aren't

American  

[ahrnt, ahr-uhnt] / ɑrnt, ˈɑr ənt /

1. contraction of are not.

2. contraction of am not (used interrogatively).

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aren't British  

/ ɑːnt /

contraction

1. are not

2. informal (used in interrogative sentences) am not

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Usage

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. See also ain't, contraction.

Etymology

Origin of aren't

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

Example Sentences

"Current data around the spatial organization of the genome suggest that genome folding has little impact on gene expression -- but we thought, perhaps we just aren't looking at it in the right way," says first author Tessa Popay, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in Dixon's lab.

From Science Daily

As well as running a community pantry, All Pulling Together helps people find employment, hosts activities such as craft groups and book clubs, and supports children who aren't in school to get back into education.

From BBC

It would be premature to pull the trigger on a rate hike in Japan before confirming the trajectory of tensions in Iran and crude oil prices, especially when inflation expectations aren’t yet anchored at the BOJ’s 2% target, said Norinchukin Research Institute economist Takeshi Minami.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among parents who aren’t saving for college in a 529, 18% said it was because of concerns about higher education’s future, according to a Credit Karma survey from last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

As many of you who clock dozens of business flights a year know, predeparture champagne and the most comfortable lie-flat seat aren’t going to save the day if you can’t work.

From The Wall Street Journal