Should you use contractions in college essays?

These essays are less formal in nature than the typical academic essays you wrote in English class. Because they are supposed to be more casual and familiar, it’s often fine to bend some of the rules of the English language. For example, it’s ok to use contractions (such as I’m instead of I am).

Can you use apostrophes in college essays?

1. APOSTROPHES (‘) AND QUOTATION MARKS (“” or ”) Apostrophes are used to make contractions, which combine two words (like you’re and I’m) and possessives, which demonstrate ownership. Apostrophes are almost never used to make plurals, so DON’T DO IT!

Can you use you in a college essay?

On a high school essay, it’s generally not appropriate to use the first-person. Not only is it fine to make “I” statements in your application essays, but colleges expect your essays to sound like you, too! Always be yourself in your application, not the candidate you think admissions committees want to see.

Why are contractions not used in formal writing?

Using contractions in formal writing – such as scholarly works, résumés, essays, or publications – is often frowned upon because some people believe that contractions weaken a statement or make the writing seem too casual for the situation.

How do you avoid contractions in formal writing?

1. Avoid using contractions in formal writing. A contraction is a combination of two words as one, such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “isn’t.” The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal legal writing. Replace them with the two-word version of the contraction.

Is we’ve a formal contraction?

Contraction words are made out of common words, and there are a little over 90 standard contractions….List of Common Contractions.Contraction WordBase Wordsthey’vethey havewe’dwe had or we wouldwe’llwe willwe’rewe are21