APA Style (7th ed.)
Contractions, in which two words are shortened and combined into one word (e.g., "I'm" and "isn't"), are usually reserved for informal communication. Avoid contractions to ensure that your writing style is professional and appropriate for formal, academic communication. Instead, spell out the words in full: "I am" and "is not".
Do not rewrite quotations to avoid contractions. If a quote contains a contraction, maintain the original wording of the original quotation in your text. To make changes or indicate grammatical errors in quoted text, please see How Can I Add Words or Emphasis to a Quotation in APA Style? and How Can I Indicate a Spelling Mistake in a Wuotation in APA Style?. If you are writing a document that requires an informal style, you could check with your instructor as to whether contractions are acceptable.
