As a rule, contractions are used only in informal writing or in tabular matter where space is limited. However, contractions of verb phrases such as "can't" for "cannot" are commonly used in business writing where the writer is striving for an easy, friendly tone.
Certain contractions can have more than one meaning. Can you explain the meaning of the following sentences?
For example: What's her name? (What is her name?)
1. What's he do for a living? (________________)
2. What's been happening? (________________)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (________________)
4. Let's find out. (________________)
(Answers Below)
1. What's he do for a living? (What does he do for a living?)
2. What's been happening? (What has been happening?)
3. When's the last time you saw her? (When was the last time you saw her?)
4. Let's find out. (Let us find out.)
Be aware of these common problems: the misuse of "its" and "it's" and "your" and "you're."
Use "its" when you want to communicate possession.
"It's" is used as a contraction for "it is."
"Your" also shows possession, and "you're" is a contraction of "you are."
Examples:
Its bark kept us awake.
It's too soon for celebrating.
Your desk is sloppy.
You're a silly person.
Source: Bull's Eye Business Writing: 10 Easy Guides for Getting to Your Writing Target, by Gloria Pincu, M.A. , President of Basic Learning Systems, Inc.
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