are contractions okay in college essays

Frequently asked questions

Can i use contractions in a college essay.

Yes. The college application essay is less formal than other academic writing —though of course it’s not mandatory to use contractions in your essay.

Frequently asked questions: College admissions essays

When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story.

No matter which prompt you choose, admissions officers are more interested in your ability to demonstrate personal development , insight, or motivation for a certain area of study.

The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools. All your prospective schools that accept the Common App will read this essay to understand your character, background, and value as a potential student.

Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs; instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

Most importantly, your essay should be about you , not another person or thing. An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability.

Your essay shouldn’t be a résumé of your experiences but instead should tell a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding your message and content. Then, check for flow, tone, style , and clarity. Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors .

If your college essay goes over the word count limit , cut any sentences with tangents or irrelevant details. Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

If you’ve got to write your college essay fast , don’t panic. First, set yourself deadlines: you should spend about 10% of your remaining time on brainstorming, 10% on outlining, 40% writing, 30% revising, and 10% taking breaks in between stages.

Second, brainstorm stories and values based on your essay prompt.

Third, outline your essay based on the montage or narrative essay structure .

Fourth, write specific, personal, and unique stories that would be hard for other students to replicate.

Fifth, revise your essay and make sure it’s clearly written.

Last, if possible, get feedback from an essay coach . Scribbr essay editors can help you revise your essay in 12 hours or less.

Avoid swearing in a college essay , since admissions officers’ opinions of profanity will vary. In some cases, it might be okay to use a vulgar word, such as in dialogue or quotes that make an important point in your essay. However, it’s safest to try to make the same point without swearing.

If you have bad grades on your transcript, you may want to use your college admissions essay to explain the challenging circumstances that led to them. Make sure to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects and highlight how you overcame the situation or learned an important lesson.

However, some college applications offer an additional information section where you can explain your bad grades, allowing you to choose another meaningful topic for your college essay.

Here’s a brief list of college essay topics that may be considered cliché:

• Extracurriculars, especially sports
• Role models
• Dealing with a personal tragedy or death in the family
• Struggling with new life situations (immigrant stories, moving homes, parents’ divorce)
• Becoming a better person after community service, traveling, or summer camp
• Overcoming a difficult class
• Using a common object as an extended metaphor

It’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic. However, it’s possible to make a common topic compelling with interesting story arcs, uncommon connections, and an advanced writing style.

In a college essay , you can be creative with your language . When writing about the past, you can use the present tense to make the reader feel as if they were there in the moment with you. But make sure to maintain consistency and when in doubt, default to the correct verb tense according to the time you’re writing about.

The college admissions essay gives admissions officers a different perspective on you beyond your academic achievements, test scores, and extracurriculars. It’s your chance to stand out from other applicants with similar academic profiles by telling a unique, personal, and specific story.

Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial to avoid distracting the reader from your college essay’s content.

A college application essay is less formal than most academic writing . Instead of citing sources formally with in-text citations and a reference list, you can cite them informally in your text.

For example, “In her research paper on genetics, Quinn Roberts explores …”

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay . College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count .

Most topics are acceptable for college essays if you can use them to demonstrate personal growth or a lesson learned. However, there are a few difficult topics for college essays that should be avoided. Avoid topics that are:

• Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships)
• Not personal enough (e.g. broad solutions to world problems, inspiring people or things)
• Too negative (e.g. an in-depth look at your flaws, put-downs of others, criticizing the need for a college essay)
• Too boring (e.g. a resume of your academic achievements and extracurriculars)
• Inappropriate for a college essay (e.g. illegal activities, offensive humor, false accounts of yourself, bragging about privilege)

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

You can use humor in a college essay , but carefully consider its purpose and use it wisely. An effective use of humor involves unexpected, keen observations of the everyday, or speaks to a deeper theme. Humor shouldn’t be the main focus of the essay, but rather a tool to improve your storytelling.

Get a second opinion from a teacher, counselor, or essay coach on whether your essay’s humor is appropriate.

Though admissions officers are interested in hearing your story, they’re also interested in how you tell it. An exceptionally written essay will differentiate you from other applicants, meaning that admissions officers will spend more time reading it.

You can use literary devices to catch your reader’s attention and enrich your storytelling; however, focus on using just a few devices well, rather than trying to use as many as possible.

To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics, try the following two strategies:

• Identify your qualities → Brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities
• Identify memorable stories → Connect your qualities to these stories

You can also ask family, friends, or mentors to help you brainstorm topics, give feedback on your potential essay topics, or recall key stories that showcase your qualities.

Yes—admissions officers don’t expect everyone to have a totally unique college essay topic . But you must differentiate your essay from others by having a surprising story arc, an interesting insight, and/or an advanced writing style .

There are no foolproof college essay topics —whatever your topic, the key is to write about it effectively. However, a good topic

• Is meaningful, specific, and personal to you
• Focuses on you and your experiences
• Reveals something beyond your test scores, grades, and extracurriculars
• Is creative and original

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

College deadlines vary depending on the schools you’re applying to and your application plan:

• For early action applications and the first round of early decision applications, the deadline is on November 1 or 15. Decisions are released by mid-December.
• For the second round of early decision applications, the deadline is January 1 or 15. Decisions are released in January or February.
• Regular decision deadlines usually fall between late November and mid-March, and decisions are released in March or April.
• Rolling admission deadlines run from July to April, and decisions are released around four to eight weeks after submission.

Depending on your prospective schools’ requirements, you may need to submit scores for the SAT or ACT as part of your college application .

Some schools now no longer require students to submit test scores; however, you should still take the SAT or ACT and aim to get a high score to strengthen your application package.

Aim to take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year to give yourself enough time to retake it in the fall of your senior year if necessary.

Apply early for federal student aid and application fee waivers. You can also look for scholarships from schools, corporations, and charitable foundations.

To maximize your options, you should aim to apply to about eight schools:

• Two reach schools that might be difficult to get into
• Four match schools that you have a good chance of getting into
• Two safety schools that you feel confident you’ll get into

The college admissions essay accounts for roughly 25% of the weight of your application .

At highly selective schools, there are four qualified candidates for every spot. While your academic achievements are important, your college admissions essay can help you stand out from other applicants with similar profiles.

In general, for your college application you will need to submit all of the following:

• Your personal information
• List of extracurriculars and awards
• College application essays
• Transcripts
• Standardized test scores
• Recommendation letters.

Different colleges may have specific requirements, so make sure you check exactly what’s expected in the application guidance.

You should start thinking about your college applications the summer before your junior year to give you sufficient time for college visits, taking standardized tests, applying for financial aid , writing essays, and collecting application material.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

You can speed up this process by shortening and smoothing your writing with a paraphrasing tool . After that, you can use the summarizer to shorten it even more.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

In your application essay , admissions officers are looking for particular features : they want to see context on your background, positive traits that you could bring to campus, and examples of you demonstrating those qualities.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

You don’t need a title for your college admissions essay , but you can include one if you think it adds something important.

Your college essay’s format should be as simple as possible:

• Use a standard, readable font
• Use 1.5 or double spacing
• If attaching a file, save it as a PDF
• Stick to the word count
• Avoid unusual formatting and unnecessary decorative touches

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

Campus visits are always helpful, but if you can’t make it in person, the college website will have plenty of information for you to explore. You should look through the course catalog and even reach out to current faculty with any questions about the school.

Colleges set a “Why this college?” essay because they want to see that you’ve done your research. You must prove that you know what makes the school unique and can connect that to your own personal goals and academic interests.

Depending on your writing, you may go through several rounds of revision . Make sure to put aside your essay for a little while after each editing stage to return with a fresh perspective.

Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your language, tone, and content . Ask for their help at least one to two months before the submission deadline, as many other students will also want their help.

Friends and family are a good resource to check for authenticity. It’s best to seek help from family members with a strong writing or English educational background, or from older siblings and cousins who have been through the college admissions process.

If possible, get help from an essay coach or editor ; they’ll have specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and be able to give objective expert feedback.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

In a college application essay , you can occasionally bend grammatical rules if doing so adds value to the storytelling process and the essay maintains clarity.

However, use standard language rules if your stylistic choices would otherwise distract the reader from your overall narrative or could be easily interpreted as unintentional errors.

Write concisely and use the active voice to maintain a quick pace throughout your essay and make sure it’s the right length . Avoid adding definitions unless they provide necessary explanation.

Use first-person “I” statements to speak from your perspective . Use appropriate word choices that show off your vocabulary but don’t sound like you used a thesaurus. Avoid using idioms or cliché expressions by rewriting them in a creative, original way.

If you’re an international student applying to a US college and you’re comfortable using American idioms or cultural references , you can. But instead of potentially using them incorrectly, don’t be afraid to write in detail about yourself within your own culture.

Provide context for any words, customs, or places that an American admissions officer might be unfamiliar with.

College application essays are less formal than other kinds of academic writing . Use a conversational yet respectful tone , as if speaking with a teacher or mentor. Be vulnerable about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences to connect with the reader.

Aim to write in your authentic voice , with a style that sounds natural and genuine. You can be creative with your word choice, but don’t use elaborate vocabulary to impress admissions officers.

Admissions officers use college admissions essays to evaluate your character, writing skills , and ability to self-reflect . The essay is your chance to show what you will add to the academic community.

The college essay may be the deciding factor in your application , especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

Some colleges also require supplemental essays about specific topics, such as why you chose that specific college . Scholarship essays are often required to obtain financial aid .

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Grammar Do's, Don't of College Application Essays

Wise use of words, grammar and punctuation can help you write a strong, compelling essay.

College Application Essay Grammar Tips

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When writing a college application essay it's best to avoid using contractions, slang or cliches.

Serious college applicants spend a lot of time crafting and telling their stories in application essays. But it’s also critically important that the essay is well written as much as it is well planned, because a few spelling, grammar or style mishaps can give the reader a poor view of an otherwise amazing personal statement.

Just like you could spend months designing the perfect outfit for the prom but have it ruined by wrinkles or stains, you’ll want to make sure that your application essays are free from distracting elements that detract from what you want your audience to see of you.

As you edit your college essay, use this checklist to ensure you produce your best work.

• Write in active voice.
• Vary punctuation.
• Balance paragraphs.
• Don't use contractions, slang or cliches.
• Don't try to sound like Shakespeare.
• Don't jump around chronologically.

Write in Active Voice

In English, many actions can be expressed in either passive voice or active voice. For instance, you can say, “I was accepted by NYU” (passive) or “NYU accepted me” (active).

While the passive voice has its place in writing, the active voice is usually more desirable on college applications. Not only is it more concise, but it also reads as more powerful and proactive.

Consider, for example, the difference in meaning between “I was offered an internship opportunity” and “I pursued an internship opportunity.” The active voice works better because it highlights the applicant’s take-charge attitude, an attribute that colleges value.

Vary Punctuation

A few less-common yet well-placed punctuation marks can give your application essay a sophisticated edge.

For example, consider adding a semicolon to connect two closely related sentences, a colon to introduce an explanation for a claim or a set of em dashes to enclose an important interruption within a sentence. The key is to not get carried away repeating the same mark too many times or using rarer marks where a simple comma or period would do the trick.

Before submission, check your essay for comma splices, the mistake that occurs when a comma is used to separate two full sentences.

Balance Paragraphs

Even though the content may be high quality, an essay containing some short paragraphs and some lengthy ones is visually unpleasing. Readers — admissions counselors, in particular — like to see relative uniformity, or balance, in writing. Because these individuals often skim hundreds of essays a day, coming across a particularly long paragraph can be daunting.

So, keep your paragraphs on the shorter end of the spectrum. Try to limit them to five to seven sentences each, or fewer if your sentences are long. Your paragraphs do not all need to be the same length, but you should avoid significant differences in length that could be jarring.

Don’t Use Contractions, Slang or Cliches

Avoid contractions like "don’t," "it’s" and "they’re" in your essay because they will give your writing an informal feel. Instead, separate and write out the full words.

For this same reason, avoid slang and overused words like “cool” or “amazing” and replace them with longer and less-common words, such as "exhilarating" or "memorable." Also, steer away from cliches, well-known expressions such as “the last straw” or “the light at the end of the tunnel.” Rather than using recycled language, try to express the idea in your own words.

Don’t Try to Sound Like Shakespeare

In response to the previous tip, students sometimes take formal language to an extreme, endeavoring to include as many four- or five-syllable words as possible in their essay. However, this is ill-advised because it will make your essay read as stuffy and unnatural.

Your essay should sound like something you wrote, but have a few sophisticated words peppered throughout it. To that end, you may wish to consult a thesaurus a few times as you craft your essay or after you are finished. This step will help you to substitute common words for more elegant ones. However, you should not change so many words that readers would need a dictionary to make sense of your essay.

Don’t Jump Around Chronologically

In a college application essay, it is inevitable that you talk about the past (your experiences), the present (your interests) and the future (your goals). As you outline your essay, give some thought to how you will order these ideas.

Many students prefer to start with the past and progress chronologically toward the future. Others may start with the present, then discuss the past and end with the future. There is no right or wrong sequence; the order of events should match the type of narrative you want to tell.

However, jumping around too often — for example, from past to future to present within the same paragraph — could dizzy your reader. Therefore, it may be best to limit each paragraph to one general time frame.

10 Ways to Discover College Essay Ideas

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How to Use Contractions in a College Essay

M.t. wroblewski, 21 jul 2017.

From an early age, students are taught to write “like they talk.” This is good advice and often means that writers rely on contractions to convey the verbal shorthand that is so evident in most people’s speech patterns. College essays pose an interesting challenge since academic writing is known as “formal” writing in which contractions are frowned upon or even prohibited. There are exceptions, however, and learning how to use contractions effectively will polish your skills and bolster your confidence.

Check with your instructor about her “written rules of the road.” Some English teachers follow the dictates of formal English at all times and make no exceptions, no matter what the assignment. Keep your essay — and your grade — on track by following her rules.

Always use contractions when you are quoting someone directly or paraphrasing their words in a college essay. Quotes are an important way of capturing a writer’s manner of speech. Consider what would be lost if you spelled out the contractions — and smoothed the language — in this earthy quote: “I’m tellin’ you: They’re not gonna do what they don’t wanna do.”

Use contractions in college essays in which you are allowed to use the first-person “I.” These personal, revealing essays include the narrative and descriptive essays and might also include the comparison-contrast and example essays. In personal essays especially, contractions reflect the way people really speak.

Use contractions consistently throughout your essay and especially within the same sentence. For example, notice the inconsistency in writing: “I’ll tell them when we are together: we’ll persevere or we are doomed.”

Listen to the cadence of your words. When you wish to capture enthusiasm, it might be better to say, “It’s great!” than “It is great.” Likewise, when you wish to express urgency, saying, “No, they don’t!” might be preferable to saying, “No, they do not.”

• Just as some parents pronounce their child’s full name – “John Michael Smith” – when they are angry, so should a writer spell out two words for emphasis instead of using a contraction. Spell out those words you wish to emphasize. The “not” in the sentence “I have not crossed the line” packs greater assertion than saying, “I haven’t crossed the line.”
• 1 Purdue University Online Writing Lab: Contractions
• 2 The New St. Martin’s Handbook; Andrea Lunsford and Robert Connors; 1999.
• 3 The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers; Maxine Hairston and John Ruszkiewicz; 1991.
• 4 Step by Step Writing; Randy Devillez; 1992.
• 5 The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Writing Concisely

About the Author

With education, health care and small business marketing as her core interests, M.T. Wroblewski has penned pieces for Woman's Day, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal and many newspapers and magazines. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University.

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College Nut

Contractions in College Essays: To Use or Not to Use

As a high school student, you were probably taught to avoid contractions in formal writing. However, as you embark on your college essay writing journey, you may be wondering if using contractions is acceptable. The answer is not a simple yes or no – it depends on the context and tone of your essay. In this essay, we will explore the usage of contractions in college essays and the factors to consider before deciding whether or not to use them.

Understanding Contractions

Before we dive into the debate surrounding contractions in college essays, let us first define what they are. Contractions are shortened versions of words or phrases created by combining two words with the use of an apostrophe. For example, “it is” becomes “it’s,” and “I would” becomes “I’d.”

The Case for Using Contractions

Using contractions can make your writing sound more natural and conversational. This can be particularly effective if you are trying to convey a personal story or experience. Contractions can help you establish a connection with the reader and inject some personality into your writing.

Moreover, if your writing style is naturally more casual, using contractions can help you maintain your voice and keep your essay authentic. It is important to remember that college admissions officers are trying to get a sense of who you are as a person, and your writing style is a significant part of that.

The Case Against Using Contractions

On the other hand, some argue that using contractions can detract from the formality and professionalism of your writing. In academic writing, many professors prefer their students to avoid contractions because it can be seen as informal and not serious enough. This can be particularly important if you are trying to demonstrate your expertise in a particular subject.

Another point to consider is that contractions can often be ambiguous, and the meaning might not be clear. For example, “they’re” could be “they are” or “they were.” This could lead to confusion and potentially hurt your essay’s readability and effectiveness.

Factors to Consider

As we have seen, there are arguments for and against using contractions in college essays. Ultimately, the decision to use contractions should be based on the context and tone of your essay. Here are some factors to consider before making a decision:

1. Purpose of the Essay

What is the purpose of your essay? If your goal is to showcase your academic abilities and demonstrate your mastery of a subject, it might be best to avoid contractions. However, if you are telling a personal story or trying to connect with the reader on a more emotional level, contractions might be appropriate.

2. Target Audience

Who is your target audience? If you are writing for a formal academic audience, it might be best to avoid contractions. However, if you are writing for a more general audience, using contractions can make your essay more engaging and accessible.

3. Personal Style

What is your personal writing style? If you naturally use contractions in your writing, it might be difficult to avoid them without sounding stilted or awkward. It is important to maintain your voice and authenticity in your writing.

4. Instructions

Always be sure to follow the instructions provided by the college or university. If they explicitly state that contractions should be avoided, then it is best to follow their guidelines.

In conclusion, the usage of contractions in college essays is not a simple matter. It depends on various factors such as the purpose of the essay, target audience, personal style, and instructions. Ultimately, the best approach is to write in a way that feels natural and authentic to you while considering the context and tone of your essay. Remember, the goal is to showcase who you are as a person and a writer, and using contractions may or may not be the best way to achieve that.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can i use contractions like 'don't' in a college essay, or is that too informal.

Quick query for y'all: Are contractions like 'don't' and 'won't' a big no-no in a college essay, or are they okay to use? I want my essay to sound conversational, but I'm worried about coming across as unprofessional.

Hey there! Your question is something many students ponder over while writing their essays. The use of contractions in college essays isn’t a strict taboo. In fact, if contractions will make your essay sound more natural and conversational, they can actually be a plus. While the college essay is a formal piece of writing, you don't want it to sound too academic, as that may make admissions officers lose focus. The key is to ensure your tone matches the message you’re trying to convey.

If you’re sharing a personal story, contractions are entirely appropriate. For instance, if you're writing about a casual conversation with a friend that led to an epiphany, using contractions would match the tone of that experience. However, if you’re discussing a more formal or serious topic, like your work nursing animal back to health during your volunteer work at an animal shelter, it might be better to avoid them.

A good rule of thumb is to read your essay out loud. Does it sound like you? If there are any places where you stumble, there's probably a wrinkle there that needs to be ironed out—you shouldn't be tripping over your own story! Your essay is a chance to showcase your authentic self, so your voice should be naturally yours. So, as long as you feel you're telling the story in the way that feels natural to you, don't agonize over how many or how few contractions you use.

If you're wondering how your essay will come across to other readers, you can check out CollegeVine's free peer essay review service, or submit your essay for a paid review by an expert advisor. Asking friends or teachers to read it over can also be a good idea, but having someone who doesn't already know you take a look can help give you a clearer sense of how admissions officers will read it.

Best of luck with your writing!

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6 Grammar Rules You Should Break When You’re Writing Your College Essay

June 14, 2018 by Sharon Epstein Leave a comment

“You can do that?” she asked. “I’ve always been told not to use contractions.”

Like my student, you’ve probably been given a list of grammar rules to follow when you’re writing an English paper. But here’s the catch:

Your college essay isn’t an English paper. You’re telling a story. You’re writing in your own voice. You’ve got creative leeway.

Now to be fair, grammar rules are important. They help us clearly express what we want to say. They allow us to reach our reader in an effective way.

But it’s a big, creative world out there.

Look at me, for example. I wrote dialogue for soap operas. My characters didn’t avoid slang or contractions. If I wanted them to say, “Are you friggin’ kidding me, Alice? I’m outta here! I’m getting a divorce!”—they said that. I love how words sound and how I can combine them to make an impact. This is my style. The college essay is your style.

6 Grammar Rules You Can Break While You’re Writing a Great College Essay:

1. Don’t  Use Contractions. Your essay should sound like you’re telling a story. It should be in a conversational tone. We all speak in contractions, so go ahead and use them. (Although, I avoid “would’ve” and “should’ve” because I think they’re too casual for college essays.)

2. Don’t   Use Sentence Fragments. Surprise! You might actually want to use a sentence fragment in your essay. A sentence fragment is short, so it’s like putting an exclamation mark on an idea. Think about using one when you want to emphasize a point. Here are three examples of sentence fragments:

I needed to find a new way to study. Because mine wasn’t working out .

The mountain was the tallest I’d ever seen. Which is why I knew I had to climb it . 

I finally remembered the answer. After the test had ended.

3. Don’t You Can Start Sentences With And , But and Or .  Want to start a sentence with a conjunction? Go ahead. In fact, you’ll be in good company. Here’s a quote from the Chicago Manual of Style , a guide that’s widely used in publishing:

“There is a widespread belief—one with no historical or grammatical foundation—that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but or so . In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions. It has been so for centuries, and even the most conservative grammarians have followed this practice.”

4. Don’t End sentences with a preposition. We’ve been taught not to end sentences with prepositions, so we re-write our ideas to conform to this rule. For instance, when we want to say , “What space did you park the car in?” we change it to, “In which space did you park the car?”

This type of change often makes a sentence sound more formal. College application essays, though, should be more conversational, and that’s why ending sentences with prepositions is okay.

5. Don’t Use I. You probably know you should use “I” when you write your college essays. But it’s not always easy to write in the first person, especially if you’ve been taught not to voice your personal opinion. It can feel uncomfortable to make that transition.

You can disappear from your story if you write in the third person. For example, if you write, “A change in study habits was needed,” you’ve taken yourself out of the sentence. It feels like you’re a distant commentator, the outsider looking in. Put yourself back in your story. Use I. Instead, of saying, “A change in study habits was needed,” say, “ I decided that I needed to change my study habits.” And don’t be haunted by the third person.

6. No one-sentence paragraphs . One-sentence paragraphs can be amazing.

Toss the notion that all your paragraphs have to be at least three to five sentences. Sure, some paragraphs will be that long. But if a one-sentence paragraph will make your point, provide a transition, or be part of your creative flow, go for it. Don’t go overboard—you’re not writing a poem—but if it works with the rest of your essay, one-sentence paragraphs can do amazing things.

So, traveler, you’ve arrived in the territory of self-expression. You’ve traveled here to tell your story. You’ll still follow some important grammar rules: you’ll use descriptive words, choose the active voice, and make sure your subject agrees with your verb. But it’s time to stretch those creative limbs. And if you’re still not sure breaking these grammar rules is the right way to go, just open up one of your favorite books, by any good author, and read a few paragraphs. Some grammar rules are meant to be broken. So go right ahead.

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Author: Sharon Epstein

College consultant, teaching students how to write memorable college application essays, grad school and prep school essays, and succeed at job and college interviews.

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Can You Use Contractions in College Essays? Exploring Formality in Academic Writing

In the realm of academic writing, the question of whether to employ contractions in college essays has been a topic of ongoing discussion. As students embark on the journey of crafting compelling and impactful essays, one might ponder the role of contractions in striking the right balance between formality and personal expression.

When it comes to college essays, the conventions of academic writing often intertwine with the desire to infuse one’s unique voice into the narrative. The use of contractions, those amalgamations of words that effortlessly condense phrases into a more casual and approachable tone, might seem like a natural choice. However, the landscape is nuanced, much like the intricate layers of an engrossing book that demands exploration.

As we explore the art of essay composition, consider the insights presented in articles like “ How to Start an Essay About a Book ” and “ Can I Start My College Essay with a Quote? “. These resources delve into the intricacies of essay introductions and employing quotes, showcasing the diverse tools at a writer’s disposal.

Just as a well-chosen quote can anchor an essay’s themes, the decision to use contractions can also influence the tone and tenor of your written piece. It’s a dance between the conventional expectations of academic discourse and the desire to captivate the reader with a personalized touch.

So, whether contractions find their place within your college essays or not, the journey of crafting an essay, much like the exploration of a captivating book, demands thoughtful consideration, strategic choices, and an unwavering commitment to the art of expression.

What are Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms of two words that are combined to create a single word. They are commonly used in English to make speech and writing more informal and efficient. In contractions, one or more letters are omitted, and an apostrophe is often used to indicate where the omitted letters would typically be.

For example:

• “I’m” is a contraction of “I am.”
• “Don’t” is a contraction of “do not.”
• “Can’t” is a contraction of “cannot.”

Contractions are frequently used in everyday conversations, informal writing, and even formal writing to add a more conversational tone. However, they might not be suitable for very formal documents or academic writing, where a more precise and professional tone is required.

Can You Use Contractions in College Essays?

Contractions, such as “can’t,” “won’t,” “it’s,” and “they’re,” are common in everyday language. However, in academic writing, including college essays, the use of contractions is generally discouraged. Academic writing aims to maintain a formal tone, convey ideas clearly, and uphold a level of professionalism. Using contractions can sometimes undermine these goals. Instead of using contractions, opt for their full forms, which can help you achieve a more formal and polished tone in your college essays.

Exploring Formality in Academic Writing

Maintaining formality in college essays is essential to demonstrate your respect for the subject matter and the academic community. Here are some pointers to help you strike the right balance between formality and expression:

1. Understanding the Context of Your Essay

Before deciding whether to use contractions, consider the context of your essay. Is it a personal reflection, a research paper, or a literary analysis? The tone and formality can vary based on the purpose of your essay.

2. Embrace the Power of Precision

Academic writing emphasizes clarity and precision. Instead of relying on contractions that can sometimes be vague, opt for explicit phrasing to convey your ideas accurately.

3. Showcasing Your Academic Voice

While avoiding contractions, remember that your academic voice should still reflect your personality. Craft sentences that are engaging and reflective of your thoughts, but do so without resorting to informal language.

4. Using Transition Phrases

Transition phrases such as “however,” “moreover,” and “on the other hand” can help you smoothly connect ideas in your essay. These phrases add depth to your writing without relying on contractions.

5. Proofreading for Formality

During the proofreading process, pay attention to contractions that might have slipped into your essay unintentionally. A thorough review ensures that your writing maintains the desired level of formality.

Addressing FAQs About Contractions in College Essays

Q: can i use contractions in personal statements.

Absolutely! Personal statements often allow for a more conversational tone. However, it’s still advisable to use contractions judiciously to strike the right balance between informality and formality.

Q: Are contractions acceptable in scientific research papers?

In most cases, scientific research papers maintain a formal tone. Therefore, it’s recommended to avoid contractions to uphold the professionalism of your research.

Q: What about creative writing assignments?

Creative writing assignments provide more flexibility in terms of style. While contractions can be used, consider the overall tone and purpose of your creative piece.

Q: How can I replace contractions without making my sentences too long?

Utilize synonyms and rephrase sentences to maintain clarity without sacrificing conciseness. Embrace a thesaurus to enrich your vocabulary.

Q: Is there a specific percentage of contractions to avoid?

There’s no strict rule, but as a general guideline, aim to limit contractions to maintain a formal tone. A few instances for emphasis might be acceptable, but they should be the exception rather than the rule.

Q: Can I use contractions in dialogue within my essay?

Yes, using contractions in dialogue is acceptable, especially if it enhances the authenticity of the conversation you’re portraying.

Final Thoughts

In the realm of college essays, striking the right balance between formality and personal expression is key. While contractions have their place in everyday communication, academic writing leans towards a more formal tone.

By understanding the context of your essay and leveraging the power of precise language, you can create impactful essays that resonate with readers and uphold academic standards. Remember, while contractions can add a casual touch, using them thoughtfully in your college essays is crucial. So, go ahead, and express yourself, but with the appropriate touch of academic professionalism.

Related: Can I Start My College Essay with a Quote? Tips and Insights

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The Editor’s Manual

Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

• Contractions

When to Use (and Not Use) Contractions

Contractions, which are words in which some letters or sounds are omitted (e.g., don’t for do not ), are common in speech and informal usage but generally avoided in formal writing.

• Informal: We don’t know what happened.
• Formal: We do not have sufficient information yet to form a hypothesis.

Contractions are often used and completely acceptable in everyday speech.

• I’m happy to help.
• She’s here.
• I don’t know.
• What’s that?

Only if you want to stress a certain word would you not use a standard contraction in speech and informal usage.

• You do not want to get involved in this. The use of do not instead of the contraction don’t helps stress the adverb not .

In informal writing

In writing, contractions convey an informal tone and replace talking to the reader. They sound normal and natural in creative writing and personal communication.

• I’m on my way.
• That’s fine. Don’t worry.
• It’s all right.
• Sorry I couldn’t take your call.
• Maya knew she shouldn’t answer, but she did.

In ad copy, marketing slogans, and other signage, contractions can help save space and make your message sound conversational and friendly.

• Because you’re worth it. ( L’Oreal )
• Let’s go places. ( Toyota )
• There are some things money can’t buy; for everything else, there’s MasterCard. ( Mastercard )

In creative writing as well, contractions, which are common in speech, can make dialogue sound more natural.

• “Now you said you’d do it, now let’s see you do it.” “ Don’t you crowd me now; you better look out.” “Well, you said you’d do it—why don’t you do it?” — Mark Twain , The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)

In formal texts

Avoid using contractions in academic and other formal writing. Using the complete instead of contracted form lends an appropriate air of formality to the document.

• Informal: We haven’t accounted for changes in pressure in this study. Formal: We have not accounted for changes in pressure in this study.
• Informal: We couldn’t collect sufficient real-world data. Formal: We could not collect sufficient real-world data.
• Informal: It’s important to account for bias. Formal: It is important to account for bias.
• Informal: We haven’t reviewed the financial statements of the subsidiaries yet. Formal: We have not reviewed the financial statements of the subsidiaries yet.

Avoid using contractions in cover letters, personal statements, academic papers, business proposals, and legal documents.

• Informal: I’d appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with you. Formal: I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with you.
• Informal: I’m hardworking and self-motivated. Formal: I am hardworking and self-motivated.

In negative questions

An exception is negative questions, in which contractions are used in both formal and informal usage.

• Shouldn’t / Should not we wait until morning? “Should not we wait until morning?” would sound odd and archaic, even in formal usage.
• Isn’t / Is not the sample ready yet?

Again, you may use the word not separately if you want to stress it.

• Unstressed not : Aren’t you listening? Stressed not : Are you not listening? But not “ Are not you listening?”

Finally, always use the contracted instead of full form in negative question tags.

• Poco said he’d call, didn’t he?
• We should call back, shouldn’t we?

Share this article

Standard contractions are common and sound natural in everyday speech.

Will not is generally used in its contracted form in speech and informal usage ( won’t ). To emphasize the word not , the full form is used instead.

Contractions sound natural in dialogue, which represents a real conversation.

Contractions, which lend an informal tone to writing, are generally avoided in formal texts.

Negative contractions are used in questions in both formal and informal usage.

Contractions in Writing: When To Use and When To Avoid These Conversational Words

by Joe Bunting | 55 comments

If you've ever written an essay or research paper, you've probably been told not to use contractions. However, what about contractions in writing? When you're writing a book, can you use them? Does this differ in academic writing and scholarly writing?

Contractions are a type of informal writing, and yet, they sound far more natural in conversations or narrative driving a fiction book.

But first, what are contractions? Is there a contractions list?

Knowing how to use contractions is an important grammar rule. And when you know how to use them properly—and when to ignore them—you'll probably write a better story.

What Are Contractions? Contractions Definition

A contraction is the shortened form of a word. It combines two words—almost always a noun with a verb—linked with an apostrophe into one, shortened word.

Examples of contractions include it's, wasn't, haven't, and hundreds more (see our contractions list below ).

We use contractions every day, usually without noticing them. Why? Because contractions are simple, easier to pronounce, and part of our vernacular.

However, if you think contractions are a modern invention, proof that the English language is going to the dogs, you couldn't be more wrong.

A Brief History of Contractions

Contractions have been around for a very long time—in English, as far back as the creation of the language itself, when the Angles and Saxons invaded the British Isles and mixed the local Celtic dialects with their Germanic languages (the Germans love contractions and compound words ).

Since then, the list of contractions continued to expand, usually brought by invaders or imported during cultural movements. For a full history of contractions, read this excellent article .

Should Contractions Be Used in Writing?

You might think contractions can't be used in the canons of literature, but this conversational approach appears in literary masterpieces, from Beowulf to Moby Dick to Great Expectations to Ulysses  to modern bestsellers and more (see examples below ).

Even the Chicago Manual of Style recommends the use of contractions in writing, saying, “Most types of writing benefit from the use of contractions” ( 5.103 ).

Most English teachers say contractions should never be used in writing, at least not in formal writing (see here , here , and here ).

However, the reality is that contractions have been used in English writing for over 1,400 years. And yes, they're even used in scholarly articles ( it's about 2,750,000 times, can't about 3,290,000 times, don't about 4,270,000 times).

What are some of the most common contractions? I'm glad you asked:

Top 50 Contractions List

Unsure about which contractions you're using or should be using or what they mean? To help your narrative carry a conversational tone, you can use the list of commonly used contractions below, complete with the full phrase, and an example sentence.

3 Word Contractions List

The following three-word-contractions aren't as common (at least in writing), but they are  awesome:

• He'd've = He would have
• They'd've = They would have
• You'd've = You would have
• We'd've = We would have
• I'd've = I would have
• She'd've = She would have
• Might not have = Mightn't've
• Should not have = Shouldn't've

While experts often discourage the use of contractions in formal communication, you'll probably find contractions of verb phrases used in business or casual conversations—or scenes like these in books—since contractions make for an easier, more casual tone.

Sentences like these sound more natural, and therefore more personal. Like everyday speech.

Let's look at some examples of contractions in literature.

Examples of Contractions Used in Classic Literature

Contractions can be frequently found in literature, both modern and classic.

Here's a list of contractions we found in the literary canon.

Please note that while some say contractions should only be used in dialogue, these examples of contractions were found both in dialogue and  normal prose.

From Herman Melville's Moby Dick,  Chapter Three:

It's the Black Sea in a midnight gale.— It's the unnatural combat of the four primal elements.— It's a blasted heath.— It's a Hyperborean winter scene.— It's the breaking-up of the icebound stream of Time.

From the fourth paragraph of Great Expectations  by Charles Dickens:

I earnestly expressed my hope that he wouldn't , and held tighter to the tombstone on which he had put me; partly, to keep myself upon it; partly, to keep myself from crying.

From Benjamin Franklin's memoir, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin :

He reply'd ,* that if I made that kind offer for Christ's sake, I should not miss of a reward. And I returned, “ Don't let me be mistaken; it was not for Christ's sake, but for your sake.”

From The Picture of Dorian Gray  by Oscar Wilde:

It's absurd to talk of the ignorance of youth.

Ulysses by James Joyce:

Twelve. I'm thirteen. No. The chap in the macintosh is thirteen. Death's number. Where the deuce did he pop out of? He wasn't in the chapel, that I'll swear. Silly superstition that about thirteen.

*Anyone know what this is a contraction of, if it is a contraction at all? I found this by chance and am not familiar with it.

Examples of Contractions in Contemporary Literature

Contemporary literature all but throws out the so-called “rule” not to use contractions in writing. Here are several examples of the way many bestselling and prize-winning authors use contractions.

The first two sentences of Neil Gaiman's American Gods :

Shadow had done three years in prison. He was big enough, and looked don’t -[mess]-with-me enough that his biggest problem was killing time.

From the first chapter of The Name of the Wind  by Patrick Rothfuss:

They’d been coming to the Waystone every Felling night for months and Kote had never interjected anything of his own before. Not that you could expect anything else, really. He’d only been in town for a year or so.

From Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham's By Nightfall :

There’s no accounting, in retrospect, for this lapse in the Harris tradition.

From The Dinner  by Herman Koch**:

Unhappiness can’t stand silence—especially not the uneasy silence that settles in when it is all alone.

From the Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, Wonder Boys,  by Michael Chabon:

Over the years I’d surrendered many vices, among them whiskey, cigarettes, and the various non-Newtonian drugs…

**This is an English translation from the original Dutch, but since Dutch is a Germanic language, I think it's safe to assume the original uses contractions .

Should YOU Use Contractions In Your Writing?

If you're like me, you learned not to use contractions in school. In fact, I spoke with a friend who was trained as an elementary school English teacher, and she was taught to actively discourage students from writing with contractions.

Personally, I think the no contractions rule is outdated and actually ignorant of the historical foundations of the English language (again, contractions were in Beowulf , people!).

I will say that if you're writing formal essays in high school, college, and grad school, you should probably avoid contractions, if only so you don't ruin your grade.

However, if you're writing something creative, and especially if you're writing dialogue , you need to be using contractions.

Real people use them, and so should you.

More Contractions Resources

• Cool Chart of Common Contractions
• Exhaustive List of Contractions (Wikipedia)
• Did the Coen Brother's Get Contractions Right in True Grit (Grammar Girl)
• 9 English Contractions You Should NEVER Use

How about you? Do you think contractions should be used in writing? Why or why not?  Let us know in the comments section .

To get a sense of how weird it is to not  use contractions, write a scene using the following prompt without using a single contraction.

Prompt : A couple is on their first date at a trendy restaurant. One is allergic to shellfish, the other can't stand brussel sprouts.

Write for fifteen minutes . When you’re finished, share your work in the Pro Practice Workshop here . 

Not a member yet? Join us here !

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

55 Comments

He reply’d,— I’m pretty sure that is just how they wrote back then. Back in the day S’s used to look like f’s without the line crossing the middle of it. So who knows. English is weird. <3

‘Tis indeed! Thanks Kevin.

Yes, Joe. By your definition of contractions (a combination of two words) this is not one. It is, however, a contraction in the sense of the apostrophe serving in place of dropped letters. Spelling in Franklin’s time was still in flux; this is the word we would now spell as “replied.”

I’ve always loved contractions. It makes your writing look more human, not too formal for regular people. I use them all the time in my novel, especially in dialogue (It sounds so weird without them!) But what about in articles and blog posts? Do contractions belong there, or should that be more formal? “Whatsoever ye do, do unto the glory of God”, Reagan Colbert

I think they absolutely belong, Reagan. As you can see, I use them frequently in my posts. I also use them when writing for newspapers and magazines. The only time I would consider avoiding them is if I had to write a scholarly paper or went back in time to write an essay for school (and even then, I’d probably still use them for the former).

That’s a relief! I’ve used them in my articles (I think I even used them in the guest post I sent in!) I’m glad it’s alright! Thanks, Joe!

I use them in dialogue all the time, but it can get confusing in articles and blog posts. I guess clarity is the rule.

When contractions aren’t used, writing sounds stiff and unnatural. It’s a pet peeve of mine. People, please use contractions!

Preach, Michelle!

I disagree. If it is written well, I do not notice if there are or aren’t contractions. I know every editor I have ever worked with has removed them.

It’s great that you found Boz, a.k.a. Charles Dickens using contractions, Joe. He was paid by the word. Great resources here!

I thought of that, too, Lee! I figured he would have avoided them to make a little more $.

It is possible that a modern printer added the contractions and they are not what Dicken’s actually wrote. You would need to read a first edition to see if that was how it was originally printed and an actual manuscript to see if it is what Dicken’s wrote. Never assume.

I don’t see as using contractions is any better or worse than not using contractions. And it’s been long enough since I was in a high school English or grammar class that I don’t honestly remember what the rules were!

I find myself writing without contractions in first drafts of almost everything (blog posts, journals, novels). Sometimes I convert to contractions during the editing phase and sometimes I don’t. It depends entirely on the purpose for the post or article or the person who is telling the story if it’s a novel. Some of my characters are very formal and would never think of using a contraction!

I think that’s great, Carrie. It all depends on the character and you’re own voice! I think it’s fascinating that you write completely without them in first drafts, though. Impressive!

I suppose that is my natural writing voice. I do hear complete words (not contractions) when I’m writing. Usually there’s emphasis on one or the other in my mind. “That IS” in the sentence above, for example.

Besides, I’m old enough to find comfort in non-contractions, odd though that may sound.

I write without them except in dialogue.

Thank you! Yes, I used them all through my book even though Word 2010 and 2013 didn’t like them at all. I first only used them in quotes. They didn’t care for those either, so I began using them as I would talk naturally. Others liked it and I continued the use. I was taught in both high school and college not to use them. However, in doing research for my dissertation, there were contractions. I only used them in quotes then.

Thanks for this article. Yep, you made my day.

Very interesting that you found contractions in scholarly research! Isn’t that interesting that they say don’t use them in formal, APA writing and yet they’re clearly used by the pros.

I asked for student beta readers for my first book. I had used no contractions except in dialogue. My students all said it sounded like a teacher wrote it, stiff. contractions are goo.

Contractions are good indeed! Thank you Sandra!

My thought on contractions is, we use them in everyday speech, why should we not use them in everyday writing? That said, I also feel that if we are using formal writing, such as official correspondence, legal documents and the like, then perhaps contractions should be avoided. In dissertations or other submissions for grades, one should follow the standards of whatever form (APA, etc.) required by the school, and in addition it might be best to cater (pander?) to the taste of the particular professor who will be doing the grading. As for my own writing (a series of SciFi novels), it always depends on the particular character. My main character, Ari, is a professor of ancient languages who grew up in rural Florida, so her usage depends on whether her speech is in a more or less formal setting. My aliens (also human, but transported to another planet millennia ago) in the first novel tend to be of the upper class, and so their speech is a little more educated and formal. Thus, I rarely use contractions for them, as that automatically sets them somewhat apart and points up the fact that they are not from the same background and culture as my MCs. My second MC, Danny, grew up on the streets in Brooklyn, so his speech patterns differ wildly from Ari’s; much less formal, and full of contractions and street slang. He was reasonably well educated before being out on the streets, though, and in later books he makes the effort to use correct English, although under stress he tends to revert to street-speak. So it all depends on the character, and on the situation as well.

I definitely agree. You have to match your use of contractions to your own voice and the voice of your characters. Thanks for the great discussion!

Good article, Joe! I love contractions! They make words flow better. I am careful not to over use them, though.

That’s great, Katina. Thank you for your comment!

Reply’d is the contracted form of ‘replied’ from Early Modern English (which is sometimes called ‘Elizabethan’ or even ‘Shakespearian English’).

Many contractions are now considered archaic, but to be found in poetry and older literature.

I researched older Englishes whilst I was developing a short comedy-horror story about a travelling troupe of dead writers.

Very interesting David! It seems so strange that they would contract a single word in a way that wasn’t really more efficient (it’s the same number of characters if you count the apostrophe). Why do you think they did it? Anyway thank you for the info!

Also that would be a fun story to research!

That story was a hoot to both research and to write.

There was actually a fad about apostrophes back then.

Although I have never found anything to confirm this idea, I suspect that the Elizabethan rage for contractions was motivated in part by the need to fit in so much information on promotional posters for theatrical performances. This was the time of the major reforms of theatrical performance law in Britain, and the theatre was a boon industry.

Although there is not much of a savings to be found when contracting ‘replied’ (or ‘replyed’, one of many alternative spellings which were acceptable back then) by the time you add the plethora of other word contractions that were available back then, the space savings could be considerable.

Contractions were, at the time, thought to give the impression (pronounced im-preh-shee-on, by the way — many words were also pronounced differently in Early Modern English) of sophi-is-tick-ay-shee-on and wit.

Th’re b’ n’ccountin’ f’r taste, Sirrah!

And let us not forget the Elizabethan belief that “more is more”.

They loved to pump up their posters with florid prose and grandiose word counts.

To an Elizabethan, many contracted words were to be preferred to fewer full-length words.

Contractions made the fashionably high word counts viable.

Ha! So interesting. THANKS David.

It had to do the number of letters a printer owed. The less ruptable printers had lower quality letters and fewer of them so they could only use 1, 2, 3, 4 letter A’s on a single page. In old fashioned type, the ‘ used as much space as a letter unless it was fudged by the printer, which also happened to save space.

There is that as well! I forgot the old typographer’s cheats!

My blog post on this should be out on Wednesday. I don’t go to much in depth on this, but maybe a few articles on it would be fun. I used to a typography nut. I worked as a typesetter for a few years and got hooked.

Consider me part of your waiting fanbase!

May be the same number of characters, but an apostrophe takes up less space than an e… Also, let’s not forget that language itself goes through fads. Sometimes certain things are “in” and then things change…

Joe, back in “the day,” Shakespearian English tended to sound each syllable. For example, we still use the archaic but still trendy spelling “shoppe” for boutique type stores. Back in Chaucer’s day, it would have been a two syllable word, pronounced shop-peh. So Replied would have been a three syllable word, which also points up Franklin’s spelling: it would have been replyed — re-ply-ed. Using the apostrophe removes the third syllable by elision, giving us our modern-day “replied.”

Wow. I did not know that! Fascinating. Thanks Warjna!

It had to do with the number of each letter contained in a typeset. Remember the type was manually set per page and they would sometimes run out of the most frequently used letters like e and I. It wasn’t they could run to the letter store and buy more.

Contractions can be used to identify individuals. Whose talking, Data or Lore? If a contraction is used, it’s Lore because Data did not use contractions. I have also noted some cultures ted to avoid contractions when speaking English.

Great blog post. I love that Beowulf used contractions. Just to avoid any unnecessary confusion: he’d is also he had, and she’d is also she had. I think—depending on one’s writing style—those are probably used more for “had” than “would” in most fiction. But I certainly could be wrong.

Indeed, Paul!

Here is another reason to be very careful when if using contractions in fiction.

I gauge the use of contractions by what tone I want to come through to the reader. Example: I don’t want that. – The tone is casual and relaxed. — I do not want that. — The tone is pointed, maybe even angry depending on the sentences around it.

Totally, Glynis. It affects where the emphasis is placed in that example.

It depends on the piece. And you really have to be consistent too. In some cases–especially nonfiction–it can appear lazy. In fiction it almost always works well.

Give me an example of where it appears lazy. I think that’s the myth we repeat, but I don’t think it plays out in real writing.

I must dig up that eBook I was asked to review. It used so many contractions it was hard to follow some paragraphs.

Good point. I’m sure I can find some examples, but the problem alone wouldn’t be contractions–rather it would be the overall writing. (One of the main issues lack of clarity.) The overuse of contractions would just be a symptom of the bigger problem.

Joe, very good information on contractions and great discussion on this subject. However, I believe you missed an interesting part of the history of contractions. They were employed by printers because they only had so many vowels to set a page so they would replace vowels with apostrophes. The contraction ‘reply’d’ is most likely replied only the typesetter ran out of vowels,that is, if you were looking at an accurate reproduction.

What you do not touch on is the reason for the no contraction rule in schools, it is because students will use them out of laziness to boost word count while doing less writing. Their use in fiction should be a considered choice and not simply because it is the way people talk or just because. I will cover this more in my own blog post.

In the days of Dickens, Franklin, Shakespeare , contractions were a function of the constraints of typesetting and because people have always used them in speech, actors especially. If you look at your examples, the contractions are used to create a tone. If the tone of your work is conversational, use them, but do it sparingly.

My last point and one that causes the most problems are the use of negative contractions like Don’t and Can’t. Using these causes sentences to be written in a negative construction and that can be confusing. Along with that be very careful of the ‘ve contractions because they put you in the past perfect tense that leads down the road to wordiness and awkward paragraphs.

It boils down to this, make it choice not a habit and know what the contraction is that you are using. As with any writing rule, you have decide when it applies and when throw it out the window.

Excellent analysis. I believe the greatest problem with rules in schools is that nobody takes the time to explain why they exist!

I am not certain, but I believe the use of “reply’d” was to simply eliminate writing out the entire word, “replied.” I have noticed in some writings, the use of contractions being implemented to show how we pronounce words, sorta speak; used in dialogue mostly. To make it a bit more informal perhaps?

Very sorry but you are TOTALLY wrong.

Contractions should NEVER be used in WRITING to imitate speech UNLESS it is NARRATIVE used in a novel.

Whilst we use contractions in our speech the use of contractions in writing actually makes it MORE DIFFICULT to read documents concisely.

Using contractions in writing has ALWAYS been regarded as sloppy or simply lazy as is the use of slang or expletives.

The continual use of expletives shows a TOTAL disrespect for other people.

Hence the NO CONTRACTIONS rule is the ultimate in 100% correct usage.

However there are some 147 different forms of the English language globally including very many different dialects.

The USA also uses different spellings (e.g. honour versus honor) and different wording.

e.g. UK English calls a car luggage compartment a boot whereas US English calls the luggage compartment a trunk. Similarly bonnet versus hood.

There are many other examples.

Ian McGregor

What’s even MORE wrong is people using ANNOYING capitalization, thus PATRONIZING the readers and implying their inability to discern emphasis, while at the same time UNDERMINING their own ability to write comprehensible text. Not to mention that it’s typographically WRONG to misuse capitalization for emphasizing.

This is ESPECIALLY true if said person claims superiority by having the ONE AND ONLY 100% correct answer to a literary discussion, yet is UNABLE to use a god damn comma.

I SUGGEST you pay a visit to your nearest ironmonger and have him give you an introduction to POTS and KETTLES.

Gregor McIan

Gregor McIan (I see what you did there), your reply made me smile, so thanks. I totally agree with you.

Ian McGregor sounds like a pompous nitwit. If he ever wrote for me, I’d definitely insert contractions into all his work. If he complained, he’d simply be dropped. His loss.

You didn’t mention usage of He’d as he had

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Can you Use Contractions in Essays: College or Formal writing

Most students tend to confuse that it is acceptable to write the way they talk. That is so because these students utilize the patterns from the spoken language to write down their points. Unfortunately, the situation may change as you switch to academic writing.

Before you write an essay, it is wise to consult your professor regarding the writing rules. Some will allow the use of pure formal English without making any exceptions. Knowing the teacher’s position on this matter will make your work easier. 

What Are Contractions?

A contraction happens to be a short form of a given word. It usually combines two words. Some people prefer to avoid a contraction in their formal writing because they will weaken their sentence structures or make the sentence appear too casual. 

However, contractions are helpful when you are handling professional writing. Furthermore, some people use them to add style and the entire format of the text. Generally, many have been using contractions when giving a speech. 

In many cases, when you are using contractions, use a noun and a verb with an apostrophe as a link. For example, here is the list of such words:

• Do not = don’t
• Would have = would’ve 
• Cannot = Can’t
• Is not = isn’t
• I am = I’m 
• They are = they’re 

Furthermore, you can still have a three words contraction as indicated below:

• Should not have = shouldn’t’ve 
• Might not have = mightyn’t’ve 

So, why use contractions? We use them in plain English since it is the way you can express yourself as you talk. When you write using contractions, the document will flow better and make the reading easier. 

Contractions will make the writing seem natural. Also, research says that the use of contractions enhances readability. If your writing sounds too strange without contradiction, then you should use them. 

Can you use Contractions in Essay Writing

Ideally, contractions in essay writing may not be welcome but are used by students if their instructor accepts them. Use the contraction as you paraphrase one’s work or when you are using a direct quote.

The quotes are necessary to enable readers to know the unique writing style of the author. When you eliminate contraction, it will be hard to deliver the author’s speech well.

Ideally, you cannot use contractions in writing essays, whether in college or formal writing because they are informal elements. It is highly encouraged not to use them. However, you can insert contractions in college essays if you are representing a direct quote from another writer or a source.

Again, you can use the contractions when using the first person in the same essay. You will encounter personal essays which use descriptions or a narrative approach. When you are writing personal essays, you can use contractions to indicate the real way of speaking. 

Ensure you are consistent as you use contractions. For example, the sentences will be inconsistent if you use a standard form like “I will “and then use a contraction. 

How to use Contractions in College Essays

At the early ages of students, their teachers taught them to write as like they talk. As such, it implies that authors rely on contractions to promote verbal shorthand, which is evident in people’s speech patterns. 

When it comes to college essays, the colleges pose an exciting challenge.

We all know that academic writing is formal; hence using contractions has its limits, or other colleges prohibit them. 

The best way is to learn how to use contractions and polish your skills to bolster confidence. 

Before you begin to write your college essay, confirm with your instructor concerning the writing rules. 

As earlier captured, some instructors will adhere to the dictates of formal English without making any exceptions no matter the nature of the assignment. As such, you will have to keep the rule for you to secure good grades.

A contraction is informal writing which one should avoid using in scholarly writing unless except for given circumstances. Such situations could be:

1. When Quoting

You can use contractions when you are quoting someone directly. Alternatively, you can use them as you paraphrase their words in the essays.

You involve quotes when you are capturing the manner of speech or the writer. 

You should consider what is going to get lost if you eliminate contractions.

You must not lose the meaning when you are removing the contractions.

For example, you can quote a direct speech as follows, “We don’t wanna do such tasks.” 

2. When Using First Person 

It is in the right direction to use contractions as you use the first person. It comes true when you are writing personal and revealing essays.

Those are narrative and descriptive essays which might also include comparison and contrast. When you are using contractions in personal essays, you are reflecting on how one speaks.

It is a way of expressing an individual voice. That is why it is not right to use such words. Therefore, consider replacing first-person language in academic writing unless when you are writing a personal narrative or an individualized story.

3. Footnotes 

One can use contractions when writing footnotes in the formal piece of writing. It is a way of making your writing have a stylish format. 

Read our comprehensive guide on how to write essays and learn more about the tenets of essay writing that make it inappropriate to use contractions.

Effects of Contractions in Essay Writing

1. pace and voice .

Authors use contraction to deepen the character and the voice. You can use a contraction form to enable the readers to know the regional accents. Furthermore, it promotes the personality traits and the person’s social status when you are passing your message in the essay.  

2. Narration Style 

Contractions are key aspects of allowing the author to narrate a story. It will enable the writer to speak to the audience directly. It makes the reader feel a sense of belonging by knowing that the writer was addressing them.

When to Avoid Contractions 

The writer should refrain from using contractions when writing professional reports, formal essays, and other scholarly writing.

Although you can find contractions in many writing pieces in life, you should never use them if you want to restore a professional tone.       

FAQs on Contractions

Are contractions bad in essays.

Contractions are okay when you are doing formal writing. They become essential when you are communicating a message in effortless style and tone. It makes the audience think that you are talking to them directly.  As such, the contraction makes the essay appear personal and friendly. 

Also, it could be authentic to use the contraction when you are writing dialogue. It is good to replicate the style of talking when you are quoting people from their speech. For instance, if you are giving a client testimonial, it is vital to use contractions. 

Should You Use Contractions in a Personal Essay?

It is much acceptable to use contractions in personal essays. You need to use contraction since you will be describing a key lesson that you extracted from your life experience. Such a report will be representing a key event from the first-person angle. 

When you use contraction in the personal essay, it compliments a conversational tone to express the writer’s talking style. The personal essay could be any memorable moment that changed you to have a different opinion.

What should you not Use in a College Essay?

We have a set of contractions that one should avoid in life. They include words like ain’t, should’ve, could’ve, etc. Instead, you can use a two-word version since it makes your writing appear awkward. 

When you are writing a college essay, avoid passive voice. Again, you should not use abbreviations. You should only use concrete and literal language. Avoid repetition as it makes the essay dull. 

Contractions are part of your writing process when you are working on your college essay.  As a rule of thumb, you should only use them once your lecturer gives you a nod. You should never apply them if the lecturer dislikes them lest you face cancellation of the paper. 

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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College Essay Contractions: Some Grammar Rules to Follow

• by Joseph Kenas
• February 11, 2024

To write a good college essay, there are factors you have to put into consideration. There are guidelines worth following to the latter to get the right grade. Ensure you avoid mistakes that might cost you entry into the college of your choice. You need to be careful with the use of contractions. 

Contractions are the short form of two words : don’t instead of do not. Usually, there will be an apostrophe replacing the missing word. These contractions are mostly used in informal writing, such as dialogue and speech.

But avoid using them in formal writing such as essays. However, there are circumstances where the use of contractions in essays is acceptable , for instance, when quoting a speaker.

What are Contractions in an Essay?

A college essay is a form of formal writing. That being the case, as a student, you need to avoid contractions. They are less formal. However, you can use them in narrative essays or just sparingly in your writing.

When using the contractions, they tend to reduce the word count of your essay.

This might be a great way of ensuring you easily maintain your optimal word count.

You can reduce two words into one hence not exceeding the word count set by far.

Normally a college application essay ought to be personal. You have to tell a story that will fetch you good grades. In this regard, you can use the contractions.

However, there is always a catch. You should not overuse those short forms. Only use them when they make sense. Overusing them can turn your application as the worst essay to be received.

Can I Use Contractions in a College Essay?

Many tutors discourage the use of contractions when writing college essays. But there are circumstances whereby the use of contractions is acceptable.

For instance, you can heed that call when the instructions allow us to use short forms of words. Before you begin writing your essay, ensure you read the instructions thoroughly. You might find that clause allowing you to use contractions.

There is always a clause in the essay instructions that tells you how many words you should write. Know what universities look for in your application.

Unfortunately, when it comes to word count, a significant number of students are prone to having a challenge.

Either they might end up with a lower or higher word count. However, you can avoid facing such instances. Embrace the use of contractions to ensure you manage your word count.

If the essay is not clear about the language to use, it opens a window for you to use contractions. However, there will always be the need to be careful not to overuse them.

You can also choose to inquire from your tutor to ascertain if you can use contractions.

This prevents you from going against the tutor’s rules while assessing your essay. So do not just assume that since there are no instructions not to use shortened words, you can use them. 

Analytical, argumentative, extended, and compare and contrast essays are normally formal. Therefore, any student undertaking those essays should desist from the use of contractions.

But with college application essays, you can break some rules. Since they are less formal, you can insert some contractions. The admissions board might be lenient and not penalize you for using them.

When quoting speeches in your college essay, you can use contractions. This allows you to write the exact words said by the speaker. It brings authenticity to the message you are attempting to pass across. The message is raw without any form of manipulation. For direct speech, do not shy away from using words such as doesn’t.

If you want your college essay to be casual and connect with the tutor on a personal level, then use contractions. They provide personalization to your message. You can easily speak your mind and tell your story. And that is the essence of a college application essay. You have to make it personal to tell the admissions board about yourself.

Why Using College Essay Contractions is Not Recommended

As stated earlier, most college essays require you to use a formal writing format. For instance, if your essay is argumentative, you have to show the seriousness it deserves. You have to avoid using contractions.

They will not show the weight in the message you are passing across. This is also the case when writing an analytical essay.

You have to ensure that you avoid shortening words at all costs.

There is always the tendency of overusing contractions.

This is why most tutors do not recommend it. Even if the instructions allow you, ensure you use them sparingly.

The flexibility of using shortened words is not a go-ahead to overuse them. Take time and write words in full so that your essay does not seem like a text message.

Once you finish writing your college essay, read it aloud to ensure your tone is consistent. This is very important in making your essay appealing to the assessment team.

Shorten words are bound to derail the consistency of the tone you are using in your essay. So how do you avoid such an incidence from happening? Even if using shortened words is acceptable as per the instructions, make sure you maintain a formal tone.

Fulfilling the essay word count is not a walk in the park. At some point, the shortened words might make it hard for you to achieve the set word count. It will be prudent to write words in full so that you do not fall short of the threshold. So even if you want to prenasalize your essay, ensure you also consider the word count. 

And if your essay requires you to use a professional tone, then using short words is not a good idea. It is, therefore, your duty to avoid them as much as possible.

The use of contractions makes you sound less professional. Remember, contractions are popular in casual conversations and writings. Therefore, they might not be ideal if you want to present your message formally.

Tips on How to Avoid Contractions in College Essay

Most students find it hard to avoid contractions when writing college essays. Even worse, some go to the extent of overusing shortened words. However, there is always to avoid such a mistake. Here are some of the tips that you can use:

1. Normalize Writing Words in Full

This will give you the habit of not using short words. You will become a master in this art since practice makes perfect. And if you constantly practice not to overuse them, you will kill that tendency.

2. Reading the Instructions

Some students do not pay attention to the written instructions. This is where the rubber meets the rod. There might be a clause that requests you not to use contractions. So, if you do not read the instructions, you might make the mistake of using contractions.

3. Respect the Word Count

Maintaining your word count can be a problem. One of the reasons you might not achieve the word count is by using shortened words since they reduce the number of words. If you want to respect the set word count, then ensure you avoid contractions.

4. Seek your Tutor’s Guidance

Ensure you inquire from your tutor if you need to use contractions. You will get the guidance you need so that you do not make any mistakes in regard to shortening words.

Most students tend to use contractions in their college essays. If you intend to sound personal and casual, using contractions is not a crime. Do not just overuse them. But if you have to sound professional, avoid contractions like the plague.

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

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Essential Grammar Rules For Your College Apps

←Creating the First Draft of Your College Application Essay

How to Use Rhetorical Devices in Your College Essay →

There’s significant variation, in terms of advice, on what grammar to use on your college essays and free-response sections. We’ve already covered what you could talk about in your essay and how your should frame it , so now let’s dive into the way you should speak to your experience.

Some think that a college essay should resemble an academic essay (don’t use the word “I” and only use formal language, for example) but in our opinion, that’s impractical. These topics are about you. You have to speak from personal experience.

The same idea goes for a conversational style. We think that an easygoing, non-stiff tone works best. In essence, be somewhat casual while still using correct spoken grammar conventions. Luckily, since college admissions officers get applications from around the world (and since students have vastly different ways of writing and speaking) they’re used to a variety of styles. There isn’t one correct way to do it, so long as it sounds like you.

Below, we provide some examples of ways to write casually without sacrificing grammar; these are also some of the most common mistakes we see. These rules are applicable for a college essay but can also be used elsewhere in your application—the key here is consistency. Your voice needs to sound the same across essays, free-response, and short answers, otherwise it’ll sound like someone else is writing it for you.

Use Contractions

This one can generate some passionate dialogue (i.e., it’s a bit controversial) but we say go for it. Contractions are an important part of the spoken English language, and they instantly help readers get into a casual, conversational voice as they read the essays to themselves. Admissions officers may play an official role, but they’re people too. They like know that you’re confident and clear, and that you’re bringing them into the story instead of isolating them.

Take a look at these two sentences. Which makes you feel like you have a better connection with the writer?

• I do not have to provide an extra receipt, so I did not—and that is my mistake.
• I don’t have to give an extra receipt, so I didn’t—and that’s my mistake.

The shortened words of #2 help the language seem less stiff and ease the flow of the sentence. Since most people read out loud in their own voice, it reads more smoothly as a spoken, conversational sentence. It’s a small distinction, but an important one.

You won’t be able to use contractions for everything, especially if it sounds weird to do so. The best rule of thumb is to read out loud. When you’re tempted to make a contraction, do it. When it sounds weird or it sounds better to place emphasis on each word by separating them (That is my mistake), do that instead.

Focus on Active Voice

You may have heard this one before, because it’s also a tactic you’d use in more formal English. If you have never heard of this rule, in a nutshell:

• A sentence in passive voice takes the actor (the person or thing doing the action) and places it at the end of the sentence: “The ball was thrown by the boy.”
• A sentence in active voice takes the actor and places it at the front: “The boy threw the ball.”

Notice how the active sentence is shorter and clearer. Whenever you can ask the question: by whom? Or by what? That’s often a clue of passive voice. In the example above, the ball was thrown… by whom? The boy. So the boy is the actor and therefore should be the subject.

Occasionally, it won’t be very clear who the actor is. “He is under stress right now.” (by what? It might not be anything) “The racer was uninterested in running.” (by what? Unclear.) What if no actor exists? Sometimes passive construction doesn’t have an easy fix. There are better ways to create a more active sentence, though.

For example: “Right now, the stress affects him.” “The racer didn’t want to run.” In both cases, I chose a more active verb to show movement, instead of the “is (verb)” construction of passive voice. So beware of passive construction even when there’s no actor.

We also understand that sometimes passive voice is necessary. When you need to put focus on the object, not the actor, passive voice makes sense. For example, “I was led by the hand to the stage.” The essay is about you, so we don’t need to know who the actor (the hand-holder) is in this case. Just make sure that every sentence isn’t passive voice. Short, punchy, to-the-point language is a hallmark of effective casual writing.

Watch Your -Ings

In case you want to get into the details, here are the rules: a gerund is a word that adds “-ing” to a verb and uses it as a noun. “I enjoy swimming.” A present participle is a word that adds “-ing” to a verb and uses it as an adjective or part of a verb. “I’m playing soccer tonight.” But the more important point is to watch out for them, particularly the present participle. They can make sentences awkward and interrupt the flow. See the difference:

• “I enjoy swimming” (gerund) vs. “I love to swim”
• “I’m playing soccer tonight” (present participle) vs. “I play soccer tonight”

In both cases the new phrase implies action. Now, there are times when “-ing” makes sense: if the sentence sounds weird without it or if you are literally in the middle of doing something. “I’m doing my homework” makes sense because you haven’t yet completed it. Sometimes you’ll need an “-ing” to show that you were doing something when something else happened.

Again, as before, vary up your structure. If this is something you use a lot, write a first draft and then hit Command/Control+F to find all the places you use it. If it’s a lot, find other ways to convey your ideas using strong verbs.

The Pronoun Problem

This one’s a common but easily fixable problem. Whenever you use a pronoun, it should have a clear antecedent, which is just a fancy word for whatever the pronoun refers back to. So: “My sister swam in a race, and she placed third.” The antecedent for “she” is your sister.

In the case of “I,” the antecedent is already pretty clear. But it’s easy to confuse the reader by not making it clear who’s who:

• “My friends Ashley and Tamra decided to skip the event because she couldn’t miss her sister’s birthday.” (whose sister? Ashley or Tamra?)
• “Once the schools start teaching and the students come back from summer break, they need help with their studies.” (Who is they? The schools or the students?)

In the second example, the answer might seem obvious, but you still have to make it clear. This might add a little awkwardness to a sentence: “My friends Ashley and Tamra decided to skip the event because Tamra couldn’t miss her sister’s birthday.” It’s repetitive. But, now it’s also understandable. To put your reader at ease, you have to make it abundantly clear what you mean. You should never confuse the admissions officer.

One other common problem is a mismatch between antecedent and pronoun. For example, “Every time a student takes a test, they have to use their memory.” “A student” is singular, “they” is plural. You could change “they” to “he or she” or you could change “A student” to “students.” This can make construction a bit awkward, but again it’s more jarring if it looks like you don’t know the rule.

Don’t Use “You”

As we said, feel free to use “I” or “we” in your college essays. This is your story, so tell it. But it would be very rare for you to have a reason to address the admissions officer directly, unless you are somehow writing a note to a specific person. The same is true with imperative construction, a.k.a. telling someone to do something. “Please accept me!” Even though the word “you” isn’t used, the sentence directs the action to the admissions officer.

In the case of the sentence above, there are a bunch of reasons why you shouldn’t say it (don’t beg to be accepted, tell them why you deserve to be selected instead). From a grammar perspective, it takes the reader out of whatever story or anecdote you’re sharing. They expect you to write about yourself, not tell them what to do. Imperative implies an authority that you just don’t have.

It’s easy to fix this problem:

• “Please look at my attached resume for more details.” (implied: You, please look at my resume.)
• “My resume is attached for more details.”

It’s just an easier way to convey information with being overly invasive.

Proofread A Ton

For each rule we could tell you about, there are a million more that might or might not help you, depending on your own unique style. The best way to strike a conversational tone is to pretend you’re saying it to someone else, write it down exactly as you said it, and then clean it up. That might be harder for visual learners who aren’t used to processing information in an auditory way, but it comes with practice.

You could even say an entire paragraph out loud and then use talk-to-text to transcribe it, then fix your content as you go. Again, this doesn’t work for everyone, but try it out. Once you’ve got a draft, read it out loud to yourself a couple of times. Make sure it flows nicely and makes sense in your voice.

Then, because you’re presumably not an expert in English and grammar yet, you need to show it to someone who does. An English or history teacher. A friend of the family. Someone else at school who excels at writing. Ideally, you’d show it to a few people. The more eyes on this essay, the more you’ll understand how others read and interpret it. When someone reads your essay in their voice, how do they say it? What do they hear? If it helps, have someone read the essay out loud back to you to make sure you haven’t structured anything in a confusing way.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Can You Use Contractions in College Essays? How to Use?

You can write a powerful, persuading essay by using appropriate word choice, grammar, and punctuation. Find out whether you can use contractions in college essays.

Students who are serious about attending college take their time when writing and narrating their personal essays. However, just as important as a well-planned essay is one that is well-written, as a few spelling, grammar, or writing-style errors can detract from an otherwise excellent personal statement.

Should you write each word in its entirety or use contractions in a college essay? As long as it makes sense, contractions are acceptable in college application essays. In this kind of essay, contractions work best because they help you make your writing sound more personal.

It is a good idea to speak with your professor about the requirements for writing an essay before you begin. If you read this blog, you can find out more about how to use contractions in college essays.

Table of Contents

Can You Use Contractions in College Essays?

Contraction is not a part of the official academic language, so academics advise against using it at all costs. Even though that’s a rule that applies to academic writing most of the time, there are some circumstances where you might be able to use contractions.

To be clear, many types of essays, such as argumentative writing and the Theory of Knowledge Essay, require in-depth research, formulation of research questions , and formal writing. Contraction usage doesn’t apply in this situation and may still negatively impact your final grade.

It’s a difference when it comes to creative writing, which is an aspect that we tend to see in person as well as in college application essays. It would be completely acceptable to use contractions in your college application essay because they frequently exhibit a high level of personalization.

How to Use Contractions in College Essays?

When students were young, their teachers instilled in them the habit of writing as they speak. As a result, it implies that writers use contractions to encourage verbal shorthand, which is audible in how people speak.

College essays are an exciting challenge that students must overcome. Because academic writing is formal, as we all know, there are restrictions on when you can use contractions or even whether certain colleges will allow them. The best way to boost confidence is to brush up on your skills and learn how to use contractions.

Ask your instructor about the writing requirements before you start writing your college essay.

As was mentioned earlier, no matter the assignment’s requirements, some professors will strictly adhere to the rules of formal English. As a result, you must adhere to the rule if you want to get good grades.

A contraction is a form of informal writing that you should avoid using in academic writing unless absolutely necessary. Such situations could be:

When Quoting

When you are directly quoting someone, contractions are acceptable. As an alternative, you can use them in the essays as you rephrase their words. When capturing a writer’s or speaker’s style of speaking, you use quotations.

If you don’t use contractions, think about what will be lost. When removing the contractions, you must ensure that the meaning is retained. For example, you can quote a direct speech as follows, “Such work is not what we want to do.”

When Using the First Person

Utilizing contractions while writing in the first person is appropriate. Writing frank and open essays makes it come true.

They are narrative and descriptive essays that may also use comparison and contrast. In personal essays, contraction use is a reflection of one’s speaking style.

A person’s unique voice can be expressed in this way. It is inappropriate to use such words because of this. Therefore, unless you are writing a personal narrative or an individualized story, you might want to replace first-person language in academic writing.

When writing footnotes in a formal piece of writing, contractions are acceptable. It gives your writing a fashionable format.

Effects of Contractions on Essay Writing

Pace and voice.

Contraction is a literary device used to enhance voice and character. To help readers recognize the regional accents, you can use a contraction form. Additionally, when you convey your message in the essay, it enhances the personality traits and social status of the reader.

Narration Style

Contractions are essential for the author to be able to tell a story. It will allow the author to address the reader directly. Knowing that the writer was speaking to them creates a sense of belonging in the reader.

Conclusion: Use Contractions in College Essays

Contractions are informal language, so it’s best to avoid using them when writing essays for school or other formal writing. It’s strongly advised not to use them. If you are quoting directly from another author or other source, you may use contractions in college essays.

You shouldn’t overlook a crucial proviso when using contractions in a college essay. Keep in mind that while you have the option to use shorter words in the college essay , you shouldn’t overdo it.

Are Contractions Bad in Essays?

In formal writing, contractions are acceptable. They become crucial when conveying a message with ease in both style and tone. The audience will believe that you are speaking to them directly. Thus, the contraction lends the essay a friendly and personal appearance.

Should You Use Contractions in a Personal Essay?

Using contractions in personal essays is much more acceptable. Since you’ll be outlining a key takeaway from your life experience, you must use contractions. Such a report would give a first-person account of a significant event.

Can You Use Incomplete Sentences in a College Essay?

Writing a snippet is acceptable. Fragments can occasionally even have significant power. It’s okay to start a sentence with “but.” We know your English teacher likely told you in fifth grade that you should never start a sentence with “but.” But, on college essays, you sure can !

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Using contractions in college essays? Yes or No?

<p>I can reduce my word by using them so was wondering if it’s ok to do so.</p>

<p>No, don’t use them!</p>

<p>@HONOURSTUDENT‌ lol, nice</p>

<p>Very cute, honorStudent! @Dhruv97 , of course you can.</p>

<p>Thank you lol I wasn’t sure if he was being serious or not</p>

<p>I am being serious. In my Composition 1 class, the first thing we were told was DO NOT use contractions.</p>

<p>I was worried about this too…</p>

<p>From what I read up on, contractions are okay… just don’t overdo it I guess?</p>

<p>I would say NO, never use contractions in formal writing.</p>

<p>My counselor also told me not to use contractions in my essays. But I feel that my essay sounds better and more personal if I do use them. Now I’m not sure if I should or not. :(</p>

<p>A college application essay is not the same as a research paper or a literature analysis paper, which should be written in a formal academic style usually devoid of contractions. A college application essay is a personal essay, which is a completely different genre. Contractions are fine. Contractions make your writing sound like it is written by a normal human being and not a robot. Your college application essays don’t need to avoid contractions any more than they need a bibliography.</p>

<p>I did not use any in mine, and I still wrote in a very conversational voice.</p>

<p>I used contractions. It’s completely acceptable. As other users have said, a college admissions essay isn’t quite a “formal” writing like a research paper, but it also isn’t as casual as a note you’d write your friend. It should sound intelligent but still conversational, and that’s possible with contractions (in fact, not using contractions can severely diminish the conversational quality of an essay). That being said, you shouldn’t have contractions twice in every sentence. Vary your sentence structure to keep it interesting. </p>

<p>If a college’s view on language is so archaic, pretentious, and simple-minded as to dismiss a well-crafted essay on the grounds of a student daring to participate in linguistic evolution and showcase an authentic voice, they’re really not worth your time or skill.</p>

<p>Use contractions. Break the rules. Anger prescriptivists.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>If you are using a conversational tone, then by all means use them for effect as needed. You think these adcoms who read thousands of essays apiece are the contractions-police? The real sin to commit in your essay isn’t using contractions; it’s boring the reader.</p>

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