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Did anyone else notice that in this book, the author had a tendency to use the phrase "I am" instead of the contraction "I'm"? I found this to be slightly annoying when reading the book.

If the character in a novel is foreign and English is his/her second language, then using "I am" makes perfect sense, but if the character is a native English speaker, the use of "I am" seems unlikely...

Any thoughts on this?

Paula

I actually prefer the phrase 'I am' to the contraction 'I'm.' It just seems more professional to me.

Christina Rose wrote:I actually prefer the phrase 'I am' to the contraction 'I'm.' It just seems more professional to me.

I agree with you! I enjoy using "I am" whether I am speaking or writing. I too, think it sounds more professional and I also think that it makes a paper stronger to use less contractions.

Ljessup wrote:

Christina Rose wrote:I actually prefer the phrase 'I am' to the contraction 'I'm.' It just seems more professional to me.

I agree with you! I enjoy using "I am" whether I am speaking or writing. I too, think it sounds more professional and I also think that it makes a paper stronger to use less contractions.

While reading, I will sometimes even catch myself thinking out the phrase 'I am' even when the contraction was actually used in the sentence, if that makes sense.
I agree with your opinion on a paper being stronger when less contractions are used.

Christina Rose wrote:

Ljessup wrote:

Christina Rose wrote:I actually prefer the phrase 'I am' to the contraction 'I'm.' It just seems more professional to me.

I agree with you! I enjoy using "I am" whether I am speaking or writing. I too, think it sounds more professional and I also think that it makes a paper stronger to use less contractions.

While reading, I will sometimes even catch myself thinking out the phrase 'I am' even when the contraction was actually used in the sentence, if that makes sense.
I agree with your opinion on a paper being stronger when less contractions are used.

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I do the same thing, so it does to make sense to me. I also sometimes say it aloud because my thoughts will get stuck on the contraction used instead of continuing to read on and critique whatever it is I am reading. I do use contractions when I am in a hurry though and every so often when I am texting it will autocorrect to contractions, which has always confused me, but nonetheless I just prefer to write most everything out.

It does sound more formal and less casual... because it is.

For me, it is just the same whether you will use I'm or I am in a sentence because 'I'm' is a contraction in which the apostrophe takes the place of the 'a' which is taken out to shorten the sound of the word.

Pm7lucas wrote:Did anyone else notice that in this book, the author had a tendency to use the phrase "I am" instead of the contraction "I'm"? I found this to be slightly annoying when reading the book.

If the character in a novel is foreign and English is his/her second language, then using "I am" makes perfect sense, but if the character is a native English speaker, the use of "I am" seems unlikely...

Any thoughts on this?

Paula

I think that it's a matter of preference, either are fine in my opinion at least.

I agree with you Paola. Both are grammatically correct and mean the same thing. "I am" is more formal and used rarely so it's more impactful for me when it is used. "I'm" is more casual and flows better.

I would use them differently depending on the context, I feel as though 'I'm' is more informal and less declarative, for example 'I'm friends with my sister' whilst 'I Am' feels more decisive and formal, for example, the quote "I think therefore I Am'

I believe that it has to do with how the writer and narrorator are speaking. If the book is in first person and is more towards the conversational side of things, then I'm would seem appropriate. If it's more of a general telling or explanation I am seems to fit. Also when writing dialogue, I'm should be used because that is the normal vernacular and having someone say "I am" would sound strange. It really all depends on the context of the phrases.

I was taught to avoid using contractions because they are informal. Therefore, I tend to write 'I am' most of the time. However, when speaking I use 'I'm'.

I am seems to make a more of a point of something and maybe hints at higher education and clear diction.

In a book, I think "I am" should be used, except for speech. At least that's what I was taught.

Since the book is written in the first person, I'd say you're right and the use of the contracted form would add more credibility to the character's speech.