ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: ain't

Kooyeen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:47:27 GMT

I think I'd agree with GG... I don't think that "ain't" in place of "do not" or "does not" is what you are likely to hear in most American dialects. These are the most common usages, as far as I know:
I ain't seen it. (have/has not, auxiliary)
I ain't trying to help you. (is/are not)
I ain't got nothing to do. (ain't got = possessive)

EDIT: ah, and I think I usually see it used with a double negative.

Re: ain't

Grammar Geek — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:12:05 GMT

(Vacation? Good! That means we can look forward to more of your spectacular photos in The Chat Page!)

Re: ain't

Ruslana — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:06:46 GMT

I'll memorize your comment, Barb, to remember when to use ain't. Though I ain't really going to use it.

(I've been busy with work and study, but now I am on vacation so can have a look in here oftener. )

Re: ain't

Joakim — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:30:06 GMT

Ain't is normally used in orally conversations and in informal texts. As grammar Geek says "Ain't" can sustitue for "am/is/are - not" and certainly "has/have - not".

Re: ain't

Grammar Geek — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:24:28 GMT

Hi Lana! I see we posted at the same time. You've been so busy lately! I'm happy to see you here again.

I confess that I do use "ain't" from time to time, always playfully.

While "It ain't necessariy so" and "You ain't seen nothin' yet" (both either movie lines or song lyrics) and things like "I ain't going nowhere" all sound perfectly normal to me, the example "I ain’t know that" in the link is SO weird. It did say "some dialects" - so perhaps it's used, but not by the people I know.

So I guess I'd say it can substituate for "am/is/are not" and "has/have not" but not "did not" -- it's hard to to a grammatical analysis on something that's always been considered just so wrong!

Re: ain't

Newguest — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:22:34 GMT

Grammar Geek

-- you wouldn't say "I am not tell you," would you?

Sure I wouldn't. Thank you!

Re: ain't

Ruslana — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:17:03 GMT

Hey Barb,

It's a long time since we last met.

Anyway, I checked this one to figure out instead of what "ain't" may stand. Do you think it may be used for am/are not only?

Re: ain't

Grammar Geek — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:13:28 GMT

If you choose to use "ain't" then DO use the -ing form afterwards.

Remember it stands for "am not" or "are not."

I am not telling you, I am not driving you there -- you wouldn't say "I am not tell you," would you?

Re: ain't

Ruslana — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:13:17 GMT

"Ain't" is a spoken contraction.

Generally, it is used instead of am not, but can also replace is not, are not, has not, have not, do not, does not, did not.

I ain't telling you... (used instead of "am not"),

I ain't tell you... (used instead of "do not", "did not"),

etc.

ain't

Newguest — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:02:20 GMT

I know that "ain't" is incorrect English, however, is it OK to use the present continuous tense after this word, i.e., I ain't telling you/I ain't driving there etc. I would rather say: I ain't tell you OR ...drive there.