+314 The word “ain’t” is a useful word in the English language – it can mean “am not”, “are not”, “is not”, “have not”, “has not”, “do not”, “does not” or “did not”. However, even though it’s versatile and easy to use, it still isn’t considered to be a proper grammatically-correct word, amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Also, the word “ya’ll” is also useful, and I don’t understand why it’s shunned in the English language – it’s short and easy for “you all”, and sounds better than “you guys” or anything else when casually addressing a group of people. For the record, I don’t say ya’ll, but I do use ain’t all the time, except obviously when typing assignments. Could just be because of my own accent though – I’ve never in my life pronounced the “g” part of any word ending in “ing”. Also (I’m on a roll here), why did people stop saying “shite” (rhyming with night or sight)? When I was younger, half the shows on telly would say it, and now none of do. It’s not COMPLETELY interchangeable with “shit”, but I just reckon it sounds better.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Cool story bro.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

*y'all The apostrophe replaces the "ou" in you.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Ah, thank you!

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Idiot.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I can't see it replacing "don't." I hope you don't enter an insane asylum. I hope you ain't enter an insane asylum.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's true, maybe it doesn't work well for "do not". But, there are heaps of other ways that "ain't" is just an easier word to use.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

True. I just was being overly picky and wanted to find a tiny error in your post, to make myself look intelligent.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I ain't want to do that.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ain't is in the dictionary, defined as 'an improper form of isn't'

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It does't work for "Do not" "Does not" or "Did not"

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It does not work - it ain't working. they do not work. they ain't working. they did not work, they ain't never worked. it is not a synonim, sure, but it can be used as a rephrasal.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That would be in exchanging for: "It is not working" and "They are not working", and "They have not ever worked". Nice try, though.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

like I said, though not a perfect synonim it can replace it in an informal rephrasal :)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That's slang for ya.

by Anonymous 13 years ago