Talk:wouldn't've

wouldn't've
If we are going ot have entries for incorrect "double" contractions, we should at the very least explain what regions (British English?) they aren't considered errors. Additionally, the reference books that do indicate this is sometimes allowed, need to be listed. --Connel MacKenzie 19:30, 7 July 2007 (UTC)


 * This is not uncommon in British English informal speach, but I think this is the first time I've ever seen it written. Thryduulf 11:24, 8 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Common in U.S. spoken English, too, but the written form is what’s known as eye dialect. —Stephen 16:54, 8 July 2007 (UTC)


 * There are some google groups hits for wouldnt've - i.e. omitting the first apostrophe, presumably as a word with two apostrophes doesn't look like English. For some reason there are more hits than messages that actually contain the term, but with a bit of time I don't have at the moment there should be enough to get a few cites. "shouldnt've" gets far fewer hits and I haven't checked to see whether they contain the term or not. If they do get an entry, it should be marked as non-standard. Thryduulf 18:06, 8 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Keep. "Correct" is prescriptive. This is not an RFD issue. DAVilla 19:43, 8 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Keep. Google books...
 * Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Page 125 by Mildred D. Taylor - Juvenile Fiction - 2001 - 290 pages
 * Just for making me apologize to that ole dumb Lillian Jean Simms. She oughtn't've done that, Mama. Papa wouldn't've—" "I don't want ...


 * Looking for Mr. Goodbar - Page 11
 * by Judith Rossner - Non-Classifiable - 1976
 * I wouldn't've even noticed her except she's reading a book. In a bar. Not looking at the TV. Once in a while she talks to the bartender. ...


 * etc etc etc. Same goes for shouldn't've above. Also note the use of oughtn't've. These are all quite common in UK books where normal speech patterns are represented.Algrif 15:12, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Keep. Use is common enough, see Rocky Horror Picture Show. bd2412 T 03:32, 9 September 2007 (UTC)