英文法律文书简明教程（十）

1. Avoid using contractions² in formal writing. A contraction¹ is a combination of two words as one, such as "don't," "can't," and "isn't." The use of contractions is inappropriate in formal legal writing. Replace them with the two-word version of the contraction.

　　在正式写作中应避免使用缩写形式。 缩写即是将两个词合二为一，比如 "don't," "can't," 和"isn't"。在正式的法律文书中使用缩写形式是不规范的。

　　Incorrect: He can't guarantee that the defendant³ will appear because the defendant hasn't called him in several days.

　　Correct: He can not guarantee that the defendant will appear because the defendant has not called him in several days.

　　2. Remember: "It's" is the contraction of "it is." The term "its" is the singular possessive of "it." The term "it's," by contrast, is the contraction of "it is."

　　记住：“It's”是“it is”的缩写形式，而“its”是“it”的单数所有格形式。

　　Correct use as Possessive: 所有格的正确使用：

　　My '68 Mustang is on its last journey.

　　Correct use as Contraction: 缩写形式的正确使用：

　　It's a long way from Tipperary.

　　Cross References: Apostrophes, Possessives 参考：省略符号，所有格