[Grammar] I am not / I'm not / I amn't

[englishhobby]

is it all right to contract "I am not" to "I'm not" or "I amn't"
a) in formal style
b) in informal style?

 

[billmcd]

is it all right to contract "I am not" to "I'm not" or "I amn't"
a) in formal style
b) in informal style?

Never "I amn't" (no such form). Formal style: always safe to use full form.

 

[5jj]

I'm not is fine in speech and informal writing.

 

[englishhobby]

Many thanks to you!

 

[TheParser]

is it all right to contract "I am not" to "I'm not" or "I amn't"
a) in formal style
b) in informal style?

***NOT A TEACHER ***


Hello, Englishhobby:

(1) There is no contraction for "am not" in "good" English.

That is why people must say:

I am your best friend, am I not?

I am your best friend, aren't I? (Yes, I know that "aren't" does not

match "I," but that is just one of the inconsistencies found in language.)

(2) Yes, there is a contraction for "am not," but today most (not all)

people feel that it is bad English: ain't. If you use this word,

most (not all) Americans will feel that (a) you are not well-educated

or (b) you are trying to be funny (making a joke). I most respectfully

suggest that you NOT use it. When you become fluent in English, then

you can occasionally use it for a humorous effect.




Sincerely,


James