[Forum] RE: Consistency of Contraction Usage

[quote='Atrophy' pid='876' dateline='1271263361'] How important is consistency when using contractions in an informal essay? For example, is it acceptable to use both "I don't" and "I do not" in the same essay or even the same paragraph? I find myself using both forms, depending on tone and emphasi

[Forum] RE: contractions in academic writing

They are generally not used, but there is not a law against it.

[Forum] RE: A Grammar Riddle from Uncle Grumps

Ha. Contractions. Get it? Took me a while.

[Forum] RE: Editing authors who overuse contractions

Fiction? Dialect? Then, let them be.

[Forum] RE: contractions in academic writing

Hello mglustrom, and welcome to the forum. I concur with JerrySmile.

[Forum] RE: Can "cousin's" be used as a contraction in Fiction?

Thanks RGJaxon. When speaking we use these kinds of contractions all the time. Just wasn't sure if it was proper in writing. Cheers

[Forum] RE: Introductory clause question

Thank you, All! Yes, informal is fine for this MS--I even injected a few contractions to lighten the thing up. What would I do without you helpers? I'm glad I won't have to find out. thank you again

[Forum] RE: Questions within a parentheses

[i]A nurse came in to ask me the usual questions (When did my water break? When did the contractions start?) and then added another specifically for me: Did I always talk this way (disfluently)?[/i]

[Forum] RE: contractions in academic writing

Anytime this question comes up, I can't help but think of my seventh-grade English teacher. Let's just say she was, um, strict. She had a list of fatal "errors" that, if committed even once, would result in an automatic zero for the assignment. One was to use a contraction.

[Forum] Questions within a parentheses

How would you punctuate the following: A nurse came in to ask me the usual questions (when did my water break, when did the contractions start?) and then added another specifically for me: Did I always talk this way (disfluently)?