Poll: Ain't

[Redlass]

So what's your opinion on this one?

[magenta321]

I am the one who the jury was out for.

In writing, I don't like the word "ain't". I wouldn't say that it never has a place in a work, but I think it should be used only as a matter of style.

For example, if I wanted to write in the style of an uneducated person, I would use the word "ain't".

Now, for the spoken word, that depends also. I don't think it has any place in the professional world.

I don't think it has any place in the polite world.

I do think it has a place when you are haning out with friends who you would feel comfortable cussing in front of. It seems like about the same level of language, even if it does not have the same meaning.

That's my two cents!

[KateTPZ]

I didn't know how to vote. I consider it appropriate in writing ONLY when it's part of a character's dialog - and reflects his or her normal way of speaking.

But when speaking, I consider it fine in casual conversation. (Although I almost never say it and correct my kids when they do!)

[mtbat]

I am NOT the most gramatical person-but I HATE Ain't! my 6 year old started using it recently-and I correct her everytime I hear her-
it just sounds un-educated and sub-par-
My stepdaughter uses it all the time and I have to wince-and try to correct her-

you are judged by how you look, how you sound, how you speak and when you use this word you give a certain impression to everyone-and it usually isn't a good one

[pluckyduck]

I had trouble voting on this one......but I ended up in the "acceptable/casual" category.

1) I would die if I ever heard "ain't" come out of my kid's mouths.

2) I love using "ain't" for effect in writing or speaking, myself.

"This ain't your mother's (fill in the blank)" says a lot more than "This is not the same as your mother's (fill in the blank)"

I had trouble voting because using "ain't" for effect is different from it being acceptable in casual usage only. In other words, if I were a paid, professional writer, I would still use "ain't" if I thought it were appropriate...but I would never find it just slipping into my conversation on a Friday night with friends.



Andrea

[deannajjones]

"I ain't gonna use it unless I put it in dialogue!"

[Prepoia[$]]

I absolutely ABSOLUTELY hate the word ain't for anything but effect or dialog. When do writers use it? To indicate low educational background.

That's exactly what I consider it when I hear anyone use it in conversation or in writing. Unless it is to stereotype, I never use it. In fact, when using it to stereotype I feel as though I'm poking fun at someone.

And contrary to self-esteem advocates in education that tell beginning teachers 'NOT" to correct a student's language, I will correct ain't. I'm doing them a favor by pointing out a word that indicates lack of education and which will place them at a disadvantage when conversing with others. I tell them at the beginning of the year what I'll be "gently" reminding them so that they can become better speakers. They don't mind at all and their self-esteem rises because they know they can and are speaking correctly. It's like not making them spell correctly.....oh well, that's another topic and personal peeve of mine.

I am embarrassed to admit that the minute someone is speaking to me and uses ain't they automatically shift lower in the worth of what they're saying. I am not a language snob, I just think that proper English is just as easy to use as improper. Some grammatical errors are common to all and I don't have a problem with hearing them. I instead of me, for example. But, ain't is in a class all of its own.

Sandy who carries a big stick saying, "There ain't no ain't in my dictionary"