whitebread Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 (edited) Does using word contractions (can't instead of cannot, won't instead of will not, etc.) make one sound uneducated? Although I am frequently guilty of using them myself, I think people sound smarter when they do not use them. Edited February 23, 2007 by guylaroche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodel Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I think it does sound smarter, but it isn't as if using the other form sounds dumb. Their use depends on the audience in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebread Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 ..... it isn't as ......:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted February 23, 2007 Veteran Share Posted February 23, 2007 I thought we were talking about birthing. "I don't know nothing about birthing no babies Miss Scarlet." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebread Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 ^ I edited the title to clarify things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balupton Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 for me i use both the compact and expanded words depending on their use. eg. if i'm arguing with someone and we are going: "is too" "is not" "is too" "is not", the word "isn't" just does not work. See and right there i used "does not" instead of "doesn't", I would say "it doesn't work" though. I am a culprit of using "ain't", but i think that's not common practice. And right there i used "that's" but I would say "this is sooo dumb", yeah, i use both ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodel Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I thought we were talking about birthing."I don't know nothing about birthing no babies Miss Scarlet." Double negatives, now there is a grammar rule I hate seeing broken. :devil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2687 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I had an English teacher in high school who told not to use them because it makes your writing sound better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbo Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 in writing, it sounds smarter... in general conversation it can get annoying if someone consistently does it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primexx Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 they all have their uses. In formal writing, ALWAYS use the full words. It isnt a question of sounding smarter or not, just that it's more formal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tao muon Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I thought we were talking about birthing."I don't know nothing about birthing no babies Miss Scarlet." :laugh: How close are your contractions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalE Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 People only look uneducated when they don't include apostrophes in their contractions when typing. "I cant go." That, and people who include apostrophes in words that don't need them. Such as "I wan't some candy." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jexel Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 when writing essays it's preferred not to use contractions but in everyday speech nobody really cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echilon Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Sometimes not using contractions make a person sound like a geek. If using the full form sounds forced, which it usually does when people with my accent use it, using the contraction is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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