The placement of 's - Writers Forum

AdrienneW · 12-31-2006, 11:11 AM

I have a couple of characters in my most recent work, that contract thier is with other word. For example, instead of say, "your heart is fine" the one character say "your heart's fine." Is that correct? or is there a better way to do that?

Fantasy of You · 12-31-2006, 11:15 AM

It's fine. Not really necessary, IMO, but fine.

mammamaia · 12-31-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

contract thier is with other word

???

Quote:

For example, instead of say, "your heart is fine" the one character say "your heart's fine." Is that correct? or is there a better way to do that?

it's grammatically correct... and if that's the way this character would speak, then there is no 'better' way to do it... it's the way most of us would say that in casual conversation... a more formal, stiff-backed person might not use the contraction, but you have to have each character speak 'in character' and be consistent...

AdrienneW · 01-02-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

???

it's grammatically correct... and if that's the way this character would speak, then there is no 'better' way to do it... it's the way most of us would say that in casual conversation... a more formal, stiff-backed person might not use the contraction, but you have to have each character speak 'in character' and be consistent...

Sorry about that, it didn't come out the way I meant it too when I wrote it. I would have corrected it if I had noticed.
What I meant to say is that they contract the word is with other words...I already gave an example.
I realize its not necissary but, if I write out the word "is" it sounds too formal...the language in the are would be a contracted 's.

MichelleWritesStuff · 01-02-2007, 10:58 PM

Yes, the contraction is legit.