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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Use and legitimacy of "What'd"
Hi, guys
I know that people contract "what did" to "What'd" here and there, and this trend has gained such polularity that it has made it into books (novels and such).
That said, this question's been on my mind for quite some time: did this contraction make it into textbooks on English, or putting it this way, is it considered good English to write something along the lines of "What'd she tell you" in a formal letter for instance? Or is it still on its way there ?
Any intelligence on this would be appreciated
Thanks !
I know that people contract "what did" to "What'd" here and there, and this trend has gained such polularity that it has made it into books (novels and such).
That said, this question's been on my mind for quite some time: did this contraction make it into textbooks on English, or putting it this way, is it considered good English to write something along the lines of "What'd she tell you" in a formal letter for instance? Or is it still on its way there ?
Any intelligence on this would be appreciated
Thanks !
Top answer
Contracting a question word with 'd (meaning did ) is not appropriate for formal writing. But because it's often used in casual conversation, you can use it freely in speaking or in quotes in the dialogue in your novel. CJ
- Contracting a question word with 'd (meaning did ) is not appropriate for formal writing.
- But because it's often used in casual conversation, you can use it freely in speaking or in quotes in the dialogue in your novel.
- CJ
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1 Answers
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Contracting a question word with 'd (meaning did) is not appropriate for formal writing. But because it's often used in casual conversation, you can use it freely in speaking or in quotes in the dialogue in your novel.
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