Contractions

 

Another aspect of achieving desirable tone and style in your academic writing  is that it is also important to avoid using contractions; e.g. didn’t should be did not.

Contraction Full Form Example
didn't did not He did not give any references.
haven't have not They have not presented yet.
isn't is not He is not an expert.
aren't are not The books are not available.
weren't were not The books were not returned on time.
hadn't had not I wish I had not been late.
can't cannot I cannot speak Japanese.
couldn't could not I could not reach the top shelf.
wouldn't wouldn't I would not do that if I were you.
I'd I would / had I would like a grade 'A', please.

 

Task

Instructions:
Edit these sentences to eliminate the contractions:

1.   
2.   
3.   
4.


 

 

 

Answers

1.    Your answer was:

The correct answer is:
"I would certainly look forward to working with him again.

 
2.    Your answer was:

The correct answer is:
"If you asked the same question in ten or 20 years time, I would probably say, "Yes"."
(This is a conditional sentence.)

 
3.    Your answer was:

The correct answer is:
"But whatever the problems, the play shows fairness and humanity: admirable qualities, I would say, for an educational tour."
(This is a conditional sentence, it is short for "If you asked me, I would say...")

 
4. Your answer was:

The correct answer is:
"I told the teacher I had left my homework at home."
(This is a past perfect tense.)


 

Last updated on: Monday, March 26, 2012