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
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
Comments
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!
Your opinion on this subject is highly valued. However, I'm getting confused .
I often hear people say "What's he mean?" instead of "What does he mean?"
Here's an excerpt of a conversation in a novel I'm reading:
A: I have some good news
B: What?
A: My wife called me this morning.
B: What'd she say?
A: She said she stayed up all night thinking about us.
I think What'd she say represents What did she say in the dialogue.
Is the American usage on this different than the british one?
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.
Native speakers contract all kinds of things in spoken English and this happens on both sides of the pond. I'm American, so my answer refers specifically to American English.
" What'd you do? "and " Why'd you do that?"
A. Is it commonly used in conversation and writing? It is extremely common in conversation. You should not use these types of contractions in written English.
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?" These contractions are quite typical in spoken English. You'll also hear things such as "wouldn't've" and "will've" and "there'll", etc
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?" YES to all for spoken English. Do not use these types of contractions in written English.