In regards to contractions, Janet, I think it was, did a total survey of all Austin's works to see what contractions were used and who used them. Contractions were in use. "Don't cough so much, Kitty!" says Mrs. Bennet. There's no question that less refined characters used contractions more often in her writings, but even main characters would use them sometimes. She noted that "don't" was the most common contraction, one Austin herself used in her personal letters. I have made an effort over the last couple of years to become more conscious of the contractions I use and to cut down on them, to be sure that when I use a contraction there's a reason I use it. Sometimes it seems to suit the character, sometimes the situation, and sometimes you get a sentence that just flows so much better with a contraction. But I've tried to become more aware and deliberate about it.
