The New Intimacy

Contractions: Put 'em in or keep them out

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Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
Doesn't, wouldn't, it's versus does not, would not, and it is.

Do you think contractions are appropriate for reviews? Do they make the review sound friendly or too informal?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I like contractions in reviews
47  (100%)
I don't like contractions in reviews
Total votes: 47
Poll is closed
10/18/2011
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Contributor: Beck Beck
I would not say I like or dislike. When I write a review though I do not usually use them because I do not want to do the typo. So to avoid the typo or the confusion between it's and its. I just do not use them.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
These are reviews, not essays. Contractions generally make a person sound more approachable and real, so if the time is right, use them. Use whatever your speaking voice is - that's what I always do! Sometimes, in speech, I will not use them. Other times, I will. It truly depends.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
I would not say I like or dislike. When I write a review though I do not usually use them because I do not want to do the typo. So to avoid the typo or the confusion between it's and its. I just do not use them.
"Its" is the possessive, "it's" is a contraction of "it is." Unless you are saying "it is," use "its."
10/18/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I type how I speak. If I would use "don't" when I say something I type "don't." If I would say "do not" then I type that. Depends on the sentence. I don't like when it's spelled out every single time because then I feel like it's too formal, as if it were a school essay.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I type how I speak. If I would use "don't" when I say something I type "don't." If I would say "do not" then I type that. Depends on the sentence. I don't like when it's spelled out every single time ... more
Yes! My thoughts exactly!
10/18/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I type how I speak. If I would use "don't" when I say something I type "don't." If I would say "do not" then I type that. Depends on the sentence. I don't like when it's spelled out every single time ... more
Yep, ditto what Sir said and what you said.
10/18/2011
Contributor: LQ LQ
I tend to use a mix of contractions and the phrases they stand for, but lean toward contractions. When you're writing for a non-academic audience, they just sound more normal/accessible. If I'm going to chat with someone about sex I'd rather hear "Ya know, it just isn't real great" vs. "I did not find the device a suitable sexual accessory." (And, yes, I know "real great" is not proper English.)
10/18/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
These are reviews, not essays. Contractions generally make a person sound more approachable and real, so if the time is right, use them. Use whatever your speaking voice is - that's what I always do! Sometimes, in speech, I will not use them. ... more
This

As long as the reader can tell what you're saying and it's grammatically correct, it's ok in my book.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Kkay Kkay
I think it's unnecessarily formal to skip contractions in reviews. I prefer conversational reviews that focus on individual experience.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I type how I speak. If I would use "don't" when I say something I type "don't." If I would say "do not" then I type that. Depends on the sentence. I don't like when it's spelled out every single time ... more
I'm with stainedclear.

I type as I speak, which is sometimes probably a little too formal... but oh well. I'm not entirely a robot, so I use contractions when they suit.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Paladin Fantasys Paladin Fantasys
I don't think it should be a hard and fast rule which style one would or would not use.
10/18/2011
Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
I'm surprised that there's such a strong consensus among the community, but I'm glad that a relaxed writing style is more acceptable here (because I, too, like to write the way I talk).
10/18/2011
Contributor: Paladin Fantasys Paladin Fantasys
Quote:
Originally posted by chicken12
I'm surprised that there's such a strong consensus among the community, but I'm glad that a relaxed writing style is more acceptable here (because I, too, like to write the way I talk).
As Sling Blade Carl would say, "I like the way you talk."
10/18/2011
Contributor: PiratePrincess PiratePrincess
I use them if they are appropriate. I feel that a more formal writing style would lose some of the appeal that you find in a lot of reviews on the site.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
I speak mostly how I type so...I use a lot of contractions.
10/18/2011
Contributor: The Curious Couple The Curious Couple
It doesn't matter to me one way or the other.
10/18/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I type how I speak, as well. I use contractions because it's more casual and is easier on the word count limit than using separate words in a lot of cases. I often write well over 800 words for the standard template and have to go back and edit it.
10/19/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I like semi-casual, but informative and grammatically correct writing. Contractions are fine, as long as they are used properly. (See Sir's use of "it's" and "its" for more info on this.)

Also, having a copy of Strunk and White's book on hand never hurt anyone.
10/19/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
"Its" is the possessive, "it's" is a contraction of "it is." Unless you are saying "it is," use "its."
I know the difference between them. I do it just because of the typo. I do not want to forget to put in the " ' " That is all.
10/21/2011
Contributor: authorzero authorzero
I'm pretty strict about English use, but I see absolutely no reason why a contraction shouldn't be used in a review. Leave them in.
10/22/2011
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
These are reviews, not essays. Contractions generally make a person sound more approachable and real, so if the time is right, use them. Use whatever your speaking voice is - that's what I always do! Sometimes, in speech, I will not use them. ... more
Well said.
10/22/2011
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I leave them in because that's the way I talk.
10/26/2011
Contributor: UnknownGirl UnknownGirl
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
"Its" is the possessive, "it's" is a contraction of "it is." Unless you are saying "it is," use "its."
+1,000,000

I hate want people get those confused. Just as bad as mixing up 'your' and 'you're' and 'there' and 'their.'

And I agree, unless you're writing something formal, contractions are just fine. Otherwise you come off sounding like a robot.
11/06/2011
Contributor: T&A1987 T&A1987
contractions are usually only taboo in academia. Further, contractions are common in nearly every other type of writing we are exposed to, from novels to newspapers and blogs. Not doing contractions would be a sudden change, not a jarring one, but a change that attracts the eye and slow the momentum of reading. I have not written in contractions here, have you noticed? If so, there is your answer. As long as the most egregious errors, such as its and it's being mistaken there is nothing wrong with contractions.
11/09/2011
Contributor: NarcissisticLust NarcissisticLust
In review writing, contractions are not a problem. Although we have an adult audience, this is definitely informal writing. That being said, thank you to those who never use "lol" or coy antidotes in their reviews. Yes, these are sex toys, but be an adult.
11/09/2011
Contributor: A Woman And Her Wand A Woman And Her Wand
I write how I speak, so, yes I will use them.
11/11/2011
Contributor: A Woman And Her Wand A Woman And Her Wand
Quote:
Originally posted by NarcissisticLust
In review writing, contractions are not a problem. Although we have an adult audience, this is definitely informal writing. That being said, thank you to those who never use "lol" or coy antidotes in their reviews. Yes, these are sex toys, ... more
AGREED! I do sometimes say "haha" though.
11/11/2011
Contributor: Princess-Kayla ♥ Princess-Kayla ♥
Contractions are awesome. I use them in everything I write.
11/11/2011
Contributor: mudpie mudpie
Every time I've made a conscious effort to write without contractions, I've ended up sounding really stilted and awkward. I like the more fun, informal reviews! I don't know, coy anecdotes are more interesting. Is that just me?
11/16/2011