If you are writing something formal such as an essay for class or a cover letter for a job, avoid using contractions. Here are examples:
don't = do not
isn't = is not
I'm = I am
aren't/ain't (slang) = are not
Let's = let us
haven't = have not
won't = will not
can't = cannot (watch the spelling; it is all one word)
It's = It is
There's = There is/There are
They're = They are
They've = They have
I've = I have
Contractions should be avoided in formal writing. However, don't (do not) confuse contractions with the apostrophes used in possession: Bob's car. Possessive apostrophes are fine in formal writing.
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