English Language & Usage Asked on September 4, 2021
Since “amn’t I” is so clunky, is “aren’t I” grammatically correct? Or is the only way to say this “Am I not”?
The NOAD reports that aren't is the contraction of are not, and am not; in the latter case, it is used only in questions.
Why aren't I being given a pay raise?
The Collins English Dictionary says the same, but it says that using aren't as contraction of am not is informal, and chiefly British.
- informal, mainly British (used in interrogative sentences)
am not
Correct answer by apaderno on September 4, 2021
Aren't I? is standard English as the negative interrogative of I am. So it is correct.
Ain't I? is also common though regarded as a lower register. Am I not? sounds far too picky. I am, init? is also used, though I hate it. Amn't I might be logical, but only seems to exist, if at all, in Scottish or Irish dialect.
Answered by Henry on September 4, 2021
Just because people say "aren't I" to avoid saying "ain't I," the original contraction of "am I not," does not make it correct. It's an odious "error if pretension." What's so difficult about "amn't I" (no harder to say than "wasn't I") - that form would be graceful and logical, so let's start using it.
Answered by Susanna Lundgren on September 4, 2021
Just say "am I not", which carries no error other than causing one to sound like Barbara Eden portraying "Jeannie". Easy.
Answered by Gary Jones on September 4, 2021
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