ain't, slang

[BobK]

Further re 'gobsmacked':

It's a word I'm very fond of - which got my daughter into (mild) trouble in her first Christmas at primary school. Her account of the Annunciation said: 'When the angel told her she was going to have a baby Mary was gobsmacked.' Emily's not very imaginative teacher thought it was inappropriately irreverent; I thought it was rather creative for a five-year-old.

b

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by banderas

Do you think that in, say, 100 years "ain't" and "double negation" will have their place in grammar books?

They already do, Banderas.

[banderas]

Originally Posted by riverkid

They already do, Banderas.

Hi Riverkid,
I know that it is correct to say:
"I am tall, aren't I?" but I have never seen "double negation" or "ain't" in grammar books. Would you mind giving the reference, please?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by banderas

Hi Riverkid,
I know that it is correct to say:
"I am not tall at all, aren't I?"

Maybe you are right, but I don't think so. Instead, say:

I am not tall at all, am I?

[banderas]

Originally Posted by RonBee

I am not tall at all, am I?

Sure.
I meant:
"I am tall, aren't I?"

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by banderas

Hi Riverkid,
I know that it is correct to say:
"I am tall, aren't I?" but I have never seen "double negation" or "ain't" in grammar books. Would you mind giving the reference, please?

Check any good grammar, Banderas. They describe much the same thing as Ron B described, ie. how these things actually fit in language use.

The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language / The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English / The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Book /

============

M-W

usage Although widely disapproved as nonstandard and more common in the habitual speech of the less educated, ain't in senses 1 and 2 is flourishing in American English. It is used in both speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis <the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing, ain't funny anymore — Richard Schickel> <I am telling you—there ain't going to be any blackmail — R. M. Nixon>. It is used especially in journalistic prose as part of a consistently informal style <the creative process ain't easy — Mike Royko>. This informal ain't is commonly distinguished from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed constructions and phrases <well—class it ain't— Cleveland Amory> <for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy! — Andy Rooney> <you ain't seen nothing yet> <that ain't hay> <two out of three ain't bad> <if it ain't broke, don't fix it>. In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization; in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of a warm personal friendship. It is also used for metrical reasons in popular songs <Ain't She Sweet> <It Ain't Necessarily So>. Our evidence shows British use to be much the same as American.

=================

[banderas]

Originally Posted by riverkid

usage Although widely disapproved as nonstandard and more common in the habitual speech of the less educated, ain't in senses 1 and 2 is flourishing in American English. It is used in both speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis <the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing, ain't funny anymore — Richard Schickel> <I am telling you—there ain't going to be any blackmail — R. M. Nixon>. It is used especially in journalistic prose as part of a consistently informal style <the creative process ain't easy — Mike Royko>. This informal ain't is commonly distinguished from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed constructions and phrases <well—class it ain't— Cleveland Amory> <for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy! — Andy Rooney> <you ain't seen nothing yet> <that ain't hay> <two out of three ain't bad> <if it ain't broke, don't fix it>. In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization; in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of a warm personal friendship. It is also used for metrical reasons in popular songs <Ain't She Sweet> <It Ain't Necessarily So>. Our evidence shows British use to be much the same as American.

Does this come from The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language or The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English?
If not, I am dying to see some examples from these sources? I am just curious?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by banderas

Does this come from The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language or The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English?
If not, I am dying to see some examples from these sources? I am just curious?

M-W stands for Merriam-Webster. They have an online dictionary.