What are contractions in writing? My grandma just taught me something!

[SamuelS]

I was visiting my grandmother over the weekend, and she saw me stressing over an essay. She asked what I was working on, and I explained I was trying to figure out where to use contractions. She smiled and said, "Honey, contractions are just the written version of a friendly nod."

And honestly, that changed my entire perspective. She grew up in an era where letter-writing was an art form, and she explained that she always used contractions when writing to friends and family because it mimicked the warmth of talking to them in person. When she wrote formal letters (to banks, officials, etc.), she avoided them to create distance and respect. It's such a simple, human way to think about it! It's not about grammar rules or style guides; it's about the relationship you're trying to build with the person on the other end of the page. I just had to share this little nugget of wisdom.

Thanks, Grandma!

 

[MartaPhillips]

Your grandmother just articulated something that style guides spend pages trying to explain but never quite capture.

Contractions ARE about relationship. They signal "we're on the same level." They invite the reader in. And avoiding them? That's a way of saying "this is formal, this is distant, this is official."

The fact that she learned this from a lifetime of letter-writing—actual letters, with pen and paper—makes it even more powerful. She understands that writing is ultimately about connection between humans.

Please tell your grandma that she just helped a whole forum full of students become better writers. And give her a hug from all of us!