WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: Are Contractions Acceptable in Formal Writing?

Episode Date: March 2, 2025

You cannot be too careful ... or can you? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and are contractions like can't and don't acceptable in formal writing? The short answer is that they're almost always better than the alternative. Contractions are perfectly grammatically correct, unless you leave out the apostrophe, in which case, how dare you? They read fluidly like speech. There's a common misconception among writers of formal things like papers and essays that speech is too casual for the printed page.

And no, you shouldn't use slang or write out your stammering, but that doesn't mean there's anything inherently wrong with smooth writing that reads well aloud. In fact, if you want to be understood, that's typically the best way to write. What does this have to do with contractions? Well, unless you want to sound prudish, you probably should use contractions even in formal writing. Alternatively, you can also think of stronger verbs than to be or to do that can't be contracted and look better written out. That's your grammar minute. Thank you.