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Discussion Groups / British English / May 2006Using isn't, can't etc.
Most serious non-fiction writers seem to prefer "is not", "cannot", etc. to "isn't" and "can't". On the other hand, some writers seem to prefer the shortened forms in order to give a conversational tone to their writings. How do you feel about this? Do the shortened forms sound silly, or do they make the text more pleasant to read? Is there any difference between what is common in the UK and what is common in the US? -- Claus Tondering > Most serious non-fiction writers seem to prefer "is not", "cannot", etc. to > "isn't" and "can't". [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > make the text more pleasant to read? Is there any difference between what is > common in the UK and what is common in the US? What I was taught, and which is therefore now natural to me, is to avoid contractions in normal text, but that they are appropriate in direct speech. No doubt as a consequence of this, reading such contractions in serious writing slightly grates with me. However, I do freely use them when writing informal emails or instant messaging, because those forms of communication are effectively written speech. Cheers Tony  SignatureTony Mountifield Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org I think that restricing their use in written English is not natural. I would have no problem writing them. You shouldn't let fuddyduddies dictate how you write! > I think that restricing their use in written English is not natural. > I would have no problem writing them. > You shouldn't let fuddyduddies dictate how you write! It depends on the context. Definitely OK in a novel, magazine article, guide, publicity material, any sort of informal or semi formal writing. Not OK at all in a technical, legal, medical, or financial report, or similar sorts of formalised text. If you're writing a history book (say), you might choose to write it either way, depending on how dignified (or stuck-up) you want to sound. Fuddyduddies can't dictate how one writes, but readers dictate what they read if you let them. Paul Burke > If you're writing a history book (say), you might choose to write it either > way, depending on how dignified (or stuck-up) you want to sound. Fuddyduddies > can't dictate how one writes, but readers dictate what they read if you let > them. Okay, thanks for the info. Is there a difference between the British and American conventions about when it is acceptable to use the contracted terms? -- Claus Tondering |
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