aren't

[ ahrnt, ahr-uhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

contraction of are not.
contraction of am not (used interrogatively).

aren't

/ ɑːnt /

contraction of

are not
informal.
used in interrogative sentences am not

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Usage Note

The social unacceptability of ain't, the historical contraction of am not, has created a gap in the pattern of verbal contractions. I'm not, the alternative to I ain't, has no corresponding interrogative form except ain't I. In questions, ain't I is often avoided by the use of aren't I: I'm right, aren't I? Aren't I on the list? This aren't is simply a different outcome of the same historical development that yielded ain't, but the fact that it is spelled and pronounced like the contraction of are not (as in You are staying, aren't you? ) apparently gives it, for some, an acceptability that ain't lacks. The use of aren't I is objected to by others because a declarative counterpart, I aren't, does not exist. Many speakers, however, prefer aren't I to the uncontracted, rather formal am I not. ain't, contraction.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of aren't¹

As contraction of am not, a doublet of ain't (without raising of the vowel), spelling aren't by r-less speakers; ar was later substituted for the long a by speakers who regularly pronounce pre-consonantal r

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Example Sentences

Mainers aren’t sure what this full-court press will mean for their state; keeping up with it is hard enough.

From Salon

"We hope the discussions aren't just on paper and become real actions. And the measures, the decisions taken, really are put into practice so that the planet can breathe a little better, so that the population in the future will have a little cleaner air."

From BBC

The 2024 World Series champions aren’t the only pro sports team taking fossil fuel money.

From Los Angeles Times

Tesla founder Elon Musk tweeted in 2022 that the Cybertruck “will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes & even seas that aren’t too choppy.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also said he informed the mayor and moved to backfill their positions so that that the department’s recruitment efforts aren’t interrupted.

From Los Angeles Times

Arensky areo-

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