Why “This’s” Doesn’t Work in English (And Other Contraction Mysteries Explained)
Yo, let’s talk about contractions—those handy little shortcuts that make English faster to speak and write. We’ve got classics like “can’t” (can not), “won’t” (will not), and “it’s” (it is). But then there’s the weirdo of the group: “this’s.” Ever tried using it? Spoiler: it doesn’t fly in standard English. And here’s why.
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The Rules of Contractions: What Makes “This’s” a No-Go

Contractions exist to smooth out speech and writing by smashing words together and dropping letters. The apostrophe marks where letters vanish—like in “don’t” (do + not) or “I’m” (I + am). But “this’s”? Nope. Here’s the breakdown:

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**When Contractions *Do* Work (And Why We Love Them)

Contractions aren’t just about laziness—they’re linguistic power tools. Here’s where they shine:
– Speed Boost: Saying “I’ll” instead of “I will” saves milliseconds, which adds up in conversation.
– Tone Control: Formal writing avoids contractions, but dropping them in essays can sound robotic. “It is” vs. “it’s” changes the vibe.
– Historical Winners**: Contractions like “o’clock” (from “of the clock”) survived centuries because they *worked*. “This’s” didn’t make the cut.
Fun fact: Shakespeare used contractions like “’tis” (it is) and “ne’er” (never). If the Bard skipped “this’s,” maybe we should too.
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The Bigger Picture: Why Grammar Rules Aren’t Just Nitpicking

Critics might say, “Who cares? Language evolves!” True—but clarity matters. Imagine legal contracts with “this’s” everywhere. Chaos. Here’s the deal:

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Bottom Line: English contractions are like a demolition crew—they tear down wordiness, but only when it makes sense. “This’s” is that one wrecking ball that swings wild and misses the mark. Stick to “this is,” keep your writing clean, and save the linguistic experiments for texting your buddies.
*Mic drop. Debris cleared.* 🚜