2007-01-16 04:20:54 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
When I was little we use to be told "Ain't, ain't a word because it ain't in the dictionary!"...But look it up and it is in fact in the Webster dictionary now so I guess it IS a word after all....s
2007-01-16 04:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
According to my Chambers English Dictionary 'ain't' is defined as : contracted form of 'are not', 'am not', or 'is not', also 'has not', 'have not'. Although it is a slang term or lazy way of speaking it is defined so must be a word. At the end of the day it's an expression that is easily understood and conveys it's meaning in a verbal sense. It is not something you would use in a literary sense.
2007-01-16 05:11:55 · answer #2 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a matter of fact, "Ain't" is a word. Not though because it is in the dictionary. The word "Ain't" was used by the hierarchy, and the upper-class in the 15 or 1600's. When the serf's and peasants started using it the word, to imitate the upper-class, it was deemed to be unacceptable for proper usage. So please use it, help stick it to "The Man" and the unjust class system.
2007-01-16 04:45:23 · answer #3 · answered by sideshow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a word. It can be used for any of the subjects:
I ain't, you ain't, he/she ain't, we ain't, they ain't
It is used in everyday talk sometimes, it is used in songs sometimes. Should you use it in an essay or in school writings? Does it make you look uneducated? Well I am sure that most of you would agree yes because if you use ain't on a CV (resume) I don't think you would get the job.
2007-01-16 04:36:27 · answer #4 · answered by Scott 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. I don't like it but that's personal opinion. Check out the link to the Wikipedia description. It's been around a very long time (the word, not the description!)
2007-01-16 04:26:32 · answer #5 · answered by emsr2d2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is in the Dictionary. I know a lot of older people say it is not a word. Just tell them to look it up in the big book of words. Even tell your teacher it that is the person saying it is not a word.
2007-01-16 04:25:02 · answer #6 · answered by minute_93933 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ain't is only in the dictionary because it is a word that is commonly used....that is how all words get into the dictionary. Ain't is colloquial slang for isn't and it's always correct to use isn't...when talking to your friends, u can use ain't...otherwise, i wouldn't recommend it.
2007-01-16 04:26:32 · answer #7 · answered by KavSha 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, ain't is a word but it is poor or bad english. When a person uses it they sound uneducated or stupid.
2007-01-16 04:29:34 · answer #8 · answered by Handsome's Wife 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aint am used when grammar am bad.
2007-01-16 04:29:11 · answer #9 · answered by faversham 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ain't is a contraction of the word are not
2007-01-16 04:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by Brownie-Girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋