As a professional, it`s crucial to recognize when contractions are appropriate and when they`re not. While they can help make writing sound more natural and conversational, overusing them can weaken the overall impact and professionalism of the content. Unfortunately, I recently came across an article that featured six contractions in just two hours – and it made the piece feel choppy and unpolished.
So, what exactly are contractions? They`re shortened versions of two words combined into one, typically by removing letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. For example, “it is” becomes “it`s,” “cannot” becomes “can`t,” and “they are” becomes “they`re.” While they`re acceptable in casual conversation and can add a friendly tone to social media posts, overusing them in professional writing can make it appear lazy or uneducated.
In the article I mentioned earlier, the overuse of contractions was particularly noticeable in direct quotes from experts. While it`s important to maintain the authenticity of someone`s speech, it`s also essential to maintain the professionalism and credibility of the publication. By allowing the excessive use of contractions, the article risked losing both.
It`s important to note that there are times when contractions are appropriate in professional writing. For instance, in creative writing or when writing for a more casual audience, they can help create a more relatable tone. However, when writing for a more formal audience, such as in academic or business writing, it`s best to limit their use and rely on the full versions of words.
In conclusion, while contractions can add a conversational tone to writing, their overuse can negatively impact the credibility and professionalism of the content. As a professional, it`s essential to recognize when contractions are appropriate and when they`re not. By doing so, we can help ensure that the writing we edit is polished and effective.