Always write out weren't, aren't?

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>I was wondering for Harvard’s supplemental essay, do we always need to write “weren’t” out as “were not”, “aren’t” out as “are not”? Also is one space after the period acceptable?</p>

2

<p>“Were not” and “are not” are usually preferable to “weren’t” and “aren’t.” And one space after each period is fine.</p>

3

<p>ALWAYS 1 space
I wouldn’t be too worried about weren’t or aren’t, but agreed that the non contracted forms are better.</p>

4

<p>It is more formal (and therefore preferable on an application to one of the best colleges in the world) to write out “were not” and “am not”. Though if you’re writing a stream-of-consciousness, informal kind of essay, I don’t see why you couldn’t use the contraction forms.</p>

<p>It’s always one space after a period, for everything.</p>