Use contractions

Write using the same, everyday words you use in conversation.

  • Use common contractions, such as it’s, you’re, that's, and don’t, to create a friendly, informal tone.

  • Don't mix contractions and their spelled-out equivalents in UI text. For example, don’t use can’t and cannot in the same UI.

  • Never form a contraction from a noun and a verb, such as Microsoft’s developing a lot of new cloud services.

  • Avoid ambiguous or awkward contractions, such as there’d, it’ll, and they’d.