Crying and cryin'

Question

What's the difference (if there is some) between ending -ing and -in' . I sometimes see e.g. the verb crying write with the apostrophe instead of "g" (cryin'). Is there any difference (maybe in pronunciation)? When we can write an apostrophe and when we can't?

MountainHiker · Accepted Answer

Hi gbkota,

Cryin' is a just a short form for crying. You might use cryin' when you are writing how someone speaks. Often when we speak, our pronounciation is closer to "cryin'" than "crying" with "-ing" being distinctly heard.

When I saw her last night after the party, she said, "My friend Sue is cryin' over a remark someone made at her."

You would not use cryin' in formal writing. It is not really informal either, because usually when you speak informally you would use crying.

There are just some words that seem to allow for this bit of a contraction. Again, it seems to mimic the way we often pronounce words.

hollerin' He was hollerin' loudly last night when he came home drunk. hollering
runnin' He was sure runnin' scared after he had that brush with the law.
cussin' He was cussin' and hootin' at the driver who cut him off in traffic.
etc.

These words tend be used when we are "speaking" or writing for effect. Unless you are deliberately trying to mimic someone's speech or creating an effect (informal), use the -ing form.

Because "cryin'" is nonstandard, the use of the apostrophe is haphazard. Some use it, some don't.

Those who do use it, use just as in most other contactions.

Don't
Can't
Hadn't
etc.

Here, we are just dropping off the "g" so it becomes cryin'.

Hope this helps.

MountainHiker

Gbkota · Answer

Thanks a lot MountainHiker.

Crying and cryin'

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