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Masterchief Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Ain´t

Could anybody explain the use of "ain´t"? I know that it´s criticized to be incorrect, but is used by many as an alternative to "I aren´t...". How do I use it?
  

Top answer

It is a way of representing the verb to be. Sometimes you hear it said with a "b" sound too - (baint) which could well be how it started out in life, but I don't know. " "We aint staying here long" "They aint coming with us" Becasue it is not considered Standard English it is not very useful in written forms, unless used as part of dialogue for characters.

— Suzi

  • It is a way of representing the verb to be.
  • Sometimes you hear it said with a "b" sound too - (baint) which could well be how it started out in life, but I don't know.
  • " "We aint staying here long" "They aint coming with us" Becasue it is not considered Standard English it is not very useful in written forms, unless used as part of dialogue for characters.
  • It is very widely used in spoken English in the UK.
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11 Answers
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It is a way of representing the verb to be. Sometimes you hear it said with a "b" sound too - (baint) which could well be how it started out in life, but I don't know.

It can be used for all persons -

"I aint interested in grammar"

you aint: "You aint the prettiest girl in the room."

he aint: "But he aint bothered about that."

"We aint stayin
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Thanks for answering my question!
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I´ve heard that "aint" can also be used as "has/have not". Is that right?
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ooh, are we logged on at the same time?

yes, you are right, we can use aint for "haven't"

I aint seen him today

I aint got any paper

This sort of use in speech is very common too.

Also, different dialects also offfer a variety of ways that people might express these basic ideas.

Round where I live people say "I aren't bothered" and "
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Come on, nobody says "I ain't got any paper". It's "I ain't got no paper".[A]

If yer gonna talk bad, do it good'n proper tha's wot I sez.

Rommie
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- how careless of me, of course you are right, rommie!
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Thank you, that are the answers I was looking for. You´re right, rommie, I heard many people say "I ain´t got no paper". Thanks again.
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You're both wrong! It should be:

"I ain't gots no paper!" lol

Now, someone correct me and misspell the word "paper" and it'll be perfect!
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Maybe we can bung in a "shucks', a "me" and a "dang" for the southern American translation;
"Shucks, I ain't gots me no dang paper ... I'z a guessin I'z a jest gotsen to have to be a havin to be a fingerin it some yawl, dang-nabbit!"
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LOL -

it is a doggone pity you answered anon, "guest", I'd like to know who has a sense of humour on here!
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