[Grammar] – I am not / I’m not / I amn’t

englishhobby said:

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?

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***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

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,I? (Yes, I know that “aren’t” does notmatch “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:. If you use this word,most (not all) Americans will feel that (a) you are not well-educatedor (b) you are trying to be funny (making a joke). I most respectfullysuggest that you NOT use it. When you become fluent in English, thenyou can occasionally use it for a humorous effect.Sincerely,James