What should you do about contractions in formal report writing?

• A. They should be used only in headlines.
• B. They should be used only in questions.
• C. They should always be used.
• D. Contractions should be avoided unless part of a statement or direct quote.

Answer: (D)

In formal report writing, keep the language formal and precise by avoiding contractions in the main text. Contractions tend to read as casual and can undermine the document’s professional tone, so you generally spell out full forms (cannot, will not, do not, is not, etc.). The proper exception is when you are including someone’s exact words; in that case, reproduce the contraction as it appears in the source because altering quoted material would change the wording. For example, paraphrasing would use “cannot comply,” while a direct quote would retain the original contraction, such as, “I can’t comply with the request.” This approach preserves accuracy and formality in the report.