Ain't means am not, is not, are not, has not or have not; it's a nonstandard form that replaces all of them: It ain't easy, I ain't seen it. You often hear it in casual speech, songs and films. Standard English doesn't accept ain't: in writing, in essays, in IELTS Speaking and when talking to a teacher or colleague, people say isn't, aren't, haven't.
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ain't = am/is/are not (it ain't easy); ain't = have/has not (I ain't seen it; ain't got time)
- Relax, it ain't a big deal, we'll fix it tomorrow.
- I ain't seen Jake since the party, is he okay?
- Sorry, I ain't got time today, can we meet on Friday?
What changed
First versionDear Ms Carter, I'm afraid the washing machine in flat 3 ain't working again.
RevisionDear Ms Carter, I'm afraid the washing machine in flat 3 isn't working again.
Ain't is nonstandard, and in a letter about a broken washing machine in a flat it sounds careless. Here ain't stands for is not, so the corrected version has the ordinary isn't.
Ain't often comes with a second negative: I ain't got no money, meaning I have no money. People say this in casual speech and sing it in songs, but standard English uses one negative: I haven't got any money.
Your turn
I ___ seen him since Monday, has he called you?
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ain't — The gap is followed by seen, a form that comes after have: the meaning needs haven't seen, and ain't can stand for haven't. Seen never follows don't: don't seen is wrong in any style.
Write a message to a friend saying you're not going out tonight because you're tired. Use ain't and suggest another day.
Sorry, I ain't going anywhere tonight, I'm too tired. How about Sunday?
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