English Grammar Question?

Question

Is it just me or is "Aren't I" incorrect. That would be "Are not I" which doesn't sound right.

eg: "Aren't I right?" "I'm right, aren't I?"
("Are not I right?") ("I'm right, are not I?")

Isn't it meant to be "Am I right?" & "I'm right, am I not?"

"Ain't I right?" Now that is definitely informal, what is the origin of this word?

Answer 1

Good question.
The contraction for "are not" is usually used in questions like: "Aren't I going with you?" However, "am" is the proper be-verb to be used with the pronoun "I": "I am going with you." The technically ungrammatical usage of "aren't" in questions where "I" is the subject can be considered a "forced" mistake, because there is no good grammatically correct alternative. There is no contraction for "am not;" we don't say "Amn't I going ... ?," and the uncontracted form, "Am I not going with you?," sounds so formal that it is not practical in most situations. Consequently, even though "aren't I" is technically ungrammatical, and can sound a bit jarring to the ear, it is considered correct in normal conversational speech.

Edit: "Ain't" ain't a word because "ain't" ain't in the dictionary. -- this is a phrase that people say when they don't want to hear you say "ain't".
It doesn't sound right, like: "I ain't got no money", or "I ain't going to his place no more".
You should say isn't or aren't, or I am not, NOT ain't.

Answer 2

In conversational English 'Aren't I?' is often used - it confuses most people.

'Am I right?' is more correct as is the answer "I'm right, am I not"

However, the English language develops with usage and the 'aren't I' is often acceptable. In some English dialects 'Amn't I' is used which infuriates the purists but is logical (to me anyway).

But you are right, congratulations.

More information here:

http://www.grammarerrors.com/grammar.html

Answer 3

I tend to agree with you. I don't know how the whole "aren't I?" thing got started, but you're right; it does sound incorrect. I think it's much better to use another of your suggestions.

Lol, I used to go around saying "amn't I?" because it was in theory more grammatically correct. No one agreed with me.

Answer 4

I'm no grammar expert, but to my ear, that does not sound right.
I always make sure not to say that, because I would never say, "Are not I." It's just too stuffy
But it's so often used that I wouldn't be surprised if it actually was correct.

Answer 5

English has LOTS of weird anomalies like that. It's what makes it so difficult for ESL people. technically, you're right. But you're not going to change it, guaranteed.

Answer 6

you are totally right. especially when writing, one should not use contractions anyway. just like you said, if you break apart the contraction, then it does not sound right. it just seems to be acceptable in conversational english

Answer 7

You're right that it's incorrect, although it seems to be accepted colloquially.

"Are" is the plural form of "am" (i.e., "They are" vs. "I am"); therefore, "are not I" is not right. It should be "I'm not."

Answer 8

You're right that it's incorrect, although it seems to be accepted colloquially.

"Are" is the plural form of "am" (i.e., "They are" vs. "I am"); therefore, "are not I" is not right. It should be "I'm not."

Source(s):

Professional editor

Answer 9

aren't is plural so you need a plural noun am I is singular so you use a singular noun the latter is correct

Answer 10

You're an English teacher, right?
And you are correct. Drum rolls, please.