How to Avoid Redundant Phrases in Writing

There are several things that make an essay writer a good one: strong research skills, ability to think critically and analyze information, and personal writing style. The latter means you know how to explain difficult ideas in simple language, how to avoid redundant phrases, and make the text readable.

What are redundant phrases

Redundancy is a needless repetition of words, phrases or ideas in sentences. Unlike synonyms, these elements don’t express different shades of meaning. How to understand that you are dealing with redundancy sentences? Look at a phrase and check whether a modified word shares the meaning of a modifier. Paraphrase a redundant element to check whether this modifier is necessary.

For example, “new innovation” is a redundant phrase: “innovation” is a new thing, so you get a “new new thing.” An expression “the following list below” is also a redundant phrase: “below” designates something that follows what you have already written.

The most common redundant phrases

There are several types of redundant phrases, each built according to a specific pattern. If you manage to remember these patterns with examples, it will be easier to avoid repetition.

#1. An adjective that repeats the meaning of a described word: close proximity, end result, final destination, free gift, actual fact, added bonus, sequential order, uphill climb, vitally important, slight hint, etc.

Incorrect: She was curious about the final outcome of their actions.

Correct: She was curious about the outcome of their actions.

#2. An adverb that repeats the meaning of a described verb: first discovered, reverted back, join together, meld together, orbit around, plan ahead, proceed further, reserve ahead of time, repeat again, etc.

Incorrect: Children returned back from a school trip.

Correct: Children returned from a school trip.

#3. Several words with identical meaning: software programs, up until, while at the same time, various different, whole entire, but nevertheless, the reason is because, most quintessential, manually by hand, twelve at midnight, etc. These phrases consist of the same or different parts of speech and completely duplicate their meanings. There is a specific term for these redundancies — pleonasm.

Incorrect: Software and computer programs are exactly the same things.

Correct: Software and computer programs are the same things.

#4. Seemingly helpful phrases without overtone: well, actually, truthfully, really, quite, basically, rather, kind of, needless to say, in my opinion, etc. People use these phrases with an intention to clarify the message or link clauses, make the writing sound friendly, informal, more personal, but they don’t have value for the text.

There’s no need to write “I think” in your essay; avoid redundancy — you are the author, professors will understand that the ideas expressed in it are what you think.

How to avoid redundant phrases: main rules

Check the text for double negatives. Don’t use “do not,” “cannot,” “have not” with pronouns “no one,” “nobody,” “nothing,” adverbs “nowhere,” “never,” conjunctions “neither… nor.”

Be careful with abbreviations. Don’t repeat the word denoted by one of the letters. Don’t write “ATM machine” — letter “M” stands for “machine.” The same is with the CMS system, HIV virus, CEO officer, etc.

Avoid pleonasm. When you write about the time in English, use either “p.m.” or “in the evening” with hours. Remember that “autobiography” is a story of your life and don’t call it “my autobiography” or “autobiography of my life.”

Use intensifiers appropriately. You rarely need “very,” “extremely,” “especially,” “even” to highlight the modified part of a phrase. Try choosing a more expressive adjective or adverb instead of creating another redundant example.

Remove unnecessary phrases. “First and foremost,” “in my opinion,” “actually,” “it is common knowledge” — when you use redundant phrases in a sentence, you don’t make them more important, only longer (and sometimes more difficult to understand).

Look up a word in a dictionary. When you want to use a borrowed word, check its origin or meaning. For example, people who know that dilemma means “a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made” don’t write about “difficult dilemmas.”

Shorten the text. Leave out words and phrases that are redundant in a sentence and don’t change its meaning when removed. If you use redundant words to reach a required word limit, find several important facts instead.

Use tools for an online check. Double-check is always a good idea. Open RobotDon, paste your text and wait a few seconds to see the result. The information on redundant phrases is included in the report.

How redundant phrases checking is connected to RobotDon tool

RobotDon is an essay checker used for detecting plagiarized parts of a paper and predicting a grade. Essay plagiarism check, however, isn’t the only helpful feature. Users can also:

find spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes;
analyze the readability score and fix reading convenience;
see redundant phrases and misused parts of speech;
view suggestions for replacement;
get rid of repetitive words;
get tips and tricks on paper editing.

Redundant phrases are on a list of things RobotDon checks and helps to correct. This is AI software which can easily find all the mistakes you might have missed. If you feel that rewriting a paper is too much, you can ask essay editors to improve your essay by leaving a request on RobotDon page.

When to Use a Comma: Basic Rules For Students

In the age of digitalization and communicating through abbreviated messages, sound knowledge of punctuation is almost a superpower. Start from learning when to use a comma, the most frequently used mark. Rules can be tricky, and some exceptions can be difficult to remember. To make it all easier, you can come up with associations or notable examples from the best essay writing checker RobotDon. We decided to be the ones who help you with this.

What is a comma and why do we use it?

Let’s start from the basics. A comma is a punctuation mark that looks like a hook, which is used in writing to separate words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence. Its purpose is to designate intonation on paper. Comma punctuation helps to specify and deliver the meaning of a written message.

Why writers use these punctuation marks? Proper comma usage shapes a text, makes it clear, better structured, emotional. Sometimes writers break common rules and use punctuation in their own way, mostly in order to emphasize a particular part, to slow down or speed up particular events, to express tension, etc. Thus, it becomes another tool of expression.

When to use a comma in a sentence: 13 simple rules

#1. Use it to indicate a short pause in a sentence. Its placement is required between all objects/creatures mentioned in the sentence. It also divides parts of a sentence that deliver different messages.

Incorrect: Between a movie and a book I’ll choose a book.

Correct: Between a movie and a book, I’ll choose a book.

Tip: Read aloud what you’ve written to check whether there is a pause. Then read it closely again to make sure it looks logical.

#2. Use it after words however, therefore, moreover, furthermore. These and other introductory words should always be separated from the rest of the sentence, just like appositives that stand at the beginning.

Incorrect: Moreover you get the 7-day trial period.

Correct: Moreover, you get the 7-day trial period.

Tip: Always separate linking words from the rest of the sentence.

#3. Don’t put commas between two nouns in compound subjects or predicates, unless one of them is parenthetical. If words form a compound subject, they don’t come as listings. Even if one part is a long verb phrase, it shouldn’t be separated.

Incorrect: I bought a pair of jeans and a green jacket.

Correct: I bought a pair of jeans and a green jacket.

Tip: Check if these words have the same weight. If yes, they shouldn’t be separated.

#4. Use commas between multiple adjectives. Adjectives that relate to the same noun or modify the same object. However, there are nuances regarding when to put a comma between multiple adjectives. According to the Oxford Style Manual approach to grammar, adjectives are categorized as classifying and qualitative. Commas are required only between adjectives of the same category.

Incorrect: 1) He entered the room with bright colorful wallpapers. 2) It was a new, red car.

Correct: 1) He entered the room with bright, colorful wallpapers. 2) It was a new red car.

Tip: Use commas between adjectives that characterize common aspects or classes: color, feeling, material, etc., describe a feature from the same perspective.

#5. Divide two independent clauses with commas, if you want to join them in one sentence. There are dependent clauses that cannot stand on their own, even in case they contain subject and predicate. If these clauses start a sentence, they are separated.

Incorrect: It was a rainy evening we stayed at home.

Correct: It was a rainy evening, we stayed at home.

Tip: Check if both clauses make sense separately. If yes, put a comma there.

#6. Use commas within a comparison. Place it before “compared to,” “like how,” “just as,” and similar link phrases require this punctuation mark before them. Don’t use it before “than” in comparisons.

Incorrect: It was an easy task compared to our previous essay.

Correct: It was an easy task, compared to our previous essay.

Tip: Read what you’ve written to check if you make a pause before the conjunction. You don’t stop only before “than.”

#7. Separate a question from a statement by placing a comma between them. A question tag is featured not only in tail questions. Some words and phrases at the end of the statement turn it into question and encourage readers to answer.

Incorrect: You like this English movie right?

Correct: You like this English movie, right?

Tip: Commas mark the end of the statement instead of a dot.

#8. Highlight additional or non-essential information about a noun. It can be an explanation or specification of information, an offset negation, a shift that occurs in the sentence or thought process, a parenthetical element, etc. All these things are separated from the rest of the sentence according to comma rules.

Incorrect: My pets, especially chinchillas require a lot of care.

Correct: My pets, especially chinchillas, require a lot of care.

Tip: Everything that can be left out without changing the meaning is marked by commas from both sides.

#9. Put a comma to introduce or interrupt direct quotations that are shorter than three lines. This mark is always used when attributing short quotes, though its place depends on quote type. The comma goes outside quotation marks when attribution precedes the quote and goes inside quotation marks if it follows the quote.

Incorrect: He said “This is where we’ll go.” / “This is where we’ll go” he said.

Correct: He said, “This is where we’ll go.” / “This is where we’ll go,” he said.

Tip: Check if it looks nice and neat.

#10. Add this punctuation mark in direct addresses and dates. It separates each element in an address (street, city, state, zip code) and full date (weekday, month and day, year). Using commas is necessary after city-state combination and any date combination within a sentence.

Incorrect: 1) Deliver the package to 48 Madison Street New York NY. 2) It happened on sunny Tuesday May 25 2008.

Correct: 1) Deliver the package to 48 Madison Street, New York, NY. 2) It happened on sunny Tuesday, May 25, 2008.

Tip: Each part is a separate piece of information, micro-message that has its boundaries.

#11. Always place a comma before “but” in independent clauses. However, if “but” connects an independent clause with a dependent one, it is not necessary.

Incorrect: He was running fast but the bus left two minutes before the scheduled time.

Correct: He was running fast, but the bus left two minutes before the scheduled time.

Tip: If both parts make sense separately, divide them with a proper mark.

#12. Put a comma before “and” in case it links two independent clauses. Remember that two clauses of a compound sentence are always divided, no matter whether conjunctions are used or not.

Incorrect: It is my new apartment and I like it a lot.

Correct: It is my new apartment, and I like it a lot.

Tip: If both clauses sense separately, put a comma between them.

#13. Don’t forget about Oxford comma. It is used in listings before “and” that adds the last component in a sequence.

Incorrect: Clothes, toys, books and candy wrappers were scattered all over the room.

Correct: Clothes, toys, books, and candy wrappers were scattered all over the room.

Tip: Just divide all items on the list.

The most common comma mistakes in students’ essays

School, college, and university students tend to make similar errors in their essays. Punctuation is tricky sometimes. If you don’t know how to use commas in some specific cases and try to check a sentence using one of those you’ve learned, it is easy to make grammar mistakes or try our comma checker tool. We picked the rules for the most common cases observed in students essays.

Don’t put a comma before “because,” except the cases when a clause that contains it contradicts an explained clause.
Comma before “please” is required only in case it starts a dependent clause. Don’t use it after “please,” unless you want to express irritation.
When two or more separate adjectives appear before a noun, commas are appropriate in case they coordinate with one another.
If you can change the order of adjectives or place “and” between them without changing the sense, no need to put a comma there.
The sets of correlative conjunctions (either … or, neither … nor, both … and, not only … but, etc.) are not separated by commas.
A comma before “too” is needed in case it stands in the middle of the sentence; before “such as” is required in case it is a part of nonrestrictive clause (can be taken out without changing the meaning).

5 Common Grammatical Errors in English

Speaking English fluently isn’t the same as knowing perfect grammar. Even if you are a native speaker, you can make grammatical errors!

Grammar is the key to master any language. But there are some errors that can turn your life upside down. We all learn grammar as children, but we do not really focus on it. If you have practicing language at the university level, that is when the actual grammar will kick in, and you will be like “We never learned such things.”

English grammar can be really tricky, especially for students. Even when you think you know all the rules perfectly, you don`t stop asking yourself whether I`m using the right “that” or “which” and where to put a comma. Now you are in safe! These quick and helpful rules are easy to remember. 5 simple and understandable examples will lead you through the most common grammatical errors.

grammar mistakes

Why Grammar is Important

Grammar is generally the first thing to be tested, and the content comes second in any writing. This becomes, especially difficult for those people who love to write and would love to make a career as an online writer, author, a reporter, or anywhere in the academic writing field. Whenever you are doing assignments, you must have seen rules like “no plagiarism” and “no grammatical errors have to be tolerated.”

All your papers are actually tested using sophisticated software where errors can show up. This could lower the mark for students when they actually worked really hard for the project. This does not mean that you are inefficient. Languages are always like this, always full of exceptions and irregularities. Most of the time, you do not know where the mistake is. Therefore, we have got the most common grammar mistakes.

The Most Popular Mistakes to Avoid in the Future

The below mistakes have been found based on internet research. They have been agreed upon by English language majors. As per famous English language enthusiasts, grammar mistakes show that you do not respect the reader and that you are lazy. Additionally, a minor grammatical mistake can change the meaning totally. Now, let us countdown the worst mistakes which are also the most common errors in the English language:

1. Incorrect verb according to the subject

The subject of the sentence (the main person or thing that is doing the actual work) must be appropriately agreed with the verb. Mostly, there are problems with has, have or was, were. Then there are some subjects which always require the verb in either singular or plural form. For example:

Incorrect: There were a few people who have bicycles.

There is plural in the subject, therefore, the verb must also be the same (have for plural and has for singular):

Correct: There are few people who have bicycles.

2. Misplaced comma

This is one grammatical error which people with Ph.D. might also make. Proper comma usage has never been given so much prominence, but in reality, it does affect the sentence deeply. Also, as kids, we learned punctuations and always try to prevent yourself from punctuation errors, but this one seemed to be the easiest one. You need to put the comma afterwords also like, therefore, and additionally. Sometimes, people make up a big sentence and put commas in between. This makes the sentence hard to understand. Be careful of this guy! Example:

Incorrect: He, on the other hand, didn’t even go to meet her.

There should be a comma before “on” and after “hand”:

Correct: He, on the other hand, didn’t even go to meet her.

Another example:

Incorrect: He said that he would come to the restaurant, later on, he just canceled by saying that he was busy and finally I understood that he did not want to meet me.

You can see that this sentence is too long and difficult to understand. Plus, there should be a comma after “on.”

3. The/a or no article

This is the mistake, people may commit often. You need to remember some basic rules about countable nouns that require either “the” or “a” and uncountable nouns where plural things do not require any articles. Also, the usage of “a” and “the” depends on whether it is your first time when you mention the object or second, and many other factors. Example:

Incorrect: Could you give me paper?
Correct: Could you give me a paper?

4. Between and among

“Among” should be used when you have a choice from several things and “between” when you must choose between 2 things. Example:

Incorrect: I found it difficult to choose between many styles of dresses.
Correct: I found it difficult to choose among many styles of dresses.

5. Confusing homophones

Homophones are similar sounding words but they absolutely different meanings. Sometimes, these confused words can make your hard work go waste. It might be confusing to choose which one to put. It is advisable to know the meanings and use them. If you do not know the meaning, do not use it or it is better to use a different word or try to explain with a different phrase. Example:

Incorrect: I excepted the offer at my job.
Correct: I accepted the offer at my job.

What can help me stay on good terms with grammar?

Those are the mistakes that students make most of the time while writing their assignments, for example use redundant phrases. It might not be a big deal now, but later on, the mistakes will become the biggest hindrance in your career.

You must be asking how to prevent bad grammar? Some simple ways to avoid bad grammar is to start realizing the mistake every time there is a mistake. Another simple way is to use some application or Google extension that can help you with correcting the mistakes while you write, or use our essay checker and free essay plagiarism checker.

Also, you can try doing some random grammar exercises. They actually prove to be the eye-opener for many people.

11 Grammar Rules That Will Turn You Into A Professional Writer

No matter whether you major in English literature, physics, or marketing, one thing is apparent – you are going to write a lot. You might be working on the essay, a scientific paper or a research project but it doesn’t change the crucial importance of knowing and applying English grammar rules.

Even in number-driven scientific fields like math or engineering, your academic and professional success still massively depends on your ability to put words together. Preferably if these words are written the right way. Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of exceptions and memorize-only rules – the punctuation and spelling can be logical. Also, you can try essay checker at Robotdon to prevent yourself from grammar errors.

To make that even easier, we collected 11 basic grammar rules that will boost your writing skills and academic performance. Save and print them, and just apply to practice.

№1 – Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding ‘s

Yes, even after the letter s in the noun. Follow the examples below:

This was written in Francis’s diary.

The last Faith’s hope was taken away that day.

You might have heard that after using a noun that ends with s, we put an apostrophe, with no letters after. Now, however, in most cases of academic writing, this is not the case at all. A letter s at the end of the possessive form simplifies comprehension, and therefore, should be used with no exceptions.

№2 – Do not break one sentence in two

To avoid writing long, complicated sentences, authors often jump to another extreme, starting breaking phrases, tearing up the logical connections. Take a look at the following examples:

The wrong way: PepsiCo also donates art supplies to public schools. The company has endowed a $100,000 annual fund for the Brooklyn Museum to purchase new works.

The right way: PepsiCo also donates art supplies to public schools and has endowed a $100,000 annual fund for the Brooklyn Museum to purchase new works.

If you want to tight two logically connected thoughts, use commas for that. While using periods and making sentences shorter certainly simplifies comprehension, it also breaks the rhythm of the phrase. Therefore, for connected thoughts, use commas.

№3 – To define the number of the verb, identify the number of the subject

This rule is really simple to follow in short sentences – we know how to do it from early years.

The cat runs in the garden. The cats run in the garden.

However, there are also more complex cases where it’s easier to get lost. A common roadblock is the wrong choice of the verb form in a relative clause ‘one of many.’ Take a look at the example of often-made mistakes, and you’ll see that you made one or two yourself.

Only one of many students understand the task.

You take a look at the plural noun ‘students’ and mistakenly put the plural form of the verb. However, if you first identified the subject of the sentence, you’d know that it’s not the plural noun ‘students’ but ‘one.’ Therefore, the singular form is the right one here.

The example of the right from usage: None of us is perfect. Many of us are wrong.

№4 – The use of a participial phrase with a wrong noun

This principle sounds somewhat complicated, but in truth, it’s straightforward. Consider the sentence:

Walking in the forest, my hat flew away.

In this sentence, the participial phrase concerns a person who walks the forest, not the hat. Judging from the structure of the phrase, however, it’s difficult to make sense of what’s written.

That’s why, for correct understanding, a writer should rebuild a sentence and introduce a subject in a clear way.

Walking in the forest, I saw that my hat flew away.

Let’s practice with other examples:

Doing my homework, the laptop shut down. – When I was doing my homework, the laptop shut down.

Young and happy, the day seemed amazing to me. – Young and happy, I couldn’t help but notice that the day is amazing.

№5 – Prefer active voice to passive forms

Simply put, instead of saying ‘The task is done by me,’ go with a more understandable option: ‘I did the task.’

Even though the passive voice tends to seem more poetic, it is also easy to misinterpret. Active voice, with its concise structure, provides written clarity which stands behind any correct grammar usage.

Example:

Instead of: The research, performed by Harvard professor, isn’t clear,

Do: Harvard professor performed unclear research.

№6 – Avoid using ‘not.’

The example is actually the name of the rule itself. Instead of saying a vague ‘do not use ‘not,’ I preferred the concise and declarative verb ‘Avoid.’ The logic of this rule is easy-to-explain: positive forms with negative meaning convey a much stronger message then a small adverb ‘not.’

You might remember a popular saying that the Universe doesn’t hear the adverb ‘not.’ Well, neither do people. That’s why, whenever writing, mind the following examples:

do not remember – forget

not great – mediocre

not often – rarely

№7 – Do not spell out the dates

How much would you understand from a phrase: ‘In ninety ninety-nine the new album came out’? Instead of just scanning a number, as you would usually do, you had to pay attention and decipher the meaning, hidden by a lot of letters.

Hence, follow the following examples:

June 11, 1790

XXI century

Chapter 20

However, it’s worth noticing that different editorials have various ideas on this account. Some could ask you to spell out statistics and centuries so better find out the specific requirements of your professor, editor, or client.

№8 – Don’t confuse words that sound close or identically

Pay attention to the context to understand which word you need. Also, be aware of phrases or constructions that could be easily confused. Here are just a few most common examples:

alternate – alternative

It’s – its

These – this

№9 – Avoid using the word “very”

The goal of any writing is to transmit a clear message to the reader or listener. The more specific you are in the choice of words, the stronger your writing will be. The word ‘very,’ however, achieves just the opposite effect. The measure of ‘very’ is different for every person and doesn’t get any real emotional response.

№10 – Omit unnecessary words

To do that, revise every text you wrote. In the beginning, all words seem important but during revisions the clarity comes. To make the most out of it, give your mind some time to refocus and move on to another assignment. After at least an hour passed, read what you’ve written again. Don`t forget about redundancy and try to avoid it.

№11 – The simpler, the better

All authors strive to make their writing smart and complex. We want layers of context and emotions so go to synonyms and complicated grammatical structures. The ambition to write intelligently is healthy, and it drives you to the next level, but if you are not sure, it’s okay to go with the simpler option.

How to use these grammar tips?

One advice: write and revise. Save these grammar rules and run by them every new piece. Don’t learn them by heart like poetry or formulas but do edits as you go. Grammar is learned by doing, not by pointless memorizing.

The more you write, revise, and revise again, the better writer you’ll be. Go ahead and start.

Five Ways to Punch Up An Introduction

Introductions are the most powerful tool in your writing arsenal. If you are unable to write a compelling and interesting introduction, you risk losing your reader’s attention. Without attention or interest, a reader has little reason to continue reading what you’re writing down. You can have the most brilliant treatise or ideas on the fourth page of your blog entry or book, but if you don’t have a good one, they’ll never be able to get to it. Fortunately, we have five steps which help you understand how to write an introduction to keep people reading your work!

5: Have a strong hook

Every introduction should have some kind of hook that pulls the reader in. A hook is simply something that grabs their attention and makes them want to read more. Good hooks mainly focus on giving the readers a preview of what is to come. Don’t be afraid to tease the best part of your work! Remember, the goal is to get the reader to keep reading. In today’s information-saturated world, you have only a few moments to capture their attention before it shifts to something else.

4: Share the benefit to the reader immediately.

The first paragraph of your writing is your visit card. If you don`t know how to write an introduction paragraph, this tip is definitely for you! The first question that any reader is going to ask when reading something for the first time will be “is this worth my time?” You must be able to answer that question with a quick “yes” in order to capture their attention. This usually requires a simple value offer. If you notice, in the introduction to this piece, the hook was that introductions are the most important part of writing, and then we immediately offered several ways to punch up your writing. This offer answers the question of value and keeps them reading.

3: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.

An introduction shouldn’t be coy or try to hide the best stuff. Don’t make the reader work to figure out what you’re going to be telling them. Instead, write in a clear and concise manner all of the topics that you will be discussing. This works especially well for longer pieces. For example, if you were writing a paper about developmental psychology in children you might write something like:

Today, I’m going to be writing about how technology affects the mind of a child, how parenting techniques can improve development and the areas of technology that are beneficial to children.

This is detailed enough to give the reader a preview of what is to come. This helps create a wider net, a potential reader might not be interested in the first and second subject, but the third one may be up to their alley. You can appeal to multiple groups of people by letting the audience know exactly what you are going to be covering.

2: Avoid Jargon and Gobbledygook

One of the fastest ways to kill someone’s interest in a paper is to have a long string of large, technical sounding words that only industry insiders understand. So if you don`t know how to start an introduction, don`t start it with jargon words. Language should be clean and accessible to everyone. Knowing your audience is important, some jargon terms are difficult to avoid if you’re writing an introduction to a book on theoretical physics. However, if your writing will be read by the general public, you’ll want to be sure to avoid long, technical words and sentences that become unreadable unless the reader has a dictionary handy.

1: Avoid Narcissism

Talking about yourself in the introduction, unless you are specifically writing a story from your life, generally comes off as a bit narcissistic. Avoid mentioning yourself unless it’s relevant to the work you’re writing and instead try to focus on providing as much value to the reader as possible. Telling a long-winded story about your personal opinions about the subject you’re covering can quickly turn people off, especially if they don’t know who you are. Instead, try to maintain a professional demeanor and focus on the information that you’re delivering, while still staying warm and friendly.

Writing a good introduction isn’t easy, but it is certainly one of the most important parts of the writing process. If you’re struggling to put together a concise you might want to consider using The Robot Don. The Don is a writing checker that evaluates your writing and helps you greatly improve your skills. If you want more writing articles like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Ain’t – It Isn’t A Four-Letter Word

Mixed reactions surround the word ‘Ain’t.’ Some people consider it informal or nonstandard. Some say that it is not even in the dictionary, and therefore, it shouldn’t be considered a word. Others say that most four letter words are profanity and the word ‘ain’t’ can’t be good either because it also contains four letters. The reality is that ‘ain’t’ is gaining popularity in American English. It is used to catch people’s attention both in talks and in writing. The term is used in both music and movies too. Is it possible that ‘ain’t’ isn’t a four-letter word?

This might be a lit bit confusing. Why don’t we go back to the origin of the word ‘ain’t’ to understand how it came about? Let’s look at how pronouns and verbs change when they are turned into negative contractions. For example, the uncontracted positive of ‘you are’ becomes ‘you aren’t.’ ‘We are’ becomes ‘we aren’t,’ and ‘they are’ turns into ‘they aren’t.’ The case is different when it comes to ‘I am.’ It does not follow the trend of the other pronouns. There doesn’t seem to be a negative contraction for ‘am not.’ That is because the combination of are and not comes to ‘aren’t. ‘Isn’t is a combination of is and not. That means that when you combine am and not, you should have ‘amn’t’ as the contraction. That sounds weird, I know. It’s interesting that people from some parts of the world comfortably use ‘amn’t’ and examples include those in Ireland and Scotland. Can you imagine someone saying, “

I amn’t aware of what you are talking about?’

You might truly not knowing what they are talking about if you are listening to the ‘amn’t in the sentence. This is because we have been brought up to think that there is no such thing as ‘amn’t’ and that this type of language is for the uneducated. Other ways of using amn’t that you might hear in the countries mentioned include:

I am late, amn’t I?

I am still in the race, amn’t I?

The English language does not put two nasal consonants together. The term ‘ain’t’ has ‘m’ and ‘n’ as consonants. What happens is that the two are joined to form ‘an’t’. Therefore, the result is ‘ain’t.’ The word didn’t sound right to some people, and others didn’t like it because it seemed different from the other English words. That is why they compared to the rest of the four-letter words, and that has been the case for the last century.

Source: EnjoyEnglish-Blog

There are lots of questions on whether we should even use the word ‘ain’t.’ Therefore, it doesn’t help matters when you misuse it. The main rule surrounding the usage of this word informal speech is that ‘ain’t’ should only be used with ‘I.’ You cannot use ‘they’ he’ or you’ when using ‘ain’t.’ For example, it is wrong to say, “You ain’t sure? She ain’t pretty, or you ain’t allowed to do that. We can comfortably say ‘ain’t I’ instead of ‘aren’t I’. When you think about it, aren’t I is not grammar correct, same as I aren’t. The two words go against the rules of the English language.

When ‘ain’t’ is used in informal speech, it has a lot of freedom. People use when referring to humor. For example, one can say, “it ain’t funny’. It can also be used to provide emphasis. An example is in the sentence, ‘that ain’t the case.’

If you decide to use the term ‘ain’t,’ ensure you do it correctly. If not, you will appear grammatically incorrect. The term has faced lots of attacks. This leaves us wondering what we are supposed to use instead as the negative contraction for am not if amn’t is out of the question strange and ‘ain’t’ is not in the dictionary. Maybe people are not ready to embrace the word ‘ain’t’ but we can confidently say that it is not a four-letter word. When you look at its origin, it has the right to the respect that other English words have. A time may come when everyone might not refer to ‘ain’t as a four-letter word.

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