Whats Wrong with Aint

Whats Wrong with Aint Whats Wrong with Aint Whats Wrong with Aint 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 aint 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 aint because there was a standard expression they could use: Im not. They could not say or write He aint, she aint, or they aint because there were standard forms for those: He isnt, she isnt, they arent. They could, however, say or write Aint I? I pointed out that the usual standard form of arent 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 aint I? anyway. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational WritingHow to Pronounce Mobile