what do you think about the use of "wanna, kinda" in the writing? I don't know exactly why, but I thought that one can say wanna or kinda in the fast speak, but in the writing i think looks rare. I am

mauricio

what do you think about the use of "wanna, kinda" in the writing? I don't know exactly why, but I thought that one can say wanna or kinda in the fast speak, but in the writing i think looks rare. I am not a English speaker, so probably I am wrong.

Apr 18, 2019 6:27 PM

Comments · 14

You are correct, Mauricio. “Wanna” and “kinda” should never be used in writing (unless maybe you’re a teenager and you’re texting your best friends). “Wanna” and “kinda” are not words — they are simply attempts to represent the usual pronunciation of “want to” / “want a” and “kind of” in normal speech. These reductions are inevitable results of English phonological “rules” that native speakers apply unconsciously (if you draw their attention to it, they may get upset — hence the need to avoid writing “wanna” and “kinda”). Please, do yourself a favor and use standard spelling.

April 18, 2019

Oh, and in short: Don't use wanna or kinda in writing. I cringe every time someone posts "I wanna find a language partner".

April 18, 2019

There is <em>one </em>place where it may be acceptable to use these forms of the words in writing. That place is in the dialogue of certain fictional characters in novels and short stories. If you are doing some creative writing and you create a character who would use these casual forms in their speech, you can use them in dialogue. But make sure it is in the dialogue only, not in the narration.

April 18, 2019

I do not like it when people say "wanna" and "gonna" and "kinda".

One should observe propriety in speech, in every situation. Also, speaking in that manner even if informally can become a habit, such that one might find himself doing so even in formal situations such as a job interview.

April 18, 2019