This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Personal Statements: Would not or Wouldn't?!

Sorry to start yet another panicy PS thread, but is it desirable to shorten words using the apostrophe, or best to use the full two-word version? E.g. Would not vs Wouldn't

This might sound trivial, but every little helps when cutting down on characters! :rolleyes:

I'm applying for English, btw :biggrin:

Reply 1

Apagg

13

Would not is preferable to wouldn't. Contractions are more suited to dialogue than to a formal written piece. Especially with English.

Reply 2

Louize

Agreed. This is a formal piece of writing, no apostrophies or exclaimation marks please. Don't try to be original by using "hip" colloquial language either, you'll just look like a poo head.

would not

would not. do not abbreviate anything

Reply 5

naddles

1

Definitely would not as this is the written mode, therefore contractions should not be utilised. There is a use for A Level English Language after all! :biggrin:

Reply 6

Juno

20

If you abbreviate anything and I review it, I'll tell you off. So, it depends whether you want to be told off or not.

Reply 7

Reading Room

OP

9

Juno

If you abbreviate anything and I review it, I'll tell you off. So, it depends whether you want to be told off or not.

Eek!

Reply 8

Knogle

16

I wouldn't use wouldn't in my PS. :biggrin:

Reply 9

Champagne Breakfast

16

'Would not', unless you're running out of space, in which case 'wouldn't'. However, you have to judge the tone - in some places it's just wrong to put 'wouldn't', in some places, it's acceptable.

Reply 10

mtbab

17

The Ace is Back

'Would not', unless you're running out of space, in which case 'wouldn't'. However, you have to judge the tone - in some places it's just wrong to put 'wouldn't', in some places, it's acceptable.

lol wouldn't is only one less character doubt you that seriously despersate besides never abbreviate lol as i said before

Reply 11

Champagne Breakfast

16

Yeah but you might need to do a lot of abbreviating.

Reply 12

Knogle

16

Perhaps... just that here we've always been told not to use contractions in written speech. Each to his own I guess. :smile:

Reply 13

mtbab

17

Knogle

Perhaps... just that here we've always been told not to use contractions in written speech. Each to his own I guess. :smile:

yeh exactly it is formal writing and you can still expres your own style in a more formal fashion and by putting cannot instead of can't or would not instead wouldn't is simply just good english more that anything else, not detracting from your personal style at all.

Reply 14

silent ninja

19

Would not, cannot, etc
dont use "innit" either :biggrin:

Reply 15

elisabethbridge

1

I'm glad this kind of forums exist. I just realised I have to be extremely careful with my personal statement when it comes to using the language correctly. English is a foreing language to me, and although I know the grammar and the spelling, small things like whether to use contractions or not aren't that clear to me. I'm gonna be so screwed because of my PS :hmpf:

. And no, I am not gonna use "gonna" in the statement :wink:

.

Reply 16

GTi

2

Louize

poo head.

"poo head" LOL

Reply 17

kevvy

elisabethbridge

I'm glad this kind of forums exist. I just realised I have to be extremely careful with my personal statement when it comes to using the language correctly. English is a foreing language to me, and although I know the grammar and the spelling, small things like whether to use contractions or not aren't that clear to me. I'm gonna be so screwed because of my PS :hmpf:

. And no, I am not gonna use "gonna" in the statement :wink:

.

your english seems very good anyway! plus I'm sure they'll take into account that english isn't your 1st language..you'll be fine!

Reply 18

mtbab

17

elisabethbridge

I'm glad this kind of forums exist. I just realised I have to be extremely careful with my personal statement when it comes to using the language correctly. English is a foreing language to me, and although I know the grammar and the spelling, small things like whether to use contractions or not aren't that clear to me. I'm gonna be so screwed because of my PS :hmpf:

. And no, I am not gonna use "gonna" in the statement :wink:

.

lol considering english isn't your first language i like that screwed in in ure vocab lol! i found that rather amusing

Reply 19

HannahZ

4

elisabethbridge

... English is a foreing language to me, and although I know the grammar and the spelling, small things like whether to use contractions or not aren't that clear to me....

You'll be fine. I'm sure they'll take into account the fact that English isn't your first language. As long as you realise that the kind of English we use when talking, in convesrations, text messaging and internet forums isn't acceptable in university essays and dissertations you'll be OK. We all tend to speak in slang but formal written English has to be like the grammar book says and with no contractions. We always use contractions when speaking (even formally).

Personal Statements: Would not or Wouldn't?!

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you