| Comments | |
|
|
Hi again, Rowland.
Yes, I was also taught to never use contractions in writing except in dialogues. Similarly, my writing was always penalised when I happen to use conjunctions like "but" and "and" at the start of a sentence.
However, I do love to use "however", "although", "despite", "henceforth", "hence"... They add something that I cannot explain to a sentence. They seem to sound more pleasant... if you know what I mean...
Cheers!
Kemmy
|
|
|
Thank you, Rowland, for this article. I've often been confused about what exactly contractions/conjunctions were. Could never get them straight in grammar in school (eons ago). I think I knew, instinctively what they were, but... now I know for sure.
Anyway, most of the time I use these in my dialogue(s).
How about an article about irony. I have recently discovered the true meaning(s) of irony and found that my recent novels did, although accidentally, include irony. I was thrilled to discover this, although it certainly was not deliberate. What does that mean, I wonder?
Clichès - isn't it alright to use them if in one of your characters dialogue?
|
|
|
I prefer to use conjunctions to tie two clauses together. Rarely do I begin a sentence with a conjuction; but sometimes it is a very effective tool to express your thoughts in a more complex way.
|
|
|
I try to balance contractions in my work to what seems to fit. I think I use them a lot more in dialogue, as you would expect, but, as I've never been taught otherwise, it doesn't seem wrong to me to use them elsewhere.
As for 'and' and 'but' I was taught never to start a sentence with them but they have crept into modern writing more and more often and so, without realising it, they have become acceptable in my mind and I no longer notice them. Again, this is only the case if they fit as with anything else.
JD
|