Too Many Contractions? - Writers Forum

CelticCricket · 10-05-2007, 12:10 PM

Is there a such thing as having too many contractions in a story? I had gotten into the habit of using a lot of them in my recent story. When is is best to use the contraction words and when is it not? I don't want to get my novel rejected just because I have used too many contraction words.

Thanks in advance!

Mermaid on the breakwater · 10-05-2007, 12:40 PM

No, of course not. Your editor will just tell you whether there are too many or not. They're hardly going to turn a really good novel down because you slip in a few too many contractions. It's much more natural to use contractions in speech as well and makes the dialogue flow better. Worth considering.

Cran · 10-05-2007, 02:16 PM

if it suits the character, CelticCricket, or the narration, go with it ...

you'll know it's too much when apostrophes dominate the page ...

CelticCricket · 10-06-2007, 09:27 PM

Ok, I think I can go with that rule. Easy to remember. LOL. Thanks, Cran!

Cran · 10-07-2007, 12:13 PM

you're welcome, CelticCricket ...

another way to get a sense of overkill would be to post a segment
which you consider to be rich with contractions (and/or slang, colloquialisms, etc) in Writers Workshop ...
and see what feedback it generates ...

lin · 10-07-2007, 01:32 PM

This is not something to worry about. Contractions are the way words are used. There is a value difference between saying "I'd do it" and "I would do it"...they aren't all that interchangeable. Use the word you need.

Just out of curiosity, where did you get the idea that there are limits on contractions?

mr glass · 10-08-2007, 05:37 AM

my english teacher from a few years ago wouldn't let us use contractions in our compositions. and you wonder why american education is in the toilet.

CelticCricket · 10-08-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

Just out of curiosity, where did you get the idea that there are limits on contractions?

LOL. I was just rereading over my own story and I used ALOT of contractions in it. I used them when the characters spoke and even when they were not speaking. So as paranoid as I am, I just thought I would cover my bases and ask before I attempted to get it published and be rejected for that reason.

skywalker21 · 10-08-2007, 10:41 AM

I have taken english classes in college and they tell you not to write with contractions because you take away from what is being said. Write for understand and to tell a story. In my writing I try not to use contractions.

1.it's=it is
2.They're=they are

I would suggest spelling those things out...

CelticCricket · 10-08-2007, 11:31 AM

I did go back through and redid some of my words. I read the sentence with the contraction and when it is not in contraction form. I ended up using what sounded best. And it helped because most of them disappeared without me even realizing it. LOL.

lin · 10-08-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

not to write with contractions because you take away from what is being said. Write for understand and to tell a story.

WAY bad advice. Maybe for English class papers or whatever academic BS, but if you are telling a story, you use the appropriate words...not what some prof thinks is a good idea.

skywalker21 · 10-08-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticCricket

I did go back through and redid some of my words. I read the sentence with the contraction and when it is not in contraction form. I ended up using what sounded best. And it helped because most of them disappeared without me even realizing it. LOL.

lol. There are reason why people should not write with contractions. Too many can make your point fuzzy. And you know that there are different words that are spelled the same but look different.

There
Their
They're(which in class material should be used as They are)

its
it's (Write as it is)

You all should by The Hacker Handbook for grammar things. It is by Diana Hacker. I follow that when I write my stories. grammar is important if you want to get published as a good writer.

skywalker21 · 10-08-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

WAY bad advice. Maybe for English class papers or whatever academic BS, but if you are telling a story, you use the appropriate words...not what some prof thinks is a good idea.

Dialoge can have contractions but depending on what your story is about.

Informal or Formal

The saying is to say something in fewer words but be specific in what you are saying. Generalizations does not get your point across.

IrishLad · 10-08-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

LOL. I was just rereading over my own story and I used ALOT of contractions in it. I used them when the characters spoke and even when they were not speaking. So as paranoid as I am, I just thought I would cover my bases and ask before I attempted to get it published and be rejected for that reason.

If the narration is from a character's point of view, it's fine (and I would say even important) to keep the contractions. People tend to speak like they think.

I suggest reading aloud, roleplaying the characters, and recording it. You'll likely hear on playback whether or not the contractions are appropriate.

Hope this helps,
Cheers

lin · 10-09-2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Too many can make your point fuzzy.
Generalizations does not get your point across.

These are absolutely absurd statements. Saying "I'll have a beer" makes it harder to understand that "I will have a beer"?

I know you don't actually believe that. I don't understand why people say this shit about writing when it's obviously crap and they don't even believe it or use it themselves.

Contractions are NEVER "inappropriate". But, as I said before, and might be well for a few of you to get a handle on, they can give a phrase a different value. Different in tone, inflection and even meaning. Contractions are the default. Often using the un-contracted phrase provides emphasis. "I will do it" can be read as more emphatic than "I'll do it". In context it can signify an accent on the word "will".
"If you would just do it..."
"I will do it"
You can see the stronger hit on the word there.
Which MEANS.... that the the "I will" and "I'll" would not be interchangeable there.
Don't think you are cleaning up a manuscript by getting rid of apostrophes. What you are probably doing is making it sound like you learned English late in life or have a broomstick up your ass.

There is nothing wrong with contractions. They are the preferred way to speak and write in most cases. They are not merely spelling differences: they can be a different form of expression.

I hope that clears this up. It's getting silly.