am not/aren't

Question

It's a tag q. How do I say:I am learning English, am I not?orI am learning English, aren't I???

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I am learning English, am I not? (formal)
I'm learning English, aren't I? (informal)

Garnett · Answer

AnonymousIt's a tag q. How do I say: I am learning English, am I not? or I am learning English, aren't I? ??

"Am I not" is the absolutely correct way to say this. If you were writing a business letter you should use this.

"Aren't I" is correct, but less formal. If you were talking with friends you would use this.

Nona the brit · Answer

I would just like to point out that 'am I not?' is so very formal that vitually no-one uses it - even in business letters.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Nona The BritI would just like to point out that 'am I not?' is so very formal that vitually no-one uses it - even in business letters.

There are still hits at the New York Times:
http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?query=%22am+I+not%3F%22+&srchst=nyt
including one by W. Safire exactly on this topic of "Am I not?" which I can't read in full because I don't have the subscription.

One of them:

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30617FA3C5B0C718CDDAF0894D9404482

... employee, or am I not?'' asked Mr. O .

am not/aren't

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