Contractions in English Exercises: Mastering the Art of Informal Writing
Contractions are a vital aspect of informal writing in English. They are the shortened versions of words that are used frequently, such as “can`t” instead of “cannot” or “won`t” instead of “will not.” Contractions can make your writing sound more conversational and natural. However, the use of contractions is often discouraged in academic and professional writing. Hence, it is essential to know the appropriate contexts for using contractions. This article provides a brief overview of contractions and presents some English exercise to help you master the art of informal writing.
What are Contractions?
Contractions are formed by combining two words using an apostrophe. The apostrophe takes the place of a letter or letters that have been removed from the word. For example, in the contraction “can`t,” the apostrophe takes the place of the “no” in “cannot.” Similarly, in “won`t,” the apostrophe takes the place of the “ill” in “will not.” The list of commonly used contractions in English is extensive and includes words like “ain`t,” “shouldn`t,” “doesn`t,” “it`s,” and “they`re.”
Why Use Contractions?
Contractions can make your writing sound more natural and conversational. They can also help to convey a sense of informality, which may be appropriate in certain situations. For example, if you are writing an email or a text message to a friend, the use of contractions can help to make your message sound more friendly and personal. However, it is important to remember that contractions are generally considered informal, so they may not be appropriate in all situations. In professional or academic writing, for instance, contractions are usually avoided.
English Exercises on Contractions
Here are some English exercises that can help you practice using contractions correctly:
Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the underlined words with contractions.
1. I am going to the store.
2. She is not feeling well today.
3. They do not like spicy food.
4. He will not be able to come to the party.
5. We have not seen each other in a long time.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct contraction.
1. _______ you like some coffee?
2. I _______ seen that movie before.
3. They _______ going to the beach this weekend.
4. _______ not really sure what to do.
5. She _______ always been very supportive of me.
Exercise 3: Choose the correct contraction to complete the sentence.
1. I _______ believe that you didn`t know.
a. can`t
b. isn`t
c. won`t
2. _______ you be joining us for dinner tonight?
a. Aren`t
b. Can`t
c. Won`t
3. _______ they be at the party tomorrow?
a. Will
b. Hasn`t
c. It`s
4. We _______ going to be late if we don`t leave soon.
a. Isn`t
b. Can`t
c. Are
5. _______ been a pleasure working with you.
a. It`s
b. They`ve
c. You`ve
Conclusion
Contractions are a crucial aspect of informal writing in English. They can make your writing sound more natural and conversational. However, it is essential to use contractions appropriately and to understand when they are not suitable for formal writing. Practice the English exercises provided in this article to master the art of using contractions correctly, and you will be well on your way to becoming a proficient writer in the English language.