Use of -n't - auxiliary verbs and so on

[arcticmonkey]

I'm wondering what classes of verbs the contracted negation -n't can attach to. If the answer is auxiliary, is it really more specific than that? Any examples?

Edit: Actually i have another question as well:
How can one determine that a word is used both as noun and verb?

[Jason72]

I'm wondering what classes of verbs the contracted negation -n't can attach to. If the answer is auxiliary, is it really more specific than that? Any examples?

You are vague.

Actually i have another question as well:
How can one determine that a word is used both as noun and verb?

By context.

All the best!

[arcticmonkey]

hmm, well -n't attaches to certain verbforms:

Correct: "We aren't leaving." "Didn't they leave yesterday?"

While not to others:

"We leftn't until six." "Can he haven't checked his e-mail today?"

(examples from a book)

So I'm trying to formulate a generalisation of what class of verbs it does attach to.

[Jason72]

WORDS (negating a verb) CONTRACTION
is not - isn't
are not - aren't
was not - wasn't
were not - weren't
have not - haven't
has not - hasn't
had not - hadn't
will not - won't
would not - wouldn't
do not - don't
does not - doesn't
did not - didn't
cannot - can't
could not - couldn't
should not - shouldn't
might not - mightn't
must not - mustn't

You can say some auxiliary and modal verbs...
There's no a certain group of them.

Will this do?

[arcticmonkey]

it's a good start does plenty for me, don't know about the exam teachers tho