Real Contractions: What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly
As you write, it’s important to know the difference between real contractions and those that aren’t. Using real contractions can bring a sense of informality and immediacy to your writing, making it more conversational and engaging.
First things first: what are real contractions? Real contractions occur when two words are combined, and one or more letters are omitted. It’s important to note that these contractions are not the same as apostrophes used for possessives or omitted letters in dialogue.
Real contractions include words like “can’t”, “won’t”, “shouldn’t”, and “wouldn’t”. It’s important to know that not all contractions are real contractions. Words like “gonna”, “wanna”, and “gotta” are not technically correct contractions, but rather colloquialisms. While they are often used in informal speech, they should be avoided in formal writing.
When it comes to using real contractions correctly, it’s important to consider your audience and the tone you want to convey. In formal writing, such as academic papers, reports, and many business documents, it’s best to avoid contractions altogether. In these contexts, contractions can make your writing seem too informal and conversational.
However, in more informal writing, such as blog posts, emails, or social media updates, real contractions can be a great tool for creating a conversational tone. Be careful not to overuse contractions, as this can make your writing seem too casual or lazy. It’s important to strike a balance between maintaining a professional tone and keeping your writing approachable and engaging.
It’s also important to be consistent in your use of contractions. If you choose to use real contractions in your writing, make sure you use them consistently throughout. Switching between contractions and their non-contracted forms can be jarring and distracting for readers.
In addition to their impact on tone, using real contractions can also have an impact on SEO, or search engine optimization. Including real contractions in your writing can help your content rank higher in search engine results pages. This is because people often search using natural language, which includes contractions.
In conclusion, real contractions are an important tool for creating conversational, engaging writing. Used correctly, they can bring a sense of informality and immediacy to your writing. However, it’s important to consider your audience and tone, and to be consistent in your use of contractions. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to use real contractions effectively in your writing, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes.