Formal writing

Juan   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 04:31 GMT
Someone once told me that when writing formally like for example a letter to an employer you should never use contractions.

i.e. Hadn't, I've etc....

Is that true or is that incorrect?

Thanks in advance :-)
Scooby   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 04:51 GMT
Yes thats true. I'm not sure why, but contractions in writing are considered informal.
Your boss   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 04:56 GMT
Hello, When ''you are'' writing a letter to me ''do not'' use contractions. Contractions ''are not'' and ''will not'' be excepted because you ''should not'' use them when writing a letter to me. ''I am'' not going to except a letter that uses contractions. I will only except a letter that ''does not'' have any contractions. It ''is not'' right to use contractions when writing letters to me.
mjd   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 04:57 GMT
Don't worry, Boss, we won't. I mean....do not worry, Boss, we will not.
Juan   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 05:57 GMT
So....is that a yes or a no? I'm not sure if you guys are being serious.
Juan   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 06:56 GMT
Ok *sigh* ...I guess I'll never know
Damian   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 07:44 GMT
Och, we don't use contrctns. in here...don't bleive in 'em...we're nvr srius eithr.. no futre in that..life 2 shrt 4 that nonsnse...hope u hve gd day 2day guys/gals.
Migh Mick   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 08:21 GMT
Juan,
Re: Formal letters
In Australia, many formal letters I receive such as bills, notices, letters from our local politicans, even Insurance contracts (hmm at least the cover pages) all contain language with contractions! Contracted words do revert back when emphasising something like "don't" for example will become "do not". But this isn't necessarily done for formalising it.
Juan   Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 08:32 GMT
Ok. Thanks Migh Mick.