Expert: Dan Smith - 9/28/2005

Question
In every dictionary I have been able to find, the word "ain't" is listed as "non-standard".  It is my opinion that this does not mean it isn't a word, simply that it is disapproved of by a large body of English teachers, dictionary writers, and mothers.  Is it still acceptable English?  I accept the fact that it is not wise to use it in business writing, but in informal correspondence shouldn't it be acceptable?

For that matter, is there some standards body for American English?  If not, is there any "official" to come to a consensus on what is acceptable English and what is not?  Didn't all English words come into existence only because the rank and file started using them.

Thanks, for your help on this (and the questions I have asked you in the past).  

Answer
"Ain't" is commonly used in both British and American English, but it is most evident in less formal contexts. Whether it is appropriate or not depends on the audience. It is more commonly used in spoken English than in written, often for emphasis.

Most publishers of dictionaries have committees that attempt to judge the extent to which terms are accepted by native speakers or how meanings have changed over time. As you might imagine, compiling a major revision of an unabridged dictionary of any language is a huge project. To my knowledge, no government bodies decide what is "standard" or not. Language is what it is, and lexicographers (those who compile dictionaries) simply try to discover the current state of the language rather than prescribe it.


Hope this helps.