somethin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somethin" is not considered correct in standard written English, as it is an informal contraction of "something." It can be used in casual or colloquial contexts, such as in dialogue or informal writing, but it is not appropriate for formal writing.
Example: "I was thinking about somethin we could do this weekend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The Bremen has the most whistles of anybody: five, including a thing called a "Nautophone," which is somethin like a giant loudspeaker, only it whistles.

The New Yorker

"Tell me somethin — where is this home you keep talkin about?

The New Yorker

You should understand that, Mister, so you can do somethin else with your time.

The New Yorker

He spent his life saying he had been attacked by "somethin from God, somethin big, big like this".

The New Yorker

"If they are doin somethin, they keepin it secret," Aunt Penny said.

The New Yorker

You want somethin to drink?" I said no. "My husband was in the Army," she said after a bit.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Also significant was Somethin' Else (1958), a classic album released under Adderley's own name on which Davis was a guest player.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The sexual menace at the heart of Mitchum's character, especially the threat of raping a minor at one point Cady says, "I got somethin' planned for your wife and kid they ain't never gonna forget"—was daring to depict in its day, leading to problems with censors and the removal of the word rape from the script.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The song was even famously paraphrased by Michael Jackson in the recurring phrase "ma-ma say, ma-ma sa, ma ma-coo-sa" at the end of his 1982 release "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Richard Hawley discussed his copy of Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else", which he inherited from his father who inherited it from his grandmother who had written her address on the back in case it got lost.

Independent

Among the songs played during his farewell appearance were "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", which had featured in his very first company meeting in 1983.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing or professional communication, always use "something" instead of "somethin". Reserve "somethin" for informal conversations or creative writing where dialect is intentionally used.

Common error

Avoid using "somethin" in academic papers, business reports, or any context where a professional tone is required. Stick to "something" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "somethin" is as an indefinite pronoun, standing in for a thing not yet specifically identified. As Ludwig AI explains, this form is a contraction and not considered grammatically correct in standard writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the term "somethin" is found across various sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times, Ludwig AI emphasizes that it is an informal contraction of "something" and is grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It serves as an indefinite pronoun in casual contexts. Therefore, reserve its usage for informal conversations or creative writing, and opt for the standard "something" in professional or academic settings to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something

The standard and grammatically correct form of the word.

anything

Broader in scope, referring to any item or matter.

a thing

More general, focusing on the existence of an unspecified object or concept.

a certain thing

Implies specificity without naming the item.

some matter

More formal, indicating a topic or issue.

an item

More specific when referring to objects.

a detail

Focuses on a particular aspect or piece of information.

a bit

Refers to a small quantity or amount.

a little

Similar to 'a bit', indicating a small degree or extent.

a particular

Indicates a specific instance or item.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "somethin" instead of "something"?

"Somethin" is appropriate only in informal contexts such as casual conversations, creative writing aiming for a dialect effect, or when quoting someone. In all other cases, use "something".

Is "somethin" grammatically correct?

No, "somethin" is a contraction and is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. The correct form is "something".

What's the difference between "somethin" and "something"?

"Somethin" is an informal, contracted form of "something". While "something" is suitable for all types of writing, "somethin" is limited to informal contexts.

Can I use "somethin" in academic writing?

No, using "somethin" in academic writing is generally inappropriate due to its informal nature. Always use "something" in academic papers and formal reports.