Grammatically speaking . . .

System · November 2004

When using contractions, we say "aren't you?" for "are you not." We say "isn't he?" for "is he not?" So why isn't it (is it not?) "am't I?" for "am I not?" Why do we say "aren't I?"

I'm (I am) right about this, am't I?

ray a · November 2004

Maybe you are and maybe you ain't.

ritaanz · November 2004

Sam, how do you pronounce am't I? Tis a tongue twister. Ya'll be better off saying just one word, "Right?" and be done w/it

HRinNH · November 2004

[u]http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Aren't#Contraction[/u]

[b]Contraction[/b]
aren't [i]colloquial in all senses[/i]

[b]Are not.[/b]
Am not (used only in the question aren't I? = am I not?).

So you're correct!

LarryC · November 2004

This discussion makes ME wonder why black olives come in cans and green olives come in jars. Why can't black olives come in jars for easier keeping after they're opened? Am I the only one wondering this or am't I?

POPEYE · November 2004

I think it has something to do with whether they have pits or are pitless.

lnelson · November 2004

No because pimento olives are pitted and in jars too.

I think it is so the black olives are not exposed to light.

Don D · November 2004

Some people will come up with anything when they're bored. What do you usually do at 7:40 PM?

Will somebody please tell the lady from AZ that ya'll is y'all.

System · November 2004

ME bored? I was sleeping at 1:56 this morning.

My post was generated as a result of a conversation with a grammatically correct person who said "aren't I?" I never say that. And I never say 'irregardless.'

ray a · November 2004

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-03-04 AT 06:13AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Irregardless that people often say 'irregardless' when they mean regardless, irregardless is not a word. Even I know that. Aren't I smart?

And Don, Sam just needed a break from polishing all those shoes she owns.

System · November 2004

We concluded that it's "Am't I smart?" And you just had to bring up the shoe thing, didn't you!

HRinNH · November 2004

Don't worry Sam, it's hard for them to understand a woman's ability to walk in heels and look so good doing it

) Am't I right?

SandiF · November 2004

>[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON
>11-03-04 AT 06:13 AM (CST)[/font]
>
>Irregardless that people often say
>'irregardless' when they mean regardless,
>irregardless is not a word. Even I know that.
>Aren't I smart?
>
>And Don, Sam just needed a break from polishing
>all those shoes she owns.

I agree; unfortunately,it is in the new dictionaries.

Whatever · November 2004

So is an oil truck flammable or inflammable. T'aint sure.

LarryC · November 2004

Depends on how hard you hit it.

Don D · November 2004

And whether it's empty or not, and whether there is anyone left alive to have heard the impact.

But, back to the subject. Who would need to ask Aren't I? If you ARE, you would KNOW and would not have to ask. Id'n that right? And if you were or wuz to ask, shouldn't you ask AM I instead of aren't I? e.g. "Am I supposed to meet you in room 206 at 8:00 p.m.?" Rather than "Aren't I ...?"

I have a file of Ray's Bloopers and he has used irregardless no less than three times in Forum conversations.

ray a · November 2004

And all in one post.

Grammatically speaking . . .

Comments