I set up my grammar checker to mark contractions. Although I often use contractions because I want to project a warm and engaged voice, I check my use in all documents and especially in this blog because we have a lot of non-native readers. Use contractions in your business letter if it seems more stilted or uncomfortable not to use them. All business texts must be adapted to your readers. If you write frequently to an international audience, use contractions very carefully. Most types of writing benefit from the use of contractions. When used thoughtfully, prose contractions look natural and relaxed, making reading more enjoyable. Chicago Manual of Style Keep in mind that while it`s okay to use contractions when writing businesses, it`s not always preferable. If you want to emphasize one point, two words might be a better choice: ”Despite the economic downturn, we don`t plan to reduce our workforce in the near future.” My Grade 12 English teacher is not supposed to use contractions in serious writing. My rhetoric teacher at university told me not to use contractions in class. My business communications told me not to use contractions and to rarely use abbreviations. For example, write the word ”suite” on your business card. I`ve been told to spell things as ”square feet” even though the meaning is obvious.

I graduated from university in 1993. In front of Craigslist. I found this refreshing post simple and dead. Deciding whether or not to use contractions in writing is quite controversial. I have met many writers who vehemently oppose the inclusion of contractions in any composition, and I have personally struggled with this dilemma in my own writings. I`m disappointed to see that contractions have such a bad reputation when they can really improve writing. I also address this issue in my White Wordsmith grammar blog in whitewordsmith.com. I think we have a similar view on this punctuation problem.

If you were to use a contraction when speaking, it is reasonable to use it when writing. However, as mentioned in ”Are contractions in corporate writing acceptable?”, contractions should not be used in truly formal writing – these include instructions that can affect safety: From two books, I learned that contractions challenge people who read English as a foreign language: Bottom Line – You can use contractions in The Business Prose with great effect, but you should use them with caution. Sometimes they adapt; sometimes they don`t. Recognize whether the use of contraction supports or hinders the rhythm of the emphasis on your sentence.1 Tend to make this decision, and your contraction application will likely be good. Don`t focus on what`s ”formal” or ”informal,” but what works best for clarity, understanding, and readability. As writers, we should want to use contractions to communicate in a fluid and simple style that allows readers to feel that words come easily. Communicating in a strictly formal way is not natural for many readers – even in formal business presentations, you want the reader to feel comfortable, not tense. Stilted and incriminating business prose doesn`t make readers comfortable or confident – and that can only annoy them.

Unlike most problems with using writing, contractions don`t need to be consistent throughout the text.1 Instead, written contractions should mimic the natural conversation that often mixes contractions with whole words to highlight certain parts of sentences: If English is the audience`s second language – Of course, If you`re writing for a global audience that uses English as a second or foreign language, adding contractions can be confusing, as these readers often struggle to grasp the abbreviation – they add unnecessary complexity for non-native readers. If your business letter reaches many of those less familiar Englishmen, then minimizing contractions may be the right thing to do for more clarity and efficiency. I live as a writer and writing teacher, and my motto is ”write for the reader.” Since many visitors to this blog read English as a Foreign Language (EFL), I decided to use fewer contractions – from now on. I will continue to communicate with a warm and friendly tone, but I`m sure I can find a way to do it without using so many contractions. I wondered why the use of contractions is considered informal or unprofessional, I was surprised by their position and thought that the subject deserved to be examined closely. I did not know that this informal rule remains so persistent in business rooms. Let`s think about it for a moment. Contractions are not slang, although some equate them with slang. And I would say they`re not even informal. These are just contractions.

However, it is clear that excessive use of the letter can make it too casual – which is not appropriate in some business contexts, especially those where authors want to convey a high level of professionalism or comply with rigid presentation protocols. ”Contractions reflect informal speaking and writing. Avoid excessive use of contractions. ”Have you noticed how sentences with contractions read commonly? Did you have a more positive mood? When used correctly, contractions can give you common ground with your reader. You can make the topic understandable. And if your reader or audience feels that sense of connection, they`re more likely to hear your message. Since we often use contractions when we speak, it is certainly acceptable to use contractions in most of our daily business texts. However, confusion about the correct form can complicate the problem.

While some style textbooks suggest or observe that contractions in corporate writing are useful when striving for a simple and informal tone, but are not suitable for formal writing (The Gregg Reference Manual, Write Right: A Desktop Digest of Interctuation, Grammar, and Style), many contemporary usage instructions welcome and recommend their effective use. Contractions have a bad reputation. And it`s just not justified. Their crime: shortening a word or sentence in which an apostrophe indicates the missing letters or words. Here are some common contractions: Is it wrong to use contractions in business writing? The short answer is ”no.” Go ahead and use them, but use them intelligently and don`t abuse them. Readers will thank you because your writing will flow better and I think you will look more like a professional writer, not less. So, should you use contractions in your business letter? Yes, no, and maybe all of them are acceptable answers. Your decision to use contractions depends on your goal, tone, and audience.

And with special attention, you master the art of using them effectively. Related Terms: Business Writing Training, Business Writing Seminar, Business Writing Seminars, Business Letters, Business Letter, Business Correspondence, Business Writing, Business Letter Writing, Business Letter Writing, Business Communication, How to Write a Business Letter The use of contractions in formal writing is allowed as it can help make writing more natural; However, authors are advised to exercise their discretion. .