Can I use the word “don't” instead of “do not” in a formal essay?
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My teacher (I'm in junior high) wants us to create formal essays, and because I am in an advanced English class, she expects us to have, quite literally, impeccable, well, everything. I am doing a bit of a last minute job, so if anyone could respond quickly, that'd be great.
meaning word-choice formality
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
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up vote
-1
down vote
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My teacher (I'm in junior high) wants us to create formal essays, and because I am in an advanced English class, she expects us to have, quite literally, impeccable, well, everything. I am doing a bit of a last minute job, so if anyone could respond quickly, that'd be great.
meaning word-choice formality
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
My teacher (I'm in junior high) wants us to create formal essays, and because I am in an advanced English class, she expects us to have, quite literally, impeccable, well, everything. I am doing a bit of a last minute job, so if anyone could respond quickly, that'd be great.
meaning word-choice formality
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My teacher (I'm in junior high) wants us to create formal essays, and because I am in an advanced English class, she expects us to have, quite literally, impeccable, well, everything. I am doing a bit of a last minute job, so if anyone could respond quickly, that'd be great.
meaning word-choice formality
meaning word-choice formality
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
asked 3 hours ago
Emma Hong
1
1
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Emma Hong is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
1
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago
1
1
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago
|
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1
Are you using a style guide?
– Laurel
3 hours ago
I've done literally hundreds of papers and essays from high school through grad school, and I never got marked off for contractions: but your teacher may have other ideas. So why not ask her if contractions will be countenanced? I'd be surprised if she wouldn't tell you what's OK and what isn't.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
This is a little bit of a last minute job... I don't think she'd be happy but I know my friends would say that it wouldn't be acceptable. The problem is that in the context, it sounds odd to say "do not".
– Emma Hong
2 hours ago
Is your teacher a native speaker of English? Non-native English teachers seem to have strange idiosyncrasies in the "rules" they attempt to promulgate. But all else being equal, I'm guessing the question depends on the rest of your writing: if your mechanics and style are otherwise fine, and contractions are the only potential transgression, you should do all right. Worst case: you get a warning.
– Robusto
2 hours ago
What country? USA, I've never had a problem. My wife is foreign and she said it was completely unacceptable in formal writing in her country.
– Matt Samuel
2 hours ago