English Majors: When stating "You are not", which contraction is appropriate?

Question

I hate to do this, but I can't find on here where to ask this, and I can't find the answer. Again, I apologize, but I need to know. I know this is not G&WS related, but it seems from prior comments that there's some English Majors on here:

Which contraction is appropriate:
1) You're not
2) You aren't... or
3) both 1 and 2 are okay
4) You'ren't

No opinions please. I know what people use, but wondering if proper English has a specific rule? Looking for teachers or English majors.

I appreciate the suggestion Draecoiram. When I went to that section, it was mainly people asking about getting an education, as opposed to actually asking educational questions. (except for 'Homework Help', and that was mainly Jr. High Questions).

And for those who are saying 4 is not a valid choice, you'ren't understanding it correctly. I have a friend who said so. He'sn't dum either. haha.

(Seriously though. My question is truly a serious question though. I need to know the correct answer. Thanks everyone.)

Answer 1

As many before me have said, you're not and you aren't both share the meaning of you are not, and both are grammatically correct. Even if your friend, who I understand is not "dum," says it, I do not believe there is any version of English that recognizes you'ren't as "correct."

By the way, one responder above said you can't combine two contractions into one word, but that is not true. Couldn't've and shouldn't've and a few others like this are recognized as acceptable contractions.

Answer 2

I'm not an English major or a teacher, but I have aced all my English classes. The rule for contractions is to take them away and replace them with the words that are being contracted. You're not and You aren't are the same thing. You are not and You are not. So I would have to say that the correct answer is #3. Number 4 just doesn't even make sense. You can't combine more than one contraction into one word.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, both 1 and 2 are gramatically correct, but if you want to get very specific about which is the better form to use, it would be 1. It is generally considered better use of the English language if you contract the auxillary form along with the preceding pronoun when it comes this way.

Strictly speaking though, if one was to get this nit-picky about the grammatical use of contractions then one might also wish to think about whether the use of them at all is in fact in order.

Basically, it is considered to be slightly bad form to use contractions at all, and perhaps even a little lazy, in anything but a completely informal setting. Contractions were not formed for use by the written word, they were brought about by use in speech, and are generally frowned upon in proper English terms.

So, you may wish to take #4 off your resume'.

Answer 4

Each of these contractions are valid in popular usage.

I speak English - I come from the UK - we invented it (more or less).

btw: option 4 is a joke, right? :P

EDIT: Look, you asked a nice easy question and the people on this page answered it in good faith - then you move the goal posts by saying that you know that option 4 has some validity - why? because your friend told you - accept the fact that as daft as you claim your friend is - he is wrong " you'ren't " isn't an English phrase I'm familiar with, and I've used an awful lot of it - both reading and spelling.

If you are determined to show such disrespect to your question's answerers, what is the point in asking in the first place.

Answer 5

of course it may well be superb. you will possibly additionally choose to mimic a 13-twelve months-previous's speech in different strategies, e.g. some slang, no longer overly state-of-the-artwork vocabulary, etc. (yet without dumbing down your writing--that's hard). it ought to be efficient too to think of somebody to whom the new child is telling the tale. He/she does no longer communicate the comparable thank you to a buddy of the comparable age as to a parent, a instructor, a decide, etc. He/she might additionally exhibit and cover extremely some issues, clarify motives/excuses for doing issues in a different way, etc. Contractions are in trouble-free terms irrelevant for terribly formal writing such as you will possibly use to place in writing a business enterprise letter, an academic paper, etc. there is not any reason to no longer use them whilst writing a fictional tale, extraordinarily in first individual narration or communicate, till for consequence, i.e. to make the guy seem extremely formal or rigidity the formality of the area.

Answer 6

Kendrick: I think it's great that you came here; this is where people like you and know you.

I *absolutely* agree with what draecoiram said, and was going to post the identical answer:

Either 1 or 2 is correct, choose the one you want to emphasize, "YOU aren't" or "You're NOT".

Answer 7

Technically, formal writing frowns on contractions; however, I'd go with the first chose because it allows for the emphasis to be directed on the word "not" and leaves no cause for misunderstanding from a careless reader/speaker.

Answer 8

3) depends on what you want to emphasize
YOU aren't.... or you're NOT....
(not either, but i did take a lot of grammar in college when i was planning to become a teacher)
(also, you might try a category in Education & Reference for other answers)

edit: figures!

Answer 9

Both 1 and 2 are o.k....it's a matter of preference.

Answer 10

1 and 2 are both fine, with 1 preferred. (M.A. in English)