Native speakers of English are taught not to use contractions in formal writing, so we generally don't (except in books). When we speak, however, we use contractions far more often than not. We only use individual words when we want to stress a point (i.e. "I am NOT going to the store today."). recently, I have noticed that non-native speakers seem to avoid contractions.
"I am Christie. I am from America."
"He will not understand why I do not like him."
"She does not eat fish."
Is this because of a fear of making the wrong contraction?
Is this influenced by the lack of contractions in the L1 (mother tongue)?
Or is this just a lack of familiarity of the English contractions and usage?
Any light on this would help, thanks!
Probably a discipline to speak and write English properly.
I always encourage the avoidance of using contractions.
I've not got the impression I am avoiding contractions myself. Am I? But anyway,..
Is this because of a fear of making the wrong contraction?
<em>No.</em>
Is this influenced by the lack of contractions in the L1 (mother tongue)?
<em>We have them in Dutch too.</em>
Or is this just a lack of familiarity of the English contractions and usage?
<em>Like not knowing WHEN to make a contraction? (Otherwise it's almost the same as your first question.) But, no, not that either.</em>
I'm specifically talking about oral or spoken English, not written.
Actually, Amanda, I use "there're" a lot, as in: "there're many ways to make contractions". It's a valid contraction, although a bit awkward to say.
And yes, I know, contractions should be avoided in formal texts, I speak about informal language.
