractions was motivated in part by the need to fit in so much information on promotional posters for theatrical performances. This was the time of the major reforms of theatrical performance law in Britain, and the theatre was a boon industry.

Although there is not much of a savings to be found when contracting ‘replied’ (or ‘replyed’, one of many alternative spellings which were acceptable back then) by the time you add the plethora of other word contractions that were available back then, the space savings could be considerable.

Contractions were, at the time, thought to give the impression (pronounced im-preh-shee-on, by the way — many words were also pronounced differently in Early Modern English) of sophi-is-tick-ay-shee-on and wit.

Th’re b’ n’ccountin’ f’r taste, Sirrah!

And let us not forget the Elizabethan belief that “more is more”.

They loved to pump up their posters with florid prose and grandiose word counts.

To an Elizabethan, many contracted words were to be preferred to fewer full-length words.

Contractions made the fashionably high word counts viable.

Ha! So interesting. THANKS David.

It had to do the number of letters a printer owed. The less ruptable printers had lower quality letters and fewer of them so they could only use 1, 2, 3, 4 letter A’s on a single page. In old fashioned type, the ‘ used as much space as a letter unless it was fudged by the printer, which also happened to save space.

There is that as well! I forgot the old typographer’s cheats!

My blog post on this should be out on Wednesday. I don’t go to much in depth on this, but maybe a few articles on it would be fun. I used to a typography nut. I worked as a typesetter for a few years and got hooked.

Consider me part of your waiting fanbase!

May be the same number of characters, but an apostrophe takes up less space than an e… Also, let’s not forget that language itself goes through fads. Sometimes certain things are “in” and then things change…

Joe, back in “the day,” Shakespearian English tended to sound each syllable. For example, we still use the archaic but still trendy spelling “shoppe” for boutique type stores. Back in Chaucer’s day, it would have been a two syllable word, pronounced shop-peh. So Replied would have been a three syllable word, which also points up Franklin’s spelling: it would have been replyed — re-ply-ed. Using the apostrophe removes the third syllable by elision, giving us our modern-day “replied.”

Wow. I did not know that! Fascinating. Thanks Warjna!

It had to do with the number of each letter contained in a typeset. Remember the type was manually set per page and they would sometimes run out of the most frequently used letters like e and I. It wasn’t they could run to the letter store and buy more.

Contractions can be used to identify individuals. Whose talking, Data or Lore? If a contraction is used, it’s Lore because Data did not use contractions. I have also noted some cultures ted to avoid contractions when speaking English.

Great blog post. I love that Beowulf used contractions. Just to avoid any unnecessary confusion: he’d is also he had, and she’d is also she had. I think—depending on one’s writing style—those are probably used more for “had” than “would” in most fiction. But I certainly could be wrong.

Indeed, Paul!

Here is another reason to be very careful when if using contractions in fiction.

I gauge the use of contractions by what tone I want to come through to the reader. Example: I don’t want that. – The tone is casual and relaxed. — I do not want that. — The tone is pointed, maybe even angry depending on the sentences around it.

Totally, Glynis. It affects where the emphasis is placed in that example.

It depends on the piece. And you really have to be consistent too. In some cases–especially nonfiction–it can appear lazy. In fiction it almost always works well.

Give me an example of where it appears lazy. I think that’s the myth we repeat, but I don’t think it plays out in real writing.

I must dig up that eBook I was asked to review. It used so many contractions it was hard to follow some paragraphs.

Good point. I’m sure I can find some examples, but the problem alone wouldn’t be contractions–rather it would be the overall writing. (One of the main issues lack of clarity.) The overuse of contractions would just be a symptom of the bigger problem.

Joe, very good information on contractions and great discussion on this subject. However, I believe you missed an interesting part of the history of contractions. They were employed by printers because they only had so many vowels to set a page so they would replace vowels with apostrophes. The contraction ‘reply’d’ is most likely replied only the typesetter ran out of vowels,that is, if you were looking at an accurate reproduction.

What you do not touch on is the reason for the no contraction rule in schools, it is because students will use them out of laziness to boost word count while doing less writing. Their use in fiction should be a considered choice and not simply because it is the way people talk or just because. I will cover this more in my own blog post.

In the days of Dickens, Franklin, Shakespeare , contractions were a function of the constraints of typesetting and because people have always used them in speech, actors especially. If you look at your examples, the contractions are used to create a tone. If the tone of your work is conversational, use them, but do it sparingly.

My last point and one that causes the most problems are the use of negative contractions like Don’t and Can’t. Using these causes sentences to be written in a negative construction and that can be confusing. Along with that be very careful of the ‘ve contractions because they put you in the past perfect tense that leads down the road to wordiness and awkward paragraphs.

It boils down to this, make it choice not a habit and know what the contraction is that you are using. As with any writing rule, you have decide when it applies and when throw it out the window.

Excellent analysis. I believe the greatest problem with rules in schools is that nobody takes the time to explain why they exist!

I am not certain, but I believe the use of “reply’d” was to simply eliminate writing out the entire word, “replied.” I have noticed in some writings, the use of contractions being implemented to show how we pronounce words, sorta speak; used in dialogue mostly. To make it a bit more informal perhaps?

Very sorry but you are TOTALLY wrong.

Contractions should NEVER be used in WRITING to imitate speech UNLESS it is NARRATIVE used in a novel.

Whilst we use contractions in our speech the use of contractions in writing actually makes it MORE DIFFICULT to read documents concisely.

Using contractions in writing has ALWAYS been regarded as sloppy or simply lazy as is the use of slang or expletives.

The continual use of expletives shows a TOTAL disrespect for other people.

Hence the NO CONTRACTIONS rule is the ultimate in 100% correct usage.

However there are some 147 different forms of the English language globally including very many different dialects.

The USA also uses different spellings (e.g. honour versus honor) and different wording.

e.g. UK English calls a car luggage compartment a boot whereas US English calls the luggage compartment a trunk. Similarly bonnet versus hood.

There are many other examples.

Ian McGregor

What’s even MORE wrong is people using ANNOYING capitalization, thus PATRONIZING the readers and implying their inability to discern emphasis, while at the same time UNDERMINING their own ability to write comprehensible text. Not to mention that it’s typographically WRONG to misuse capitalization for emphasizing.

This is ESPECIALLY true if said person claims superiority by having the ONE AND ONLY 100% correct answer to a literary discussion, yet is UNABLE to use a god damn comma.

I SUGGEST you pay a visit to your nearest ironmonger and have him give you an introduction to POTS and KETTLES.

Gregor McIan

Gregor McIan (I see what you did there), your reply made me smile, so thanks. I totally agree with you.

Ian McGregor sounds like a pompous nitwit. If he ever wrote for me, I’d definitely insert contractions into all his work. If he complained, he’d simply be dropped. His loss.

You didn’t mention usage of He’d as he had

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Contractions: What Are Contractions? Definition and Examples

If you're wondering what contractions are and would like to learn how to make and use them, you're in the right place. This article will teach you everything you need to know.

In short, contractions are a way to combine two words to save time and space. They're used in both oral and written communication.

This guide is part of our free online Grammar Book .

What Are Contractions?

Contractions are shortened forms of words. A contraction is made up of two words joined together by an apostrophe. You also leave out a few letters when you make a contraction, and usually, you replace them with an apostrophe.

Here are some examples of common contractions:

Contractions make speech easier and quicker, but they're also used in writing. They're a type of abbreviation but are different from the other types. Check out this article on abbreviations to learn more.

How to Form Contractions

To make a contraction, you'll need to omit some of the letters in the two words you want to join together and replace them with an apostrophe.

Sometimes that's one letter, like in the following examples:

• she is → she's
• let us → let's
• would not → wouldn't

And sometimes you leave out two or more letters, like in these words:

• might have → might've
• I would → I'd
• we will → we'll

You might have noticed from the examples above that you can take out the first letter of the second word, the second letter of the second word, or both. Negative contractions with the word 'not' always remove the 'o' from 'not' and replace it with an apostrophe.

Top Tip! 'Won't' is a little different from the others because it's the phrase 'will not,' meaning that not only have three letters been removed ('ill'), but the letter 'o' has replaced them.

How to Use Contractions in Writing

There's a widespread belief that you shouldn't use contractions in writing , but this isn't strictly true. In fact, contractions can really help you connect with your readers by giving your writing a more conversational and friendly tone.

We use contractions in our articles here at Writing Tips Institute all the time.

The only place you might want to avoid them is in very formal writing, like academic papers or emails with a superior, that sort of thing.

A word of warning, though: contractions can sometimes be confusing in writing because some of them are pretty ambiguous.

For instance, sometimes two different contractions can be spelled the same, like [pronoun] + 'would' and [pronoun] + 'had,' which are both contracted to [pronoun] +'d. Case in point in the two following sentences that both use 'I'd' but have different meanings.

If I were you I'd have apologized sooner.  ('I would') When she arrived I'd already started my presentation.  ('I had')

In the same way, the contraction 's  can mean both 'is' and 'has ':

Don't speak to your brother that way; that's mean .  ('that is') He's already finished his homework.  ('he has')

Another interesting contraction is 'what's.' This contraction can stand for not one, not two, but three different phrases: 'what is,' 'what has,' and 'what does.' Each of the following sentences uses this contraction in one of the three meanings:

What's your backpack doing on the table?  ('what is') That's what's been bothering me. ('what has') What's that say?  ('what does')

The last usage is very casual, so be sure only to use it in informal contexts.

Contractions vs Possessives

Contractions often get confused with possessives in writing because they sometimes look the same.

For instance, contractions might look like possessive nouns because they also use an apostrophe and the letter' s.'

For example:

Sophie's joining us for lunch.  (contraction) Sophie's daughter is coming too.  (possessive)

Then you've got the possessive adjective ' their ,' which sounds exactly like the contraction 'they're.' They're homophones , in fact.

But they have entirely different meanings , as you can see from the following sentences:

The kids are expecting their usual pizza night. They're planning to go on vacation in August.

Contractions and possessives are two completely different parts of grammar, so make sure you get the spelling right. Otherwise, your meaning could be misconstrued. 

Types of Contraction

Now that we've covered the basics of contractions and how to use them, let's look at the different types of contractions. I've narrowed it down to five, but you might find them categorized differently elsewhere.

Subject + Verb

A prevalent form of contraction is when you combine the subject with a verb. As a reminder, a subject can be a noun, pronoun, gerund, infinitive, and so many other things. Check out our article on the topic to learn more. And the verbs that can be contracted and paired with a subject are 'is' and ' have ' and the modal verb 'would.'

Here are some examples:

• I have → I've
• you will → you'll
• Roger is → Roger's
• who is → who's
• we are → we're
• you would → you'd
• it is → it's
• you are → you're
• we have → we've
• they are → they're

Modal Verb + 'Have'

Another common contraction is a modal verb with the verb 'have.'

• must have → must've
• could have → could've
• will have → will've
• would have → would've
• should have → should've

Negative Contractions

Negative contractions are frequently used and are made by combining a verb with the word 'not' or, more precisely, n't .

Case in point:

• Is not → Isn't
• Had not → Hadn't
• Are not → Aren't
• Can not → Can't
• Was not → Wasn't
• Were not → Weren't
• Should not → Shouldn't
• Could not → Couldn't
• Did not → Didn't
• Have not → Haven't
• Has not → Hasn't
• Would not → Wouldn't
• Will not → Won't

Interrogative Contractions

As you might've guessed, you can use interrogative contractions in interrogative sentences to ask a question. Specifically, negative contractions can be used as question tags in positive questions. Sound confusing?

Let me illustrate with some examples:

You've already been to Australia, haven't you? They shoot horses, don't they? George goes to your school, doesn't he?

Of course, you can also use contractions to form 'wh' questions . For this, use the formula [adverb] + [verb].

• what are → what're
• where has → where's
• who have → who've
• what is → what's

You can also use this formula to make contractions that don't ask questions like, for example, 'there is' → 'there's.'

Colloquial Contractions

Last but not least, let's talk about colloquial contractions. These are best kept for casual situations and casual writing because many of them are slang words. They don't follow particular rules like regular contractions, so there isn't always a specific pattern for making them. They sort of just appear in language and get used.

• you all → y'all
• is not → ain't
• I would have → I'da
• come on → c'mon
• I am going to → I'm a

Concluding Thoughts

That concludes this article on contractions. I hope it's helped you feel more confident in knowing what they are and how to use them.

Let's summarize what we've learned:

• Contractions are shortened versions of two words merged together.
• You remove some of the words' letters to make contractions short.
• Most contractions use an apostrophe to replace the letters that have been removed.
• There are five types of contractions: subject + verb; modal verb + 'have'; negative contractions; interrogative contractions; and colloquial contractions.

If you enjoyed this article, I recommend you check out our Grammar Book . It's a free online database where we regularly upload articles that break down complex grammar topics, just like this one.

Learn More:

• Abbreviations: What Are Abbreviations? Definition and Examples
• Apostrophes: When to Use Apostrophes in Writing (Examples)
• Ellipses: When to Use Ellipses in Writing (Examples)
• Verb Tense: What Is Verb Tense? Definition and Types (Examples)
• Parallelism: What Is Parallelism? Definition and Examples
• Slash: When to Use Slash in Writing (Examples)
• Capitalization Rules: What Are the Rules Capitalizing Words? (Examples)
• Italics and Underlining: When to Use Italics and Underlining in Writing (Examples)
• Articles: What Are Articles? Definition and Types (Examples)
• Mood in Verbs: What Is Verb Mood? Definition and Types (Examples)
• Modal Verbs: What Are Modal Verbs? Definition and Examples
• Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: Definition and Examples
• Interrogative Sentences: What Are Interrogative Sentences? Definition and Examples
• Imperative Sentences: What Are Imperative Sentences? Definition and Examples
• Compound Words: What Are Compound Words? Definition and Examples

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