Legal Writing

What?s Wrong with ?Ain?t?

By Maeve Maddox

Back when I taught junior high school English I used to tell my students that they were allowed to use the word “ain’t” in their speaking and writing.

When they recovered their composure I went on to explain that they could use it in only one context.

They could not say or write

I ain’t

because there was a standard expression they could use:

I’m not.

They could not say or write

He ain’t, she ain’t, or they ain’t

because there were standard forms for those:

He isn’t, she isn’t, they aren’t.

They could, however, say or write

Ain’t I?

I pointed out that the usual “standard” form of “aren’t I” was not exactly grammatical. Would anyone ever say “are I not?”

My eccentric rule had the effect of making my students think about the verbs is and are.

And it made us all realize how seldom anyone has occasion to say ain’t I? anyway.

What’s Wrong with “Ain’t”

Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on July 05, 2009 (boomark / email).