Dear teachers

I came across these in a novel that I'm reading :

" What'd you do? "and " Why'd you do that?"

A.  Is it commonly used in conversation and writing?

B.  Can I say or write " How'd he do that?" instead of "How did he do that?"  and "Why'd, When'd" instead of "Why did and When did?"

C. Is it fine if I say or write" What's he do for a living?" instead of " What does he do for a living?"  and "How's , Why's" instead of "How does and Why does?"

Thanks for answering my quesions

Davidrock65 wrote:

Dear teachers I came across these in a novel that I'm reading : " What'd you do? "and " Why'd you do that?" A.  Is it commonly used in conversation and writing? B.  Can I say or write " How'd he do that?" instead of "How did he do that?"  and "Why'd, When'd" instead of "Why did and When did?" C. Is it fine if I say or write" What's he do for a living?" instead of " What does he do for a living?"  and "How's , Why's" instead of "How does and Why does?" Thanks for answering my quesions

" What'd you do? "and " Why'd you do that?"  - In sentences beginning with pronoun, it’s common to see “I’d prefer…. She’d consider….They’d rather wait…” etc.  The [‘d] is the contraction of “would”. 

A.  Is it commonly used in conversation and writing?  You will find this form of contraction commonly used. In my opinion, it’s fine, only when you can pronounce the subtle [‘d] sound in conversation.  

B.  Can I say or write " How'd he do that?" instead of "How did he do that?"  not why’d do that?” and "Why'd, When'd" instead of "Why did and When did?" - No, in this context, the [‘d] is not the contraction form for [would].  We can’t contract [did] the same way, nor can it be used this way.  We have to spell out [did] in spoken as well as written form completely. i.e. “why did he do that?”,

C. Is it fine if I say or write" What's he do for a living?" instead of " What does he do for a living?"  and "How's , Why's" instead of "How does and Why does?" No for the same explanation as above

Keep in mind, the experts (not self included) are from different parts of the English speaking world and may have contrasting views and opinion on the subject. This only represents what I know as correct.  Opinions welcome!

Often hear people say "What's he mean?" instead of "What does he mean?"

As I had indicated in my last post, if people do say "What's he mean?" the contracted [‘s] is pronounced fast in conversation.  I personally do not recommend the contracted [‘s] for [does] in this context application.  “What does he mean?” is the best form.