What are contractions?

Contractions are shortened versions of words. Some examples are:

• Don't
• It's
• Would've
• I'd

These contractions mimic how we speak in written language.

Why should you avoid contractions in academic writing?

Contractions are part of spoken language and are avoided in formal writing. This is partly because, at times, the contraction can confuse. For example the 'I'd' above could be 'I had' or 'I would'.

To avoid any confusion write out the full written form.

How can you avoid contractions?

Write out the full form:

• Don't = do not
• It's = it is or it has
• Would've = would have
• I'd = I would or I had