Usage of "ain't"?

Question

As far as I understand, "ain't" can mean either "isn't" (ain't no sunshine) or "hasn't" (you ain't seen nothing yet).

Are there any rules when "ain't" is used? Does it have a different meaning than "isn't" or "hasn't"?

Edit: Maybe asking for rules was not the best idea. A better question would have been: when do you use "ain't" instead of "isn't"/"hasn't"?

score 15 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 14 '11 at 08:54

15

Ain't is used as a regular negated form of be or have, and supposedly sometimes do:

It's also used like there isn't, by common omission of there from there ain't.

And in case you hadn't guessed, dialects that use ain't stereotypically use negative concord as well.

answered Jun 14 '11 at 08:54

Jon Purdy

1

It doesn't always have to be used with negative concord: "It ain't that kind of party." "I ain't sure which one I want." "Ain't that a shame." And so on. – Robusto Jun 14 '11 at 09:13
@Robusto: Of course. I was just having some fun. :P – Jon Purdy Jun 14 '11 at 20:56

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 24 '12 at 03:35

1

I was taught that "ain't" is a contraction of "am not." Its wide misuse has caused it to be considered slang.

answered Mar 24 '12 at 03:35

htoip

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 11 '14 at 19:59

0

In response to your edit, the best time to use ain't is to catch attention or to gain emphasis.

answered Feb 11 '14 at 19:59

brandonjsmith

3 Answers3